die  Klage

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈklaːɡə/

📜 What exactly does "die Klage" mean?

Die Klage is a *feminine noun* with two main meanings:

1. Legal Meaning ⚖️: A formal charge, lawsuit, or legal action filed with a court to enforce a claim or seek a ruling. One often speaks of *"Klage einreichen"* (*to file a lawsuit*).
2. General Meaning 😢: An expression of sorrow, pain, dissatisfaction, or grief. It can be a loud wail (*Wehklage*) or a quiet complaint (*Beschwerde*). One can *"Klage führen"* (*complain*) about something.

⚠️ *Note:* Although both meanings exist, in formal contexts, the legal meaning is usually intended.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Klage" in Detail

The noun die Klage is *feminine*. Here are the declension tables:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Juristisch: Der Anwalt reichte die Klage gegen das Unternehmen ein.
   (*Legal: The lawyer filed the lawsuit against the company.*)
2. Juristisch: Nach langem Prozess wurde die Klage abgewiesen.
   (*Legal: After a long trial, the lawsuit was dismissed.*)
3. Allgemein: Seine ständigen Klagen über das Wetter nerven.
   (*General: His constant complaints about the weather are annoying.*)
4. Allgemein: Man hörte die Klage der Witwe im ganzen Haus.
   (*General: One could hear the widow's lament throughout the house.*)

🗣️ How to use "die Klage"?

The usage of die Klage strongly depends on the context:

• In a legal context: The term is clearly defined here. You *"reicht eine Klage ein"* (*file a lawsuit*), *"erhebt Klage"* (*bring an action*), *"zieht eine Klage zurück"* (*withdraw a lawsuit*), or a lawsuit is *"stattgegeben"* (*granted*) or *"abgewiesen"* (*dismissed*). It is more specific than a simple *Beschwerde* (*complaint*). An *Anklage* (*charge, indictment*) is often more specific to criminal law, while *Klage* is common in civil law as well.
• In everyday life: Here, *die Klage* often describes (sometimes exaggerated) whining or complaining. It is more emotional than a factual *Beschwerde* (*complaint*). When someone *"sein Leid klagt"* (*pours out their troubles*), they are expressing sorrow.
• Literary/Poetic: In poems or archaic language, *die Klage* can also refer to a very formal or intense form of sorrow or grief (e.g., *Wehklage* - *lamentation*).

*Confusion is rare, as the context usually makes the meaning clear. The corresponding verb is "klagen" (to complain, to sue).*

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Klage"

For the article 'die': *Many German nouns ending in -e with two syllables are feminine. Think of* die Frage (*the question*), die Bitte (*the request*), die Liebe (*the love*) – *and also* die Klage.

For the meaning: *Imagine someone* klagt (*is wailing/crying*) loudly 😭 – *that's* die Klage *as an expression of sorrow. Or imagine someone has to pay* die (*the*) *high fee for a court* Klage (*lawsuit*) – *this helps with the legal meaning and the article.*

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words

• klagen (verb): *The act of complaining or suing.*
• anklagen (verb): *More specific in a legal (esp. criminal) context. Die Anklage (noun) is the result.*
• beklagen (verb): *To complain about something or express regret.*

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie denn die Parkuhr aufgebrochen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, auf ihr stand '2 Stunden frei parken'! Da dachte ich mir, ich befreie die mal..."
Richter: "Das wird trotzdem eine Klage geben!"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you break open the parking meter?"
The defendant answers: "Your Honor, it said '2 hours free parking' on it! So I thought I'd free it..."
Judge: "There will still be a lawsuit!"

✒️ Poem about "die Klage"

Mal ist sie laut, mal ist sie leis,
die Klage, die manch Herz zerreißt.
Vor Gericht, ein ernster Schritt,
Bringt sie den Streitfall mit.

Doch auch im Schmerz, in dunkler Stund,
Macht sie uns tiefstes Leid oft kund.
Ein Seufzer nur, ein stilles Flehn,
Kann auch als leise Klage weh'n.

Translation:
Sometimes it's loud, sometimes it's quiet,
The lament/complaint, that tears many a heart apart.
In court, a serious step,
It brings the legal case along.

But also in pain, in a dark hour,
It often reveals our deepest sorrow.
Just a sigh, a silent plea,
Can also drift as a quiet lament/complaint.

🕵️‍♀️ Little Riddle

Ich kann vor Gericht dein Recht verlangen,
oder von großem Kummer bangen.
Ich bin ein Ausdruck, oft mit Tränen nah,
mal juristisch, mal emotional da.

Was bin ich, feminin und oft gehört?

Translation:
I can demand your rights in court,
Or make you anxious with great sorrow.
I am an expression, often close to tears,
Sometimes legal, sometimes emotional.

What am I, feminine and often heard?

Solution: die Klage

💡 Other Information

• Word Formation: *The word "Klage" is derived from the verb "klagen" (to complain, to sue).*
• Compounds: *There are many compound nouns with "Klage", e.g.,* Schadenersatzklage (*action for damages*), Sammelklage (*class action lawsuit*), Klageschrift (*statement of claim*), Wehklage (*lamentation*), Klagemauer (*Wailing Wall*). *Each has a more specific meaning.*
• Idiom: *"Sein Leid klagen" means to pour out one's troubles to someone.*