German word

jammern

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈjamɐn/

Meaning

  • verbcomplain

Example

Sie jammert immer über die Arbeit.

She always complains about work.

Illustration for jammern (complain)

More examples

Er jammert aus Gewohnheit über seinen Alltag.

He complains out of habit about his daily life.

Core concept

A person repeatedly voices minor troubles in a plaintive tone, focusing on dissatisfaction rather than solutions.

Common phrases

  • aus Gewohnheit jammern

    complain out of habit

  • über nichts jammern

    complain about nothing

Similar words

meckern: Complain briefly and repeatedly to show displeasure or an ill temper.
motzen: Deliver blunt complaints that directly express dissatisfaction.
sich beschweren: Tell someone about a specific problem while seeking a solution.
nörgeln: Persistently complain about small flaws and minor annoyances.

Definition in German

immer wieder über Ärgernisse oder Kleinigkeiten klagen und dabei einen klagenden, wenig konstruktiven Ton anschlagen.

Word origin

German jammern comes from Middle High German jâmern and is related to Jammer, a word for lament or misery.

Usage tips

  • The verb commonly uses über with the accusative, as in über die Arbeit jammern or über den Preis jammern.

Other meanings

  • whineverb

Related words

  • Jammerlappenwhinernoun

Word lists with this word