klagen
Translation
to complain, to sue, to lament, to moan
Examples
Er klagt oft über das Wetter.
He often complains about the weather.
Sie will gegen ihren Arbeitgeber klagen.
She wants to sue her employer.
Er klagte mir sein Leid.
He lamented his sorrow to me.
Grammar Patterns
((über+4)) to complain about sth. He complains about headaches.
((gegen+4)) to sue sb./sth. She is suing the company.
((j-m et4)) to lament sth. to sb. He lamented his sorrow to his friend.
Similar Words
Synonyms: sich beschweren, jammern, prozessieren; Antonyms: loben (to praise), preisen (to praise)
Etymology
From Old High German 'klagōn' (to lament). Related to the English word 'clang', perhaps from the idea of a mournful sound.
Memory Tips
Think of someone making a loud, complaining sound ('clang!') in court to file a 'Klage' (lawsuit).