verb
to complain, to file a lawsuit
B1
Klagen: German verb meaning 'to complain' (express dissatisfaction) and 'to file a lawsuit' (to sue). Uses auxiliary haben (Perfekt: hat geklagt). Regular weak verb (geklagt). Non‑reflexive; for 'to complain' speakers often use sich beklagen (reflexive). Legal sense often takes objects like 'gegen jdn klagen'.
Examples
Der Mieter klagte beim Vermieter, weil die Heizung seit Wochen nicht funktionierte.
The tenant complained to the landlord because the heating had not worked for weeks.
Ich habe mich beklagt.
I complained.
Er klagt oft über das schlechte Essen im Restaurant.
He often complains about the bad food at the restaurant.
Details
Mnemonics
visualize a person raising a fist and verbally complaining or a lawyer filing papers (for the legal sense)
sounds like 'clay-gun' — imagine someone angrily pounding a clay figurine while complaining
Notes
klagen can mean both 'to complain' (colloquial) and 'to bring a legal action / sue' (more formal/legal). Context determines meaning.