German word

belästigen

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈlɛstɪgn̩/

Meaning

  • verbbother

Example

Er belästigt mich ständig.

He constantly bothers me.

Illustration for belästigen (bother)

More examples

Am Bahnhof belästigen Jugendliche manchmal Passanten.

At the train station, young people sometimes harass passersby.

Core concept

An unwanted person keeps pressing words or actions onto someone until contact feels burdensome.

Common phrases

  • jemanden belästigen

    harass someone

  • ständig belästigen

    constantly harass

  • am Arbeitsplatz belästigen

    harass in the workplace

Similar words

anpöbeln: To aggressively confront someone with insults or abusive language.
aufdrängen: To force unwanted things or opinions on someone.
antasten: To touch someone without consent, causing discomfort or violating personal boundaries.
bedrängen: To pressure someone through persistent approaches, words, or actions.

Definition in German

Jemandem durch ungebetene Worte oder Handlungen wiederholt Kummer oder Ärger bereiten.

Word origin

The verb is formed with be- from lästig, meaning troublesome or annoying, a word related to Last, meaning burden.

Usage tips

  • Belästigen takes an accusative object: jemanden belästigen, while jemandem is not the standard object form.

Other meanings

  • harassverb
  • inconvenienceverb
  • pesterverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Belästigungharassmentnoun
  • Belästigerharassernoun

Word lists with this word