moaning

moaning — 動詞

1. To produce a prolonged, low-pitched vocal sound as an involuntary or semi-volunt

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

呻吟

因痛苦或強烈感受發出低沉拖長的聲音

To produce a prolonged, low-pitched vocal sound as an involuntary or semi-voluntary reaction to physical pain, emotional anguish, or a sudden intense physical sensation.

例句

Eve moaned quietly as the physiotherapist pressed on the bruised muscle near her shoulder blade.

物理治療師按到她肩膀附近淤傷的肌肉時，Eve 輕聲呻吟了一下。

moan + adverb (quietly) + as-clause describing the trigger

When the dentist touched the sensitive tooth, Christopher let out a low moan of discomfort.

牙醫碰到那顆敏感牙齒的時候，Christopher 低聲呻吟了一下。

let out + a moan + of + noun (discomfort) — noun phrase variant

同義詞
  • groan

    a similar deep sound but more often signals frustration, irritation, or mild disapproval than physical pain

  • whimper

    a softer, higher-pitched sound of fear or pain, often suggesting helplessness

  • wail

    a louder, more desperate cry, usually sustained and expressing grief or severe distress

文法句型

moan + adverb/prepositional phrase

moan + with + noun

用法筆記

Unlike 'groan', which typically signals frustration or mild displeasure, 'moan' carries a stronger connotation of physical pain or deep emotional distress. In informal contexts it can also indicate sexual pleasure, though this use is register-sensitive and may be misconstrued. The noun form ('a moan') is common in both senses.

常見錯誤

❌He moaned with pleasure when he saw the pizza arrive.
✅He groaned with pleasure when the pizza arrived.
💡'Moan' suggests deeper physical or emotional intensity; 'groan' fits mild satisfaction or humorous frustration better.
❌The building moaned in the strong wind.
✅The building creaked in the strong wind.
💡'Moan' is for living beings making vocal sounds, not for inanimate objects; 'creak' is the correct word for structural noises.

2. To voice persistent complaints or dissatisfaction in a drawn-out, unhappy tone,

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

抱怨；嘀咕

用不滿的語氣長篇嘮叨瑣事

To voice persistent complaints or dissatisfaction in a drawn-out, unhappy tone, typically about minor issues that others may consider unimportant or trivial.

例句

Yael moaned about the slow internet for nearly an hour before fixing it herself.

Yael 抱怨了網路慢將近一個小時，最後才自己動手解決。

moan about + noun phrase — most common pattern

Xiu's colleagues were tired of hearing her moan about the office temperature every single morning.

Xiu 的同事們已經聽膩了她每天早上抱怨辦公室溫度。

同義詞
  • complain

    neutral and more formal; does not carry the whiny or trivialising tone of 'moan'

  • grumble

    to complain quietly or in a low voice, often to oneself rather than to others

  • whine

    to complain in a high-pitched, irritating voice, often suggesting childishness

反義詞
  • praise

    to express warm approval of something or someone

文法句型

moan about + noun/gerund

moan + that-clause

moan to + person + about + noun

用法筆記

Common in informal British and Australian English. 'Moan' implies that the complaint is drawn-out or whiny, whereas 'complain' is neutral. The speaker using 'moan' usually signals mild irritation with the complainer. Not appropriate in formal writing — use 'complain' or 'express dissatisfaction' instead.

常見錯誤

❌The customer moaned about the poor service in a formal letter to the manager.
✅The customer complained about the poor service in a formal letter to the manager.
💡'Moan' is too informal for written complaints; use 'complain' or 'protest' for formal contexts.
❌She moaned to her boss about her heavy workload every day.' (suggests triviality)
✅She raised her concerns about the heavy workload with her boss.
💡'Moan' can make the speaker sound dismissive of the complaint; choose neutral phrasing when the complaint is legitimate.