meckern

Meckern is a German verb meaning to complain persistently, to nitpick, or to nag about something. It is informal and carries a mildly pejorative nuance, often describing minor or repetitive criticisms rather than serious grievances.

Common usage patterns include with über + accusative to complain about something (for example, Er meckert ständig über das Wetter) and with an + dative or herum to nag someone about issues (Sie meckert an seinem Verhalten herum / Sie meckert ständig an seinem Verhalten). Meckern can also stand alone as in Die Meckerei hat wieder begonnen. The related noun forms are Meckerei (nagging), der Meckerer (a person who complains), and das Meckern (the act of complaining).

Conjugation is regular for most speakers. Present tense: ich meckere, du meckerst, er meckert, wir meckern, ihr meckert, sie meckern. Simple past (preterite): ich meckerte, du meckertest, er meckerte, wir meckerten, ihr meckertet, sie meckerten. The past participle is gemeckert, used with haben in perfect and pluperfect; for example, er hat gemeckert.

Etymology is not definitively established; the term is well attested in Early New High German and is tied to informal, colloquial speech. The word shares a productive family with related terms like meckern, Meckerei, and Meckerer, all conveying the sense of nagging or petty criticism.

In usage, meckern is typically contrasted with stronger notions of complaint or with more neutral or constructive critique. Synonyms include nörgeln and jammern, though each carries its own nuance.