beklage

Beklagen is a German verb meaning to regret, deplore, or lament something that has occurred. It can express personal sorrow about a fact or event, or be used in formal contexts to convey official regret. When used transitively, it takes a direct object: “Ich beklage den Verlust” (I regret the loss). It can also appear in a clause: “Wir beklagen, dass bessere Lösungen nicht umgesetzt wurden.”

Sich beklagen is the reflexive form meaning to complain, often with über to specify the matter: “Er beklagt sich über die Verzögerung.” In everyday language this sense is common, while bekämpfen or bedauern may be preferred for stronger formal weight. Beklagen shares semantic space with bedauern (to regret) but beklagen emphasizes the act of lamenting or expressing sorrow more explicitly.

Etymology and related terms: beklagen is formed from the verb klagen (to lament) with the prefix be-, which in German commonly adds a transitive force. The concept is cognate with similar Germanic formations in other languages, though exact cognates vary. In Dutch, bekla­gen has a similar meaning, while English tends to use lament or regret directly.

Usage notes: Beklagen is versatile in tone. In journalism and official statements it conveys formal regret about events or policies, without implying legal action. In contrast, Klage denotes a complaint or a legal action in many contexts, and Bedauern is a more neutral, perhaps softer, expression of regret.

See also: klagen, bedauern, lament, regret.