belangen

Definition & meaning

The verb belangen has two primary meanings in German:

1. To prosecute or take legal action against someone: This is the most common usage. It refers to holding someone accountable for a crime or a legal violation, usually by bringing them before a court.
2. To concern or relate to (archaic or regional): In older German or specific legal/formal contexts, it can mean that something pertains to or affects a person or subject. However, in modern standard German, this sense is almost exclusively covered by the verb anbelangen or betreffen ↗.

Grammar & Word origin

• Grammar: It is a regular (weak) verb. The conjugation follows: ich belange, du belangst, er/sie/es belangt; ich belangte; ich habe belangt. It is transitive, meaning it typically takes an accusative object (e.g., "jemanden belangen").
• Word origin: The word is derived from the prefix be- and the Middle High German langen (meaning to reach for or to demand). Historically, it meant "to reach someone" in a legal sense, specifically to summon them to court or to demand satisfaction from them.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• verklagen ↗ (to sue)
• anfechten ↗ (to challenge/contest)
• belästigen ↗ (in the sense of pestering with demands)
• betreffen ↗ (regarding the meaning of "to concern")
• zur Rechenschaft ziehen ↗ (to hold accountable)

Antonyms:

• freisprechen ↗ (to acquit)
• begnadigen ↗ (to pardon)
• verschonen ↗ (to spare)