quälen

Quälen is a German verb that translates to torment, torture, or plague in English. It describes the act of inflicting severe physical or mental suffering upon someone or something. This can involve prolonged pain, distress, or annoyance.

The verb can be used in various contexts. In a literal sense, it refers to the physical torture of a person or animal. For example, one might "quälen" a prisoner or an animal. However, "quälen" is also frequently used metaphorically to describe persistent emotional or psychological distress. For instance, someone might be "gequält" by guilt or a recurring bad memory, meaning they are tormented by it. Similarly, a difficult or annoying situation can "quälen" someone, implying it is a source of constant irritation or suffering.

The past participle is "gequält". The noun form is "Quälerei", which means torment or torture. The adjective "qualvoll" means agonizing or full of suffering. The word originates from the Middle High German "welgen", which means to torture or afflict.