{"id":7682,"date":"2026-07-24T00:11:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T00:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/making-complaints-in-english-phrases\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T00:11:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T00:11:07","slug":"making-complaints-in-english-phrases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/ja\/making-complaints-in-english-phrases\/","title":{"rendered":"Making Complaints in English: 25 Phrases | \u82f1\u6587\u6295\u8a34\u53e5\u578b\u8077\u5834\u65e5\u5e38\u5168\u653b\u7565"},"content":{"rendered":"
\nQuick Answer:<\/strong> Making complaints in English means expressing dissatisfaction politely while staying solution-focused. Start with a softener (“I’m sorry to bother you, but…”), clearly state the problem, and suggest what you’d like as a resolution. The 25 phrases in this guide cover workplace complaints, customer service, restaurants, hotels, and everyday situations \u2014 all with Chinese translations.\n<\/div>\n

\u53f0\u7063\u8077\u5834\u4e0a\uff0c\u5f88\u591a\u4eba\u9047\u5230\u554f\u984c\u6642\u4e0d\u77e5\u9053\u600e\u9ebc\u7528\u82f1\u6587\u8aaa\u6e05\u695a\u3002A Microsoft survey of global workers found that unclear communication costs the average employee nearly 7.5 hours per week in wasted time and repeated conversations. Knowing exactly how to make a complaint in English doesn’t just save time \u2014 it protects your professional reputation. The difference between “This is wrong” and “I wanted to flag something I noticed \u2014 could we take a look?” is the difference between sounding aggressive and sounding like someone who gets things fixed.<\/p>\n

\u70ba\u4ec0\u9ebc\u82f1\u6587\u6295\u8a34\u9019\u9ebc\u96e3 (Why Making Complaints in English Feels So Hard)<\/h2>\n

Most Taiwanese English learners already know the vocabulary for complaining. They know words like “problem,” “issue,” and “disappointed.” What trips them up is the packaging \u2014 the softeners, hedges, and diplomatic framing that make a complaint land as professional rather than confrontational.<\/p>\n

In Mandarin Chinese, complaints often rely on tone, context, and shared social understanding. In English, especially in international business settings, the words themselves carry most of the weight. Without the right phrasing, a direct complaint can read as an accusation even when none was intended. That is why mastering specific phrases \u2014 not just vocabulary \u2014 matters so much for making complaints in English.<\/p>\n

5\u500b\u82f1\u6587\u6295\u8a34\u9ec3\u91d1\u539f\u5247 (5 Ground Rules for Polite Complaints in English)<\/h2>\n

Before reaching for a specific phrase, apply these five principles. They hold whether you’re at a hotel front desk, on a customer service call, or raising a concern with a colleague about a missed deadline.<\/p>\n

1. Use a softener.<\/strong> Start with “I’m sorry to bother you, but…” or “I don’t mean to make a fuss, but…” These aren’t signs of weakness \u2014 they’re signals that you’re a professional who doesn’t enjoy conflict and wants a fast resolution.<\/p>\n

2. Separate the fact from the feeling.<\/strong> “The order arrived damaged” is a fact. “I’m really frustrated” is a feeling. Lead with the fact every time. Add the feeling only if you need to convey urgency or seriousness.<\/p>\n

3. Be specific.<\/strong> “The wifi doesn’t work” moves the conversation forward faster than “everything is broken.” Name the exact problem, the time it happened, and the impact it has had.<\/p>\n

4. Suggest a resolution.<\/strong> “I was hoping you could…” or “Would it be possible to…” gives the other person a clear path forward and shows you’re focused on solving the problem, not assigning blame.<\/p>\n

5. Keep the door open.<\/strong> Close with “I appreciate your help with this” or “I look forward to hearing from you.” You want a fix, not a fight. Phrases like this signal that the relationship matters more than winning the argument.<\/p>\n

\u8077\u5834\u82f1\u6587\u6295\u8a34\u53e5\u578b (Workplace Complaint Phrases in English)<\/h2>\n

\"Team<\/p>\n

Workplace complaints require diplomatic phrasing \u2014 these 8 phrases keep the conversation professional<\/em><\/p>\n

Colleagues and managers respond better to complaints that sound like collaboration, not confrontation. These eight phrases cover the most common workplace situations: missed deadlines, unclear instructions, unacknowledged contributions, and workload problems.<\/p>\n

1. “I wanted to flag something that’s been affecting my work.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6211\u60f3\u63d0\u4e00\u4ef6\u5f71\u97ff\u6211\u5de5\u4f5c\u7684\u4e8b\u3002
\nUse this when you need to raise an issue without sounding like you’re blaming anyone directly. It opens the conversation without putting anyone on the defensive.<\/p>\n

