IdiomBody & SensesPortuguese

Chorar de barriga cheia

Meaning: To complain when you have nothing to complain about.

Literally: To cry on a full belly

Example: “Ganhou uma viagem e reclama do hotel: está a chorar de barriga cheia.” — He won a free trip and complains about the hotel; he doesn't know how lucky he is.

Origin: Crying on a full belly is complaining while having everything one needs: hunger was the classic reason for a child to cry, so a well-fed child crying has no real cause. The phrase is everyday Brazilian and Portuguese speech with no documented origin.

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