sich beklagen über
to complain about
To complain about something or express dissatisfaction with a situation.
EXAMPLE
Die Gäste beklagten sich über den schlechten Service.
The guests complained about the poor service.
beklagen
to lament / complain about
beklagen – beklagte – hat beklagt
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Meanings
beklagen
to mourn
To mourn someone's death or the loss of something and feel sad about it.
EXAMPLE
Die Familie beklagt den Tod ihres Vaters.
The family mourns the death of their father.
beklagen
to lament
To regret something or judge it as painful and negative.
EXAMPLE
Die Ministerin beklagte den Mangel an bezahlbaren Wohnungen.
The minister lamented the lack of affordable housing.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry beklagen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | beklage |
|---|---|
| du | beklagst |
| er/sie/es | beklagt |
| wir | beklagen |
| ihr | beklagt |
| sie | beklagen |
Simple past
| ich | beklagte |
|---|---|
| du | beklagtest |
| er/sie/es | beklagte |
| wir | beklagten |
| ihr | beklagtet |
| sie | beklagten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe beklagt |
|---|---|
| du | hast beklagt |
| er/sie/es | hat beklagt |
| wir | haben beklagt |
| ihr | habt beklagt |
| sie | haben beklagt |
Commands
| du | beklag! beklage! |
|---|---|
| ihr | beklagt! |
| Sie | beklagen Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte beklagt |
|---|---|
| du | hattest beklagt |
| er/sie/es | hatte beklagt |
| wir | hatten beklagt |
| ihr | hattet beklagt |
| sie | hatten beklagt |
Future
| ich | werde beklagen |
|---|---|
| du | wirst beklagen |
| er/sie/es | wird beklagen |
| wir | werden beklagen |
| ihr | werdet beklagen |
| sie | werden beklagen |
Subjunctive I
| ich | beklage |
|---|---|
| du | beklagest |
| er/sie/es | beklage |
| wir | beklagen |
| ihr | beklaget |
| sie | beklagen |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | beklagte |
|---|---|
| du | beklagtest |
| er/sie/es | beklagte |
| wir | beklagten |
| ihr | beklagtet |
| sie | beklagten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | beklagen |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu beklagen |
| present participle | beklagend |
| past participle | beklagt |
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'beklagen' (to lament / complain about) begins with the inseparable prefix 'be-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb in main clauses, subordinate clauses, and the past participle.
EXAMPLE
Viele Kunden haben sich über die langen Wartezeiten beklagt.
Many customers have complained about the long waiting times.
Fixed preposition
In the meaning 'sich beschweren' (to complain), 'beklagen' is used reflexively with 'sich über'; 'über' is followed by the accusative here.
EXAMPLE
Viele Anwohner beklagen sich über den nächtlichen Lärm.
Many residents complain about the noise at night.
Typical collocations
When referring to mourning, 'beklagen' (to mourn) is often used with words such as 'den Tod' (the death), 'den Verlust' (the loss), or 'das Ableben' (the passing) of a person.
EXAMPLE
Die Stadt beklagt den Verlust eines engagierten Bürgermeisters.
The city mourns the loss of a dedicated mayor.
Negative conditions
In this meaning, 'beklagen' (to lament) is often used with a specific shortage, problem, or negative consequence that is publicly or explicitly criticized.
EXAMPLE
Die Ärztinnen beklagen den Mangel an Pflegepersonal in den Kliniken.
The doctors lament the shortage of nursing staff in the hospitals.
In real life
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