verb
to complain, to burden
A2
Means 'to complain' (sich beschweren = to complain about) and 'to burden' (transitive: etwas beschweren = to burden). Commonly reflexive with 'über' (sich über etwas beschweren). Regular weak verb, uses haben for perfect (hat sich beschwert). Meaning depends on reflexivity. Frequently used.
Examples
Sie hat sich über das Essen beschwert.
She complained about the food.
Sie beschwerte sich über den langen Wartebereich.
She complained about the long waiting area.
Die zusätzliche Gebühr kann die kleine Firma finanziell beschweren.
The extra fee can financially burden the small company.
Details
Mnemonics
picture someone handing a heavy package to another person to 'burden' them; the package has a huge label 'Beschwer(e)'
sounds like 'bash where n' — imagine someone 'bashing' a problem where they complain
Notes
Commonly used reflexively (sich beschweren). Non-reflexive 'beschweren' can mean 'to burden' (transitive). In perfect tense the auxiliary is 'haben' (e.g., 'hat sich beschwert').