complaint / ailment
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complaint
An expression of dissatisfaction or criticism about a thing, a service, or a person.
Der Kunde hat beim Management eine offizielle Beschwerde über den schlechten Service eingereicht.
The customer filed an official complaint with management about the poor service.
ailment / complaint
A physical ailment, pain, or health impairment. Very often used in the plural.
Wegen seiner Magenbeschwerden konnte er die Feier nicht genießen.
Because of his stomach complaints, he could not enjoy the party.
legal complaint
A formal legal remedy used to challenge a court or administrative decision.
Gegen den ablehnenden Bescheid kann innerhalb von vier Wochen Beschwerde eingelegt werden.
A complaint can be lodged against the rejection notice within four weeks.
The word 'Beschwerde' (complaint/ailment) comes from the adjective 'schwer' (heavy/difficult). A complaint is therefore literally something that makes a situation 'schwer' (heavy/difficult) or burdensome, whether it is a problem, an illness, or an injustice.
Seine ständigen Beschwerden machen die Zusammenarbeit schwer.
His constant complaints make working together difficult.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Beschwerde' from the verb: an official criticism is often 'eingereicht' (filed) (m01), a physical ailment is something one 'hat' (has) (m02), and a legal remedy is 'eingelegt' (lodged) (m03).
Sie hat eine Beschwerde über den Lärm eingereicht.
She filed a complaint about the noise.
When it is about dissatisfaction, a complaint is often 'eingereicht' (filed), 'vorgebracht' (raised), or one 'führt Beschwerde' (makes a complaint). The preposition is usually 'über' (about) with the accusative.
Wir möchten eine Beschwerde über die mangelhafte Reinigung vorbringen.
We would like to raise a complaint about the inadequate cleaning.
When referring to physical ailments, the plural 'die Beschwerden' (complaints/ailments) is almost always used. The singular is very rare in this meaning.
Der Arzt fragte den Patienten nach seinen Beschwerden.
The doctor asked the patient about his complaints.
In a legal context, the fixed expression 'Beschwerde einlegen' (to lodge a complaint/appeal) is common. The corresponding preposition is 'gegen' (against) with the accusative.
Der Anwalt riet ihm, gegen den Bescheid Beschwerde einzulegen.
The lawyer advised him to lodge a complaint against the notice.
criticism / review
Kritik and Beschwerde can both express dissatisfaction with a service. Kritik identifies errors or weaknesses and can be expressed without making any further demand. A Beschwerde is typically addressed to the responsible office or person so that they can respond to the problem.
An der Rezeption reichte der Gast eine Beschwerde wegen des langsamen Service ein.
At the reception desk, the guest filed a complaint about the slow service.
In einem Gespräch äußerte der Gast Kritik am langsamen Service.
During a conversation, the guest voiced criticism of the slow service.
