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mobben
to bully
To systematically and repeatedly harass, torment, or socially exclude someone, especially at work or at school.
example
Es ist inakzeptabel, Kollegen am Arbeitsplatz zu mobben.
It is unacceptable to bully colleagues at work.
mobben
to bully
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Meanings
Usage tips
False friend
Although 'mobben' (to bully) comes from the English 'to mob', its meaning in German is more specific. It means systematic harassment or bullying, not just surrounding someone as a crowd.
EXAMPLE
Er wurde in der Schule jahrelang von Mitschülern gemobbt.
He was bullied by classmates for years at school.
Used with accusative
The verb 'mobben' (to bully) is always used with an accusative object. This object is the person who is being harassed.
EXAMPLE
Die Chefin hat ihren neuen Mitarbeiter systematisch gemobbt.
The boss systematically bullied her new employee.
Typical contexts
'Mobben' (to bully) typically takes place in certain social environments. Common contexts are 'in der Schule' (at school), 'am Arbeitsplatz' (at work), or 'im Internet' (online).
EXAMPLE
Mobbing am Arbeitsplatz ist ein ernsthaftes Problem.
Bullying at work is a serious problem.
Often passive
This verb is very often used in the passive to emphasize the victim's perspective. The construction is then 'gemobbt werden' (to be bullied).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat die Schule gewechselt, weil sie dort gemobbt wurde.
She changed schools because she was bullied there.
Compare with
mobben vs ärgern
to annoy / to get annoyed
'ärgern' and 'mobben' can both mean that someone is treated badly or feels bad. But the difference is important. 'ärgern' can be a short or one-time situation: someone makes a joke, provokes someone, or you are annoyed about something. 'mobben' is much stronger and more serious. It happens repeatedly and systematically, often at school or at work. In this case, a person is deliberately harassed or excluded. Learners may confuse the words because both are unpleasant. But not every instance of 'ärgern' is bullying. You only use 'mobben' when it happens again and again and a person is targeted and hurt.
mobben
In der Klasse mobben einige Schüler einen neuen Jungen seit Wochen.
Some students in the class have been bullying a new boy for weeks.
ärgern
Samir ärgert seinen Bruder manchmal mit kleinen Witzen.
Samir sometimes annoys his brother with little jokes.
In real life
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