klagen über
to complain about
To complain about something negative or express one's suffering about it.
EXAMPLE
Die Mitarbeiter klagen über die hohe Arbeitsbelastung.
The employees complain about the heavy workload.
klagen
to complain / sue / lament
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Meanings
klagen
to sue
To sue a person or institution in court in order to enforce a claim.
EXAMPLE
Der Mieter klagt gegen die ungerechtfertigte Kündigung.
The tenant is suing over the unjustified termination.
klagen
to lament
To express grief or pain loudly and emotionally; to wail.
EXAMPLE
Sie klagte laut, als sie die traurige Nachricht erhielt.
She lamented loudly when she received the sad news.
Usage tips
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning of 'klagen' from the preposition: 'klagen über' means to complain, 'klagen gegen' means to sue someone. Without a preposition in an emotional context, it often means 'to wail' or 'to express grief'.
EXAMPLE
Er klagt über das schlechte Wetter.
He complains about the bad weather.
Word family
The verb 'klagen' is closely connected to the noun 'die Klage'. 'Die Klage' can mean both a complaint and a lawsuit in court.
EXAMPLE
Der Anwalt hat die Klage beim Gericht eingereicht.
The lawyer filed the lawsuit with the court.
Fixed preposition
When you complain about something, always use the preposition 'über' followed by the accusative. This pattern is fixed.
EXAMPLE
Viele Menschen klagen über zu viel Stress bei der Arbeit.
Many people complain about too much stress at work.
Legal context
In the legal sense, 'klagen' is used with 'gegen' + accusative (the person/company) or 'auf' + accusative (the goal, e.g., damages).
EXAMPLE
Das Unternehmen klagt auf Schadensersatz in Höhe von einer Million Euro.
The company is suing for damages amounting to one million euros.
Compare with
klagen vs jammern
to whine / lament
Klagen and jammern can both mean expressing suffering or dissatisfaction. Klagen can remain neutral. Jammern usually characterizes the expression as self-pitying, annoying, or exaggerated.
klagen
Die Fahrgäste klagen über die lange Wartezeit.
The passengers are complaining about the long wait.
jammern
Die Fahrgäste jammern schon wieder über die lange Wartezeit.
The passengers are whining about the long wait again.
In real life
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