Before you start
Meet anklagen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
an- + klagen
- an-
- directed toward or against someone
- klagen
- to complain or bring a complaint
You direct a complaint against someone.
So anklagen means to accuse or formally charge someone.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: an·klagen
In a main clause the prefix an splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseDer Richter klagt den Fahrer an.The judge accuses the driver.
Subordinate clauseSie bleibt, weil der Chef den Mann anklagt.She stays because the boss accuses the man.
Participle: angeklagtzu-infinitive: anzuklagen
Forms
How anklagen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | klage an | klagte an |
| du | klagst an | klagtest an |
| er/sie/es | klagt an | klagte an |
| wir | klagen an | klagten an |
| ihr | klagt an | klagtet an |
| Sie | klagen an | klagten an |
Partizip II angeklagt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Die Polizei klagt den Mann an.The police accuse the man.present with separated prefix
- 2Sie hat ihren Nachbarn angeklagt.She accused her neighbor.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich weiß, dass er den Fahrer anklagt.I know that he accuses the driver.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
anklagen + der Mann
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Mann as the person being accused.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The policedie Polizei have accused him of theftder Diebstahl.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the judgeder Richter heard the storydie Geschichte, he accused her of lyingdie Lüge.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
They accused him because he had taken the moneydas Geld.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The womandie Frau who accused them works with my brotherder Bruder.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The familydie Familie wants to accuse the man because he stole their cardas Auto.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
It is difficultschwer to accuse a friendder Freund.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Would you accuse your neighborder Nachbar if he took your bagdie Tasche?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
anklagen + obwohl + die Beweise
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause about the missing evidence.
- 2Accuse der Mann in the main clause.
- 3Use the present tense.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Have you ever accused someone unfairly?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the Perfekt.
- 2Say whom you accused.
- 3Say that the accusation was unfair.