When you're at a C2 level in German, you understand that klagen goes beyond simple complaining. It often implies a more formal or serious complaint, like in a legal context (e.g., to file a lawsuit). You might also see it used in medical contexts, where a patient "klagt über Schmerzen" (complains about pains). It’s not typically used for everyday, minor grumbling. Instead, for trivial complaints, you'd probably opt for verbs like "meckern" or "sich beschweren."
§ Understanding 'klagen'
Alright, let's talk about the German verb 'klagen'. This isn't just about general complaining. It often has a specific nuance, especially when it comes to health or more serious forms of dissatisfaction. Think of it as 'to lament', 'to complain about symptoms', or even 'to file a complaint'. It's more formal and often carries a bit more weight than simply saying 'meckern' or 'sich beschweren', which are more for everyday gripes.
- German Word
- klagen (verb)
- CEFR Level
- B1
- Definition
- To complain (about symptoms); to express dissatisfaction; to lament; to file a complaint.
§ How to Use 'klagen' with Prepositions
The verb 'klagen' frequently appears with specific prepositions, which are key to understanding its full meaning. Pay close attention to these pairings:
- klagen über (+ Accusative): This is the most common combination when you're complaining about something. It's used for symptoms, problems, or general dissatisfaction.
- klagen gegen (+ Accusative): This combination means 'to file a complaint/suit against someone/something'. This is for more legal or formal complaints.
- klagen um (+ Accusative): This means 'to lament for/about' or 'to mourn for'. It's used in the context of grief or loss.
§ Examples with 'klagen'
Let's look at some practical examples to nail down how to use 'klagen' correctly in sentences. Notice how the prepositions change the meaning.
Der Patient klagt über starke Kopfschmerzen.
The patient complains about severe headaches. (Here, 'klagen über' is used for a medical symptom.)
Sie klagte über die schlechte Qualität des Services.
She complained about the poor quality of the service. (This is 'klagen über' for general dissatisfaction.)
Die Firma will gegen den Konkurrenten klagen.
The company wants to sue the competitor. (Here, 'klagen gegen' is used for a legal action.)
Sie klagt um ihren verlorenen Ehemann.
She laments/mourns for her lost husband. (This is 'klagen um' for expressing grief.)
§ Verb Conjugation of 'klagen'
'Klagen' is a regular (weak) verb, which means its conjugation is straightforward. Here are the conjugations in the present tense (Präsens) for your reference:
- ich klage (I complain)
- du klagst (you complain - informal singular)
- er/sie/es klagt (he/she/it complains)
- wir klagen (we complain)
- ihr klagt (you complain - informal plural)
- sie/Sie klagen (they/you complain - formal)
And for the past tense (Präteritum) and present perfect (Perfekt):
- Präteritum: ich klagte, du klagtest, er/sie/es klagte, wir klagten, ihr klagtet, sie/Sie klagten
- Perfekt: ich habe geklagt (I have complained)
§ Common Phrases with 'klagen'
Here are a few more common phrases where you might encounter 'klagen':
- Klage einreichen: To file a complaint/lawsuit. This emphasizes the formal aspect.
- Klage erheben: Similar to 'Klage einreichen', meaning to bring a charge or file a lawsuit.
- über sein Schicksal klagen: To lament one's fate. This is a more figurative use of 'klagen um'.
Er möchte eine Klage gegen die Baufirma einreichen.
He wants to file a lawsuit against the construction company.
Man sollte nicht ständig über sein Schicksal klagen.
One shouldn't constantly lament one's fate.
Keep practicing these examples, and you'll get the hang of 'klagen' in no time. It's a useful verb with various applications, so understanding its nuances will definitely boost your German skills. Viel Erfolg!
수준별 예문
Die Anwohner klagen über den Lärm der Baustelle, der bis spät in die Nacht andauert.
The residents complain about the construction noise that continues late into the night.
Here, 'klagen über' (to complain about) takes the accusative case.
Obwohl er seit Wochen unter starken Kopfschmerzen klagt, weigert er sich, einen Arzt aufzusuchen.
Although he has been complaining of severe headaches for weeks, he refuses to see a doctor.
In this context, 'klagen unter' implies suffering from a condition.