2. “I’m not sure if this was intentional, but…”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6211\u4e0d\u78ba\u5b9a\u9019\u662f\u5426\u662f\u6545\u610f\u7684\uff0c\u4f46\u662f\u2026
\nIdeal when a colleague may have overstepped without realizing it. This phrase gives them an easy out while still making the problem clear.<\/p>\n

3. “I feel like my contribution wasn’t fully acknowledged in the meeting.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6211\u89ba\u5f97\u6211\u7684\u8ca2\u737b\u5728\u6703\u8b70\u4e0a\u6c92\u6709\u88ab\u5145\u5206\u627f\u8a8d\u3002
\nFor situations where you didn’t get credit for your work. Specific, calm, and direct \u2014 much better than stewing in silence.<\/p>\n

4. “I’ve been struggling to complete this because I haven’t received the files from the team.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u56e0\u70ba\u6211\u9084\u6c92\u6536\u5230\u5718\u968a\u7684\u6a94\u6848\uff0c\u6211\u4e00\u76f4\u5f88\u96e3\u5b8c\u6210\u9019\u9805\u4efb\u52d9\u3002
\nThis explains a blockage without assigning blame, but still makes the bottleneck visible to whoever needs to fix it.<\/p>\n

5. “Could we revisit the deadline? The scope of this project has grown significantly.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6211\u5011\u53ef\u4ee5\u91cd\u65b0\u8a0e\u8ad6\u622a\u6b62\u65e5\u671f\u55ce\uff1f\u9019\u500b\u9805\u76ee\u7684\u7bc4\u570d\u5df2\u7d93\u5927\u5e45\u589e\u52a0\u4e86\u3002
\nA clean way to push back on an unrealistic timeline. You’re not refusing \u2014 you’re providing context.<\/p>\n

6. “I’ve noticed that [issue]. Is this something we should address as a team?”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6211\u6ce8\u610f\u5230[\u554f\u984c]\u3002\u9019\u662f\u6211\u5011\u61c9\u8a72\u4f5c\u70ba\u5718\u968a\u89e3\u6c7a\u7684\u4e8b\u60c5\u55ce\uff1f
\nFrames your complaint as a shared problem rather than a personal grievance. Managers respond well to this structure.<\/p>\n

7. “I want to be straightforward \u2014 I’ve been feeling overwhelmed with the current workload.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6211\u60f3\u76f4\u8aaa\u2014\u2014\u6211\u5c0d\u76ee\u524d\u7684\u5de5\u4f5c\u91cf\u611f\u5230\u4e0d\u77e5\u6240\u63aa\u3002
\nUse this when speaking directly with a manager about burnout. More honest than hinting, and more professional than breaking down.<\/p>\n

8. “I’d appreciate it if we could discuss this further.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u5982\u679c\u6211\u5011\u80fd\u9032\u4e00\u6b65\u8a0e\u8ad6\u9019\u4ef6\u4e8b\uff0c\u6211\u5c07\u4e0d\u52dd\u611f\u6fc0\u3002
\nA clean close for any workplace complaint that hasn’t been resolved on the spot. It signals that you’re not letting the issue drop.<\/p>\n

For more professional English communication, see our full guide to \u82f1\u6587\u6703\u8b70\u5e38\u7528\u53e5\u578b (meeting English phrases)<\/a> \u2014 essential for anyone working in bilingual offices in Taiwan.<\/p>\n

\u96fb\u8a71\u5ba2\u670d\u82f1\u6587\u6295\u8a34\u53e5\u578b (Customer Service Complaint Phrases by Phone)<\/h2>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

Phone complaints need to be clear and concise \u2014 the person on the other end can’t see your face<\/em><\/p>\n

Phone complaints are harder than in-person ones. You can’t use eye contact or a calm expression to soften your tone. Words do all the work. These phrases are built for calls to airlines, banks, delivery companies, and English-language customer service lines.<\/p>\n

9. “Hello, I’m calling to report a problem with my recent order.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u60a8\u597d\uff0c\u6211\u6253\u96fb\u8a71\u4f86\u662f\u60f3\u53cd\u6620\u6211\u6700\u8fd1\u8a02\u55ae\u7684\u554f\u984c\u3002
\nAlways open by stating your purpose clearly \u2014 the agent has dozens of other calls in the queue. Don’t make them guess why you’re calling.<\/p>\n

