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"Por" is a preposition which is often translated as "by", and "quejarse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to complain". Learn more about the difference between "por" and "quejarse" below.
por(
pohr
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
5. (by way of)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Has ido a por tu hijo a la escuela?Have you picked up your son from school?
Habrá que ir a por leche cuando lleguemos.We'll need to go out for milk when we get there.
8. (for each)
10. (in place of)
a. for
Yo terminaré el trabajo por ti cuando estés de vacaciones.I'll finish the job for you while you're on vacation.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Está por verse.That remains to be seen.
El asunto está por resolverse.The issue is yet to be resolved.
quejarse(
keh
-
hahr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
1. (to protest)
a. to complain
Voy a quejarme ante la administración acerca del mal servicio en este hotel.I am going to complain to management about the bad service in this hotel.
b. to whine
Pueden quejarse todo lo que quieran, pero no voy a cambiar mi decisión.You can whine all you want, but I'm not going to change my decision.
c. to moan
Deja de quejarte de tu falta de dinero y haz algo para cambiar tu situación.Stop moaning about your lack of money and do something to change your situation.
d. to grumble
Él siempre se está quejando de la mala comida que le dan en la escuela.He is always grumbling about the bad meals they serve at school.
a. to whine
El paciente se retorcía y se quejaba sobre la camilla.The patient squirmed and whined on the stretcher.
b. to moan
Él tenía dolor de estómago y estuvo quejándose toda la noche.He had a stomach ache and was moaning all night.
c. to groan
Mi perro se comió una barra entera de mantequilla y ahora se está quejando de dolor.My dog ate an entire stick of butter and now he is groaning in pain.
d. to complain
Mi mamá se queja de dolor en la cadera siempre que camina por un rato.My mom complains about hip pain whenever she walks for a while.
