plagen
Translation
to plague, to torment, to bother, to pester
Examples
Zahnschmerzen plagen mich.
A toothache is plaguing me.
Er plagt sich mit der schweren Arbeit.
He is struggling with the hard work.
Grammar Patterns
((j-n)) to plague/bother (sb.) The worries plague him.
sich ((mit+3)) to struggle with (sth.) He is struggling with his homework.
Similar Words
Synonyms: quälen (to torture), belästigen (to harass), stören (to disturb)
Etymology
From Middle High German 'plāgen', related to the noun 'die Plage' (the plague, nuisance).
Memory Tips
Connect it to the English word 'plague'. Imagine being plagued by mosquitos; they 'plagen' you.