10. “I ordered [item] on [date] and it still hasn’t arrived. My order number is [number].”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6211\u5728[\u65e5\u671f]\u8a02\u4e86[\u5546\u54c1]\uff0c\u4f46\u9084\u6c92\u6709\u5230\u3002\u6211\u7684\u8a02\u55ae\u7de8\u865f\u662f[\u865f\u78bc]\u3002
\nFacts first. Order number, date, item \u2014 this gets you faster service than any amount of emotional description.<\/p>\n

11. “I’ve been waiting on hold for 20 minutes. I’d like to speak with a supervisor, please.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6211\u5df2\u7d93\u7b49\u5f85\u4e8620\u5206\u9418\u3002\u8acb\u8b93\u6211\u548c\u4e3b\u7ba1\u8aaa\u8a71\u3002
\nA firm but polite escalation. Note the “please” \u2014 it stays civil even as you push for more.<\/p>\n

12. “Could I get a reference number for this complaint?”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6211\u53ef\u4ee5\u5f97\u5230\u9019\u500b\u6295\u8a34\u7684\u53c3\u8003\u865f\u78bc\u55ce\uff1f
\nAlways ask for this. It locks in the complaint in their system and gives you something concrete if you need to follow up.<\/p>\n

13. “What can you do to resolve this for me today?”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u4eca\u5929\u4f60\u80fd\u70ba\u6211\u505a\u4ec0\u9ebc\u4f86\u89e3\u6c7a\u9019\u500b\u554f\u984c\uff1f
\nDirect and results-focused. This puts the agent in problem-solving mode rather than excuse mode.<\/p>\n

14. “I’d like to escalate this if it can’t be resolved at this level.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u5982\u679c\u9019\u500b\u554f\u984c\u7121\u6cd5\u5728\u9019\u500b\u5c64\u7d1a\u89e3\u6c7a\uff0c\u6211\u60f3\u5347\u7d1a\u8655\u7406\u3002
\nUse it when you’ve genuinely hit a wall \u2014 not as your opening move, or it loses its impact.<\/p>\n

15. “Can you confirm in writing what was agreed during this call?”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u4f60\u80fd\u4ee5\u66f8\u9762\u78ba\u8a8d\u9019\u6b21\u901a\u8a71\u4e2d\u9054\u6210\u7684\u5354\u8b70\u55ce\uff1f
\nEmail confirmation of a verbal promise turns goodwill gestures into real commitments. This one question has saved more disputes than any other phrase on this list.<\/p>\n

\u9910\u5ef3\u548c\u98ef\u5e97\u82f1\u6587\u6295\u8a34\u53e5\u578b (Restaurant and Hotel Complaint Phrases)<\/h2>\n

\"Customer<\/p>\n

Restaurant complaints are some of the most common real-life situations for English learners<\/em><\/p>\n

Travel to an English-speaking country, stay in an international hotel, or eat at a foreign restaurant, and you will eventually need to flag something. These five phrases work across both dining and accommodation contexts.<\/p>\n

16. “Excuse me, I think there may be a mistake with my order.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u4e0d\u597d\u610f\u601d\uff0c\u6211\u89ba\u5f97\u6211\u7684\u9ede\u9910\u53ef\u80fd\u6709\u8aa4\u3002
\n“I think there may be” is far softer than “you got my order wrong.” Start here. Upgrade to a stronger phrase only if this doesn’t get a response.<\/p>\n

17. “I’m afraid this dish isn’t what I ordered. I asked for [dish].”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6050\u6015\u9019\u9053\u83dc\u4e0d\u662f\u6211\u9ede\u7684\u3002\u6211\u9ede\u7684\u662f[\u83dc\u540d]\u3002
\n“I’m afraid” is one of the most useful softeners in English. It signals seriousness without aggression \u2014 study this phrase well.<\/p>\n

18. “I wanted to let you know that the room hasn’t been cleaned.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6211\u60f3\u8b93\u60a8\u77e5\u9053\uff0c\u623f\u9593\u9084\u6c92\u6709\u6253\u6383\u3002
\nFor hotel complaints. Polite, factual, zero accusation. Works at the front desk or via phone to housekeeping.<\/p>\n

19. “We’ve been waiting 45 minutes. Is there an issue with our table’s order?”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6211\u5011\u5df2\u7d93\u7b49\u4e8645\u5206\u9418\u4e86\u3002\u6211\u5011\u9019\u684c\u7684\u9ede\u9910\u6709\u4ec0\u9ebc\u554f\u984c\u55ce\uff1f
\nA better approach than waving impatiently at the nearest waiter. The question format invites a real answer.<\/p>\n

20. “I’d like to speak with the manager, please.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u8acb\u8b93\u6211\u548c\u7d93\u7406\u8aaa\u8a71\u3002
\nSimple, direct, polite. The three-word escalation that works in any service setting worldwide.<\/p>\n

