Beklagen

Beklagen is a German verb meaning to regret or lament, and in some contexts to express formal condolences or to deplore an event. In everyday language it can also be used in the sense of complaining, especially with the reflexive form.

As a transitive verb, bekla­gen takes a direct object referring to what is regretted: for example, "Wir beklagen den Verlust" (We regret the loss). It can also be used to express condemnation or criticism in formal or institutional contexts, as in "Der Bericht beklagt die Missstände" (The report deplores the deficiencies). In its reflexive form, sich beklagen is used with über + accusative to express a personal grievance or complaint: "Er beklagt sich über die langen Wartezeiten" (He complains about the long waiting times).

Conjugation: present tense is ich beklage, du beklagst, er beklagt, wir beklagen, ihr beklagt, sie beklagen. Preterite: ich beklagte; perfect: ich habe beklagt. Reflexive forms are ich beklage mich, du beklagst dich, er beklagt sich, wir beklagen uns, ihr beklagt euch, sie beklagen sich, often with über + accusative, e.g., "Wir beklagen uns über die Situation."

Usage notes: Beklagen is more formal or literary than klagen; bedauern is commonly used to express regret in everyday language. Sich beklagen denotes a complaint or grievance, while beklagen as a direct transitive verb expresses regret about an event or situation. In journalism and official statements, both beklagen and bedauern may appear depending on tone.