Complaints in German
"Complaints" is a German lesson for B1 level. Expressing dissatisfaction with service. Below are 10 essential German words and phrases with phonetic pronunciation, English translation, and example sentences so you understand how to use them immediately.
The interactive practice for this lesson includes 10 exercises: flashcards, multiple-choice questions, pair matching, and sentence fill-in-the-blanks.
German words for "Complaints"
Independent mastery: mandatory requirement for German citizenship and permanent residency.
🎯 Exam skill: Drafting formal letters, articulating opinions, and topical discussions.
| German | Pronunciation | Translation |
|---|---|---|
sich beschweren Ich möchte mich beschweren. | /zikh beh-SHVAIR-en/ | to complain I would like to make a complaint. |
die Beschwerde Ich habe eine Beschwerde. | /dee beh-SHVAIR-deh/ | complaint I have a complaint about the service. |
kaputt Das Gerät ist kaputt. | /kah-POOT/ | broken I am dissatisfied with the product. |
der Fehler Das war ein Fehler der Firma. | /dair FAY-ler/ | mistake/error I demand a refund. |
die Rückerstattung Ich möchte eine Rückerstattung. | /dee RUEK-air-shtah-toong/ | refund The device is defective. |
umtauschen Kann ich die Ware umtauschen? | /OOM-tow-shen/ | to exchange The delivery was delayed. |
unzufrieden sein Ich bin mit dem Service unzufrieden. | /OON-tsoo-free-den zyne/ | to be dissatisfied I want to speak with the manager. |
die Garantie Das Produkt hat zwei Jahre Garantie. | /dee gah-rahn-TEE/ | warranty The food was cold. |
der Kundendienst Ich rufe den Kundendienst an. | /dair KOON-den-deenst/ | customer service I want to cancel the contract. |
reklamieren Ich möchte das reklamieren. | /reh-klah-MEE-ren/ | to file a complaint This is unacceptable. |
Germans strictly maintain the formal "Sie" address in offices, supermarkets, and healthcare settings. Switching to the informal "Du" happens only when explicitly offered.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say "Complaints" in German?
Key words for "Complaints": sich beschweren, die Beschwerde, kaputt. All 10 words with pronunciation and translations are in the table below.
What level is this lesson (B1)?
This is a B1-level lesson with 10 words and phrases. All exercises are 100% free.
How can I memorise these German words fast?
Listen to the native audio, repeat the examples aloud and complete the lesson's interactive exercises.