\"Hotel<\/p>\n

Hotel front desks handle complaints in English daily \u2014 knowing the right phrases speeds up your resolution<\/em><\/p>\n

\u65e5\u5e38\u82f1\u6587\u62b1\u6028\u53e5\u578b (Everyday Complaint Phrases in English)<\/h2>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

Everyday complaint situations in English: shopping, deliveries, neighbours, and more<\/em><\/p>\n

Making complaints in English isn’t limited to workplaces and hotel lobbies. These five phrases handle the everyday situations that come up even if you don’t use English at work \u2014 noisy neighbours, faulty products, missing deliveries.<\/p>\n

21. “I’m sorry to bother you, but the noise from your apartment is quite loud. Would you mind keeping it down?”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u5f88\u62b1\u6b49\u6253\u64fe\u60a8\uff0c\u4f46\u60a8\u516c\u5bd3\u7684\u566a\u97f3\u76f8\u7576\u5927\u3002\u60a8\u80fd\u4e0d\u80fd\u5c0f\u8072\u4e00\u9ede\uff1f
\nThe apology at the start isn’t genuine \u2014 it’s a civility signal. Use it. Your neighbour is more likely to comply if they don’t feel attacked.<\/p>\n

22. “This item isn’t working as described. Can I get a refund or an exchange?”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u9019\u500b\u5546\u54c1\u4e0d\u50cf\u63cf\u8ff0\u7684\u90a3\u6a23\u80fd\u6b63\u5e38\u4f7f\u7528\u3002\u6211\u53ef\u4ee5\u9000\u6b3e\u6216\u63db\u8ca8\u55ce\uff1f
\nDirect and practical for retail returns. “As described” is the key phrase \u2014 it connects to the seller’s own claims.<\/p>\n

23. “My package was marked as delivered but I never received it.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6211\u7684\u5305\u88f9\u88ab\u6a19\u8a18\u70ba\u5df2\u9001\u9054\uff0c\u4f46\u6211\u5f9e\u672a\u6536\u5230\u5b83\u3002
\nThe most common delivery complaint in the era of online shopping. Know this one cold.<\/p>\n

24. “I’d like to report a problem with the service at your branch.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u6211\u60f3\u53cd\u6620\u60a8\u5206\u5e97\u7684\u670d\u52d9\u554f\u984c\u3002
\nSlightly formal \u2014 use this for written complaints or formal calls to chains and franchises.<\/p>\n

25. “I appreciate your help with this, but I’m still not satisfied with the outcome.”<\/strong>
\n\u4e2d\u6587\uff1a\u611f\u8b1d\u60a8\u7684\u5e6b\u52a9\uff0c\u4f46\u6211\u5c0d\u7d50\u679c\u4ecd\u7136\u4e0d\u6eff\u610f\u3002
\nFor when a first response wasn’t good enough. Polite but firm \u2014 it’s a signal that you’re not going away.<\/p>\n

\u82f1\u6587\u5ba2\u8a34\u4fe1\u600e\u9ebc\u5beb (How to Write a Complaint Email in English)<\/h2>\n

\"Writing<\/p>\n

A complaint email creates a paper trail \u2014 structure it clearly to get a faster resolution<\/em><\/p>\n

Written complaints give you time to think, but they’re also permanent. A poorly worded email makes you look unreasonable even when your complaint is valid. A clean three-part structure fixes that:<\/p>\n

Opening:<\/strong> “I am writing to bring to your attention an issue I experienced with

<\/div> on [date].” State the purpose in the first sentence \u2014 don’t bury it.<\/p>\n

Body:<\/strong> Two to three sentences describing what happened. Be factual. Include order numbers, dates, and amounts wherever relevant. The more specific you are, the faster you get resolved.<\/p>\n

Resolution request:<\/strong> “I would appreciate [a refund \/ an explanation \/ a replacement] within [timeframe].” Give them a specific ask and a deadline. Vague complaints get vague responses.<\/p>\n

Closing:<\/strong> “Thank you for taking the time to address this. I look forward to your prompt response.” Professional and polite \u2014 ends on a forward-looking note without threatening anything yet.<\/p>\n

For business English across other contexts, our business trip English vocabulary guide<\/a> covers the full range of professional situations from airport check-in to client dinners.<\/p>\n

\u5f71\u7247\u5b78\u7fd2\uff1a\u82f1\u6587\u6295\u8a34\u5e38\u7528\u53e5\u578b (Watch: Complaint Phrases in English)<\/h2>\n
\n