German Conversation · Level 101
59 words
German word
beschweren
Pronunciation
IPA/bəˈʃveːʁən/
Meaning
- verbcomplain
Example
Ich beschwere mich oft über den Lärm.
I often complain about the noise.
More examples
Er beschwert sich ständig über die Preise.
He is constantly complaining about the prices.
Core concept
A dissatisfied person places a troublesome matter before someone who can address it.
Common phrases
sich über die Preise beschweren
complain about the prices
sich ständig beschweren
constantly complain
Similar words
sich beklagen: Speaking openly to someone about dissatisfaction or hardship.
meckern: Grumbling repeatedly about small or irritating matters.
kritisieren: Directly identifying shortcomings in conduct, ideas, or opinions.
beanstanden: Objecting to a product or service defect and requesting remedial action.
Definition in German
in Worten Unzufriedenheit oder Kritik äußern; meist reflexiv gebraucht: sich über etwas/jemanden beschweren.
Word origin
The verb comes from Middle High German beschwern, built with be- and schwer, and its reflexive complaint sense developed from the idea of burdening someone with a grievance.
Usage tips
- The common pattern is sich über etwas or jemanden beschweren, with über governing the accusative case.
Other meanings
- lodge a complaintverb
Related words
- Beschwerdebriefcomplaint letternoun
- Beschwerdecomplaintnoun