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râler

to moan

verb rah-LEH Rare
Communication Speech

Also means

to grumble

Usage Note

Râler is a quintessentially French colloquial verb meaning to complain, grumble, or moan about something (often trivial). It is used affectionately as part of the French national self-image — les Français adorent râler. Râleur/râleuse describes a habitual complainer. It also has a medical sense: to produce a death rattle (râle).

Examples

"Il râle tout le temps mais ne fait rien."

Natural Translation

He grumbles all the time but does nothing.

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