01
belästigen
to bother
To disturb someone, be a nuisance to them, or address them in an unwanted way.
example
Bitte belästigen Sie mich nicht mit Werbeanrufen.
Please don't bother me with advertising calls.
belästigen
to bother / harass
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'belästigen' (to bother/harass) is related to the noun 'die Last' (burden) and the adjective 'lästig' (annoying). So it literally means to become a burden to someone.
EXAMPLE
Seine ständigen Anrufe waren für alle sehr lästig.
His constant calls were very annoying for everyone.
Sentence structure with preposition
To say what someone is being disturbed with, use the preposition 'mit' followed by the dative. The person being disturbed is always in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Der Nachbar belästigt uns jeden Abend mit lauter Musik.
The neighbor bothers us every evening with loud music.
Fixed combination
The meaning of sexual harassment is often made clear by the adverb 'sexuell' (sexually). The combination 'sexuell belästigen' (to sexually harass) is a fixed expression in legal and social contexts.
EXAMPLE
Sie fühlte sich von den anzüglichen Kommentaren sexuell belästigt.
She felt sexually harassed by the suggestive comments.
Compare with
belästigen vs zufrieden
satisfied
'Jemanden zufrieden lassen' (to leave someone alone) and 'belästigen' are clear opposites. If you leave someone alone, you do not disturb that person and let them be in peace. If you 'belästigen' someone, you disturb them in an unpleasant or unwanted way. In everyday use, 'belästigen' can simply mean 'to bother in an annoying way', but it can also be meant very seriously, for example with intrusive or threatening behavior. The practical guideline is: 'zufrieden lassen' means giving someone space; 'belästigen' means disturbing someone in an unwanted way.
belästigen
Der Mann belästigt die Gäste mit lauten Bemerkungen.
The man is bothering the guests with loud remarks.
zufrieden
Bitte lass mich heute Abend zufrieden, ich brauche etwas Ruhe.
Please leave me alone this evening; I need some peace and quiet.
In real life
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