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raunzen

to grumble, to moan, to complain

verb ROWN-tsen Rare
Communication Speech

Usage Note

raunzen is a colloquial verb for persistent, low-level complaining, particularly common in southern Germany and Austria. Unlike klagen (to lament), it implies petty or habitual grumbling rather than serious grievance. The tone is always slightly dismissive.

Examples

"Statt einfach anzupacken, raunzte er den ganzen Morgen über die Arbeitsbedingungen."

Natural Translation

Instead of just getting on with it, he grumbled about the working conditions all morning.

Literal Translation

Instead simply to-get-on-with-it, grumbled he the whole morning over the working-conditions.

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