Breakdown of Le col de cette veste est sale, il s'en plaint.
être
to be
il
he
ce
this (before a noun)
de
of / from / any (in negative sentences) / about (concerning)
en
in, to
la veste
the jacket
sale
dirty
le
him, it (masculine direct object pronoun)
se plaindre de
to complain about
le col
the collar
Questions & Answers about Le col de cette veste est sale, il s'en plaint.
Why is en used here instead of a direct object pronoun like le?
What is the infinitive of the verb plaint here?
It comes from the reflexive verb se plaindre (to complain). It is highly irregular. Notice that in the present tense for il/elle/on, the d from the infinitive is dropped, becoming il se plaint.
Wait, doesn't sale mean a discount or promotion?
No, sale is a classic false friend! In French, the adjective sale means "dirty". If you want to talk about a store sale, you would use the noun les soldes.
Could I use manteau instead of veste for "jacket"?
They refer to different garments. A veste is typically a lighter, tailored jacket, like a suit jacket or blazer. A manteau is a longer or heavier winter coat, while a blouson is a casual, usually waist-length jacket.
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