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verb

verklagen

sue

Jemanden vor Gericht bringen, weil man meint, dass diese Person etwas Unrechtes getan hat.

Definition & meaning

verklagen is a verb used primarily in a legal context. It means to sue someone or to take legal action against a person, company, or entity in a court of law. It implies that the person taking action is seeking a legal remedy or compensation for a grievance, a breach of contract, or a perceived wrong.

Grammar & Word origin

  • Grammar: This is a regular (weak) verb. Its conjugation includes ich verklage, du verklagst, er/sie/es verklagt, and it forms the past participle as verklagt.
  • Word origin: The word is derived from the prefix ver- (indicating a thorough or decisive action) and the noun Klage (complaint, lawsuit, or grievance). Historically, it stems from the Old High German klagon, meaning to lament or complain.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • einklagen (to demand something via legal action)
  • anstrengen (in the context of einen Prozess anstrengen – to initiate a lawsuit)
  • belangen (to prosecute or hold someone accountable)
  • prozessieren (to be involved in a lawsuit/litigate)

Antonyms:

  • freisprechen (to acquit or find not guilty)
  • begnadigen (to pardon)
  • vergleichen (in a legal sense, to settle out of court, sich vergleichen)

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Examples

Er will die Firma verklagen.verb

He wants to sue the company.

Er möchte den Mann verklagen.verb

He wants to sue the man.

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