TT logo
You are viewing a low-graphics version of this page. Click the headline to view full version:

Whine vs. Whinge

What's the difference?

Toytown Germany > Discussion forum > Themes > Miscellaneous
randy
Since the other thread is closed... out of curiosity, what's the difference in B.E. for the two words? I had thought they were the same, even pronounced the same. I'd never heard anyone say it, I'd thought the 'g' was silent; but I guess whinge is pronounced "winj". Some examples would be helpful.

Edit: Seems the German translations of each word adds the meaning of "lament" to "whine", but not to "whinge". Would that be the same in B.E.?
magd1272
Whine (pron. wine) = 1. (noun) a high-pitched, unpleasant noise (for example, a dog or an aircraft can whine) 2. (noun) a feeble complaint about something 3. (verb) the act of making a feeble complaint (for example, a child might whine because he's been denied sweets).

Whinge (pron. winj) = essentially the same as meanings 2. and 3. of whine, but a whinge/the act of whingeing is somehow more forceful and peevish than a whine/the act of whining (for example, an adult might whinge if his boss denies him holiday when he wants it).
UrbanAngel
To me personally, whine is an onomatopaeic (sp?) word which represents a nasal drawn out way of speaking when complaining, or when the person didn't get what they wanted i.e. a kid wasn't allowed a new toy car, so they say 'that's not faaaaair' in a whiny voice.

Whinging is also complaining, but in a different tone of voice.
Wheel
Whinging is often complaining to someone who can't help, they're just expected to sympathise. To use magd1272's example, if my boss denies my holiday request I'll argue with him and if he still doesn't agree I might whinge about it to other colleagues.
mere
thanks for clearing this up! i too was a bit confused. oh well i use only whine anyway...
eurovol
Would you like some cheese with that whine?
Showem
[img]http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/uploads/photo-19.jpg[/img]
UrbanAngel
You might whine too, Wheel smile.gif
Wheel
I like to think I stopped whining when I was 5 but maybe not unsure.gif
Topsy
I already answered this yesterday:

QUOTE (Topsy @ Jan 20 2006, 6:02 pm) *
whining and whinging are very similar, but slightly different

whining is something the kids would do in the back of the car (e.g. the constant whine of "are we there yet?")
whinging is endless bleedin complaining about stuff you can't change anyway (e.g. this thread)

smile.gif
You are viewing a low fidelity version of this page. Click to view the full page.