Anliegen

Anliegen is a German noun that denotes a matter, concern, issue, or request that a person wants to communicate to someone else, often an authority or organization. In everyday and formal language it is commonly used with phrases such as ein Anliegen vorbringen (to bring forward a concern or request) or das Anliegen der Bürger (the concern of the citizens). It can refer to personal matters as well as to public or organizational issues.

Etymology and sense development: the noun derives from the verb anliegen, which historically carries meanings related to lying near or pertaining to something. In modern usage, anliegen describes something that lies close to someone’s interests or responsibilities; a matter that one wishes to address or seek action on.

Usage notes: an Anliegen can be a request, a suggestion, a complaint, or a concern, depending on context. In administrative or service settings, citizens and customers express their Anliegen through letters, emails, forms, or petitions. The plural form Anliegen often indicates multiple issues, while the singular is used for a single matter. The term is neutral and common in official communication, but it also appears in everyday speech to refer to any issue someone intends to raise.

Related terms and nuances: nearby concepts include Anfrage (request for information), Antrag (formal proposal or application), Beschwerde (complaint), and Vorschlag (suggestion). While anliegen is broad enough to cover various kinds of requests or concerns, its nuance tends to be less negative than Beschwerde and more formal than casual Anliegen in conversation.

See also: matter of concern; request; petition.