Sie klagte ihrem besten Freund ihr Leid über die Trennung von ihrem langjährigen Partner.
She poured out her heart to her best friend about the breakup with her long-term partner.
'Jemandem sein Leid klagen' is an idiom meaning 'to complain about one's suffering to someone'.
Es ist bekannt, dass viele Arbeitnehmer über den hohen Druck und die schlechte Bezahlung klagen.
It is well-known that many employees complain about the high pressure and poor pay.
Another instance of 'klagen über' with the accusative.
Nach dem langen Flug klagte sie über Jetlag und fühlte sich völlig erschöpft.
After the long flight, she complained of jet lag and felt completely exhausted.
Here, 'klagen über' is used to express a physical ailment.
Trotz der Verbesserungen im Service klagen einige Kunden immer noch über lange Wartezeiten.
Despite the service improvements, some customers still complain about long waiting times.
This sentence shows 'klagen über' in a context of ongoing dissatisfaction.
Die Opposition klagte die Regierung öffentlich wegen ihrer umstrittenen Politik an.
The opposition publicly accused the government of its controversial policies.
'Jemanden anklagen' means 'to accuse someone'.
Er neigt dazu, bei jeder Kleinigkeit zu klagen, anstatt nach Lösungen zu suchen.
He tends to complain about every little thing instead of looking for solutions.
'Bei jeder Kleinigkeit klagen' implies a habitual tendency to complain about minor issues.
자주 혼동되는 단어
This is a very common synonym for 'to complain'. While 'klagen' is often about physical symptoms or general dissatisfaction, 'sich beschweren' can be used more broadly for formal or informal complaints.
This is an informal verb meaning 'to grumble' or 'to moan'. It's often used for minor, repetitive complaints, sometimes with a negative connotation.
This verb means 'to wail', 'to moan', or 'to lament'. It suggests a more emotional or theatrical form of complaining, often about misfortune or hardship.
문법 패턴
혼동하기 쉬운
Sounds similar to 'klagen'.
'Klacken' means 'to click' or 'to clack', referring to a sharp, short sound.
Die Tastatur klackt laut. (The keyboard clicks loudly.)
Looks somewhat similar due to '-agen' ending.
'Fragen' means 'to ask'. It's unrelated in meaning to 'klagen'.
Ich möchte dich etwas fragen. (I want to ask you something.)
Looks somewhat similar due to '-agen' ending.
'Schlagen' means 'to hit' or 'to beat'. It's unrelated in meaning to 'klagen'.
Er schlägt den Ball. (He hits the ball.)
Sounds somewhat similar.
'Klären' means 'to clarify' or 'to resolve'.
Wir müssen das Missverständnis klären. (We need to clarify the misunderstanding.)
Shares 'Lage' letters, but it's a noun.
'Lage' (noun) means 'situation' or 'location'. 'Klagen' is a verb.
Die Lage ist ernst. (The situation is serious.)
문장 패턴
Subjekt + klagt.
Der Patient klagt. (The patient complains.)
Subjekt + klagt + über + Akkusativ.
Er klagt über Kopfschmerzen. (He complains about headaches.)
Subjekt + klagt + wegen + Genitiv.
Sie klagt wegen des Lärms. (She complains because of the noise.)
Subjekt + klagt + darüber, dass + Nebensatz.
Wir klagen darüber, dass die Preise steigen. (We complain that the prices are rising.)
Subjekt + klagt + auf + Akkusativ.
Er klagt auf Schadensersatz. (He sues for damages.)
Subjekt + klagt + vor + Dativ (Gericht) + gegen + Akkusativ (Person/Institution).
Die Firma klagt vor Gericht gegen ihren ehemaligen Mitarbeiter. (The company sues its former employee in court.)
Subjekt + klagt + über + Akkusativ (Mangel).
Viele Menschen klagen über einen Mangel an Motivation. (Many people complain about a lack of motivation.)
Subjekt + klagt + über + Akkusativ (allgemeine Missstände).
Die Opposition klagt über die schlechte Wirtschaftspolitik der Regierung. (The opposition complains about the government's poor economic policy.)
