jemanden anklagen
to indict someone
To officially accuse someone of a crime and bring them before a court.
EXAMPLE
Die Staatsanwaltschaft klagt den Mann wegen schweren Betrugs an.
The public prosecutor is indicting the man for serious fraud.
anklagen
to accuse / to indict
anklagen – klagte an – hat angeklagt
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
jemanden anklagen
to accuse someone
To accuse someone of serious wrongdoing or improper conduct, without necessarily involving court proceedings.
EXAMPLE
Die Angehörigen klagen die Verantwortlichen wegen ihrer Untätigkeit an.
The relatives are accusing those responsible of inaction.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry anklagen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | klage an |
|---|---|
| du | klagst an |
| er/sie/es | klagt an |
| wir | klagen an |
| ihr | klagt an |
| sie | klagen an |
Simple past
| ich | klagte an |
|---|---|
| du | klagtest an |
| er/sie/es | klagte an |
| wir | klagten an |
| ihr | klagtet an |
| sie | klagten an |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe angeklagt |
|---|---|
| du | hast angeklagt |
| er/sie/es | hat angeklagt |
| wir | haben angeklagt |
| ihr | habt angeklagt |
| sie | haben angeklagt |
Commands
| du | klage an! klag an! |
|---|---|
| ihr | klagt an! |
| Sie | klagen Sie an! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte angeklagt |
|---|---|
| du | hattest angeklagt |
| er/sie/es | hatte angeklagt |
| wir | hatten angeklagt |
| ihr | hattet angeklagt |
| sie | hatten angeklagt |
Future
| ich | werde anklagen |
|---|---|
| du | wirst anklagen |
| er/sie/es | wird anklagen |
| wir | werden anklagen |
| ihr | werdet anklagen |
| sie | werden anklagen |
Subjunctive I
| ich | klage an |
|---|---|
| du | klagest an |
| er/sie/es | klage an |
| wir | klagen an |
| ihr | klaget an |
| sie | klagen an |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | klagte an |
|---|---|
| du | klagtest an |
| er/sie/es | klagte an |
| wir | klagten an |
| ihr | klagtet an |
| sie | klagten an |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | anklagen |
|---|---|
| with zu | anzuklagen |
| present participle | anklagend |
| past participle | angeklagt |
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anklagen' (to accuse / to indict) is a separable verb. In a main clause, 'an' (the prefix) is separated and placed at the end of the sentence; in a subordinate clause, the verb remains together. With the infinitive marker 'zu' (to), 'zu' comes between the prefix and the verb.
EXAMPLE
Die Staatsanwältin klagt den Verdächtigen an.
The public prosecutor is indicting the suspect.
Das Gericht prüft, ob die Staatsanwaltschaft ihn anklagt.
The court is examining whether the public prosecutor is indicting him.
Es ist schwierig, einen früheren Geschäftspartner anzuklagen.
It is difficult to indict a former business partner.
Case and preposition
The person being accused is in the accusative. The grounds for the accusation are often stated with 'wegen' (because of / for) and the genitive.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Unfall klagte man den Fahrer wegen fahrlässiger Tötung an.
After the accident, the driver was indicted for negligent homicide.
Legal collocations
In its legal meaning, 'anklagen' (to indict) is often used with institutions and crimes. Typical collocations include 'die Staatsanwaltschaft klagt jemanden an' (the public prosecutor indicts someone) and 'jemanden wegen Betrugs, Mordes oder Diebstahls anklagen' (to indict someone for fraud, murder, or theft).
EXAMPLE
Im Herbst wurde die Frau wegen Mordes angeklagt.
The woman was indicted for murder in the fall.
Context clue
Whether court proceedings are meant can often be recognized from words such as 'Staatsanwaltschaft' (public prosecutor's office), 'Gericht' (court), or 'Strafverfahren' (criminal proceedings). With words such as 'Verantwortliche' (those responsible), 'Untätigkeit' (inaction), or 'Schuld' (guilt), 'anklagen' (to accuse) often refers to a serious accusation without a formal indictment.
EXAMPLE
In einem offenen Brief klagen die Eltern die Schulleitung wegen ihres Schweigens an.
In an open letter, the parents are accusing the school administration of remaining silent.
In real life
Loading video examples...