grumble

/ˈɡrʌmbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡrʌmbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgrəm-bəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɡrʌm.bəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡrʌm.bəl/ (ame, ipa)

grumble — 動詞

  • grumblepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • grumbleshe / she / it
  • grumbledpast simple
  • grumbling-ing form

1. to express annoyance or unhappiness in a low or repeated voice, often about mino

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

發牢騷

因不滿而小聲抱怨

to express annoyance or unhappiness in a low or repeated voice, often about minor matters that do not justify such a strong reaction

例句

Selim grumbled about the cold coffee in the staff kitchen every morning.

Selim 每天早上都抱怨員工廚房裡的咖啡是冷的。

grumble + about + noun phrase

Eleni's grandfather often grumbled that nobody wrote letters anymore.

Eleni 的祖父常常咕噥說現在都沒人在寫信了。

grumble + that-clause

同義詞
  • complain

    more general and neutral; does not imply a low or quiet tone

  • moan

    more informal and passive; suggests ongoing unhappiness rather than a specific grievance

  • whine

    more negative; suggests a childish, high-pitched, or irritating tone

反義詞
  • praise

    expresses approval instead of annoyance

  • applaud

    shows enthusiastic support, the opposite of complaining

文法句型

grumble + about + noun phrase / gerund

grumble + that-clause

grumble + at + person

用法筆記

Subject is typically a person expressing annoyance. Frequently used with 'about' to specify the cause, or with a that-clause for the content of the grievance. Common in informal contexts — stronger than 'mention' and weaker than 'rage'.

常見錯誤

❌She grumbled him for being late.
✅She grumbled at him for being late.
💡grumble is intransitive; it cannot take a direct object. Use 'grumble at someone'.
❌He grumbled to complain about the food.
✅He grumbled about the food.
💡adding 'to complain' is redundant; grumble already carries the meaning of complaining.

2. to make a low, continuous rumbling noise, describing the sound of a hungry stoma

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

隆隆響

發出低沉連續的轟隆聲

to make a low, continuous rumbling noise, describing the sound of a hungry stomach, distant thunder, or an old machine struggling to work

例句

Nia's stomach grumbled loudly during the silent exam, and everyone turned to look.

Nia 在安靜的考試中肚子大聲咕嚕叫，所有人都轉頭看她。

stomach + grumble + during

Thunder grumbled in the distance as Rafael closed the windows before the storm hit.

遠方雷聲隆隆作響，Rafael 在暴風雨來襲前關上了窗戶。

thunder + grumbles

同義詞
  • rumble

    interchangeable for non-living subjects; more general than grumble

  • growl

    harsher, deeper, and often threatening; used for animals and people

文法句型

stomach + grumble(s)

thunder / pipes / engine + grumble(s)

用法筆記

Most common with stomach as the subject, especially about hunger. For machines and natural phenomena, the sound is deeper and more continuous than a 'growl'. Usually not used for intentional sounds produced by people — use 'growl' for a threatening human sound.

常見錯誤

❌He grumbled to scare the stranger.
✅He growled to scare the stranger.
💡people growl; stomachs and thunder grumble.

grumble — 名詞