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Both mean 'to complain', but 'klagen' often implies a more serious or official complaint, like in court or about health. 'Beschweren' is more general, for everyday complaints. Think of it this way: you 'klagen' über Schmerzen (complain about pain), but you 'beschweren' dich über schlechten Service (complain about bad service).
Yes, 'klagen' always carries a negative connotation. You wouldn't 'klagen' about good news or a pleasant experience. It's about expressing dissatisfaction, sorrow, or pain.
You can use it, but it's less common than 'sich beschweren über' or 'meckern über'. If you 'klagen über jemanden', it often implies a more formal complaint or even legal action. For general griping about a person, 'meckern' is more appropriate. Example: Sie klagt über ihren Nachbarn (She complains about her neighbor – might imply legal issues). Sie meckert über ihren Nachbarn (She grumbles about her neighbor – more informal).
The most common preposition with 'klagen' is über (about). Example: Er klagt über Kopfschmerzen. (He complains about headaches.)
It's generally more formal than 'meckern' or 'jammern'. While you can use it in everyday speech, it has a more serious or official tone. Think of it as 'to lament' or 'to lodge a complaint'.
It's a regular verb. Here's how it goes:
Ich klage
Du klagst
Er/Sie/Es klagt
Wir klagen
Ihr klagt
Sie/sie klagen
Example: Der Patient klagte über starke Schmerzen im Bein. (The patient complained about severe pain in the leg.)
The simple past (Präteritum) is 'klagte' and the present perfect (Perfekt) is 'hat geklagt'. Example Präteritum: Er klagte gestern. (He complained yesterday.) Example Perfekt: Sie hat oft geklagt. (She has often complained.)
A common one is 'sein Leid klagen', which means 'to lament one's fate' or 'to pour out one's heart about one's troubles'. Example: Er kam zu mir, um sein Leid zu klagen. (He came to me to lament his troubles.)
The noun form is 'die Klage' (the complaint, the lament, the lawsuit). Example: Sie reichte eine Klage ein. (She filed a lawsuit.)
셀프 테스트 24 질문
Er ____ immer über das Wetter.
To complain about something, you use 'klagen'.
Die Patientin ____ über starke Kopfschmerzen.
When someone describes symptoms, 'klagt' is the right word.
Warum ____ du immer über alles?
The verb 'klagen' is conjugated here for 'du'.
Sie ____ über den schlechten Service im Restaurant.
When expressing dissatisfaction, 'klagen' is used.
Wir ____ nicht oft, aber heute ist es wirklich schlecht.
The verb 'klagen' is conjugated here for 'wir'.
Meine Oma ____ manchmal über ihre Knie.
To describe symptoms, 'klagen' is appropriate.
Was bedeutet 'klagen'?
'Klagen' means to complain.
Welches Wort passt am besten in den Satz: 'Sie ___ über Magenschmerzen.'
You 'klagt' (complain) about stomach aches.
Wenn jemand unzufrieden ist, könnte er __________.
If someone is dissatisfied, they might complain ('klagen').
Man kann über Schmerzen klagen.
Yes, 'klagen' is used when talking about complaining about symptoms like pain.
Wenn man glücklich ist, klagt man.
No, if you are happy, you do not complain. 'Klagen' is about expressing dissatisfaction.
Die Leute klagen, wenn sie mit etwas unzufrieden sind.
Correct, 'klagen' means to express dissatisfaction.
The correct order is Subject (Patienten), Verb (klagen), Adverb (oft), Prepositional Phrase (über Schmerzen).
The correct order is Subject (Sie), Verb (klagt), Adverb (immer), Prepositional Phrase (über die Arbeit).
The correct order is Subject (Er), Verb (klagte), Prepositional Phrase (vor Gericht), and another Prepositional Phrase (wegen ungerechter Behandlung).
This sentence structure places the subject 'Die Leute' first, followed by the verb 'klagen', then the adverb 'überall' and finally the prepositional phrase 'über gestiegene Preise'.
The correct order is subject (er), verb (hatte), negation (nicht), noun (Grund), and finally the infinitive phrase with 'zu' (zu klagen).
Start with the subject 'Sie', then the verb 'klagt', the adverb 'immer', and the prepositional phrase 'über ihre Nachbarn'.
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
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health 관련 단어
abhängig
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