die  Beschwerde

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈʃvɛʁdə/

🧐 What Exactly Does "die Beschwerde" Mean?

The word die Beschwerde (feminine) primarily has two meanings in German:

1. The expression of dissatisfaction or criticism: This refers to a complaint or grievance about a deficiency, poor treatment, or a faulty product/service. One can Beschwerde einlegen (lodge a complaint).
2. Physical suffering or discomfort: Here, it describes ailments, indispositions, or health problems. One speaks of körperliche Beschwerden (physical complaints/ailments).

🚨 Note: Although both meanings exist, the context usually makes it clear which one is intended.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar in Detail: Die Beschwerde

The noun "Beschwerde" is feminine, so the article is die. It is declined as follows:

Example Sentences

• Meaning 1 (Complaint): Der Kunde reichte eine formelle Beschwerde über den schlechten Service ein.
  (The customer submitted a formal complaint about the poor service.)
• Meaning 1 (Complaint): Die Zahl der Beschwerden über Lärmbelästigung hat zugenommen.
  (The number of complaints about noise pollution has increased.)
• Meaning 2 (Ailment): Seit dem Unfall hat er ständige Beschwerden im Rücken.
  (Since the accident, he has had constant problems/pains in his back.)
• Meaning 2 (Ailment): Bei akuten Beschwerden sollten Sie einen Arzt aufsuchen.
  (In case of acute ailments, you should see a doctor.)

💡 How to Use "die Beschwerde"?

Usage heavily depends on the context:

• In a legal or business context: Here, it usually means complaint or grievance. People often talk about "Beschwerde einlegen" (to file/lodge a complaint) or "eine Beschwerde bearbeiten" (to process a complaint). Example: Die Beschwerde wurde an die zuständige Abteilung weitergeleitet. (The complaint was forwarded to the relevant department.)
• In a medical context: Here, "Beschwerde" refers to physical ailments or symptoms. Doctors often ask: "Welche Beschwerden haben Sie?" (What symptoms/problems do you have?) Example: Er klagte über Magenbeschwerden. (He complained about stomach problems.)
• In general language: It can mean either, but often refers to the complaint. One can also "sich beschweren" (verb: to complain). Example: Seine ständigen Beschwerden über das Wetter nerven. (His constant complaints about the weather are annoying.)

Related Verbs:

• sich beschweren (über + Accusative): to complain (about something) (e.g., Er beschwert sich über das Essen. - He complains about the food.)
• etwas beschweren: to weigh something down (rare, not directly related to the main meanings of 'die Beschwerde')
• jemanden beschweren: to trouble someone (archaic)

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Beschwerde"

For the article "die": Think of "die" as in "Die-ing from this bad service!" prompting a complaint (Beschwerde). Many German nouns ending in "-de" are feminine (like die Freude - joy, die Kunde - news/customer, die Spende - donation), which can be a general hint for die Beschwerde.

For the meanings: Imagine someone carrying a heavy (schwer) burden. This burden can be figurative (worries leading to a complaint - Beschwerde) or literal physical discomfort (ailments - Beschwerden). The word "schwer" (heavy) is inside Beschwerde.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Watch out: "Die Beschwernis" sounds similar but means hardship, burden, or difficulty in a more general sense, not specifically a complaint or a physical ailment.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Computer eine Beschwerde eingereicht?
Weil er zu viele Cookies hatte und sich über Bauchschmerzen beschwerte! 🍪🤢

(Why did the computer file a complaint?
Because it had too many cookies and complained about a stomach ache!)

📜 A Little Poem

Die Rechnung falsch, der Service lahm,
Da schreibt man schnell, ganz ohne Scham,
'ne Mail, 'nen Brief, 'ne Beschwerde klar,
Damit es besser wird, ist doch wahr!

Doch auch der Rücken, alt und steif,
Macht Beschwerden, nicht zum Zeitvertreib.
Ob Klage laut, ob Leiden still,
Beschwerde ist's, wie's kommen will.

(The bill is wrong, the service slow,
One quickly writes, no shame to show,
An email, letter, a complaint so clear,
So things improve, that much is dear!)

(But also the back, old and stiff,
Causes ailments, not just a whiff.
Whether loud lament, or suffering's plight,
A Beschwerde it is, morning, noon, or night.)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich kann ein Brief sein, voller Wut und Groll,
Oder ein Zwicken, das schmerzen soll.
Man reicht mich ein, wenn was nicht passt,
Oder spürt mich als körperliche Last.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Beschwerde)

(I can be a letter, full of anger and spite,
Or a twinge that causes pain day and night.
You file me when something's not right,
Or feel me as a physical plight.

What am I?
Solution: die Beschwerde)

✨ More Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Beschwerde" derives from the verb "beschweren" (to complain, to weigh down), which in turn comes from the adjective "schwer" (heavy, difficult). The prefix "be-" often forms verbs from adjectives or nouns, and the suffix "-de" (or historically "-ede") is used here for nominalization (turning it into a noun).

Common Collocations (Häufige Wortkombinationen):

• Beschwerde einlegen/einreichen (to file/lodge a complaint)
• eine Beschwerde bearbeiten/prüfen (to process/check a complaint)
• Beschwerden haben/verursachen (to have/cause ailments - medical)
• über Beschwerden klagen (to complain about ailments - medical)
• amtliche/formelle/schriftliche Beschwerde (official/formal/written complaint)
• körperliche/chronische/akute Beschwerden (physical/chronic/acute ailments)