chiar

Senses

1. 1.

   to squeak, to screech

   to make a high-pitched sound (like a door hinge, brakes, or small animal)

2. 2.

   to hiss, to sizzle

   to make a continuous sharp sound (like frying oil or steam escaping)

3. 3.

   to complain, to whine

   to express dissatisfaction in an annoying or persistent way (informal)

Examples

• "A porta do quarto chia toda vez que eu abro."

  The bedroom door squeaks every time I open it.

• "O óleo começou a chiar na frigideira."

  The oil started to sizzle in the frying pan.

• "Ele vive chiando sobre o trabalho, mas nunca faz nada para mudar."

  He's always complaining about work, but never does anything to change it.

Usage

Common verb used for both literal sounds (mechanical squeaks, sizzling) and figurative complaints. The figurative sense of "complain" is informal and slightly pejorative. Often appears with "de" when complaining about something: "chiar de dor" (cry out in pain) or "chiar da vida" (complain about life).