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German Phrase

Ich erkundige mich wegen der Beschwerde, die ich eingereicht habe.

/ɪç ɛɐ̯ˈkʊndɪɡə mɪç ˈveːɡn̩ dɛɐ̯ bəˈʃvɛɐ̯də diː ɪç ˈaɪ̯nɡəˌʁaɪ̯çt haːbə/
Meaning"I am inquiring about the complaint that I submitted."
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Meaning

This phrase is used to follow up on a complaint or inquiry that has already been made. It indicates that the speaker is seeking an update or more information regarding a previously lodged issue. It's a formal and polite way to check on the status of something.

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When to use

You would use this phrase when contacting a customer service department, a public office, or any institution to follow up on a formal complaint or request you've previously made. It's suitable for written communication (email) or phone calls.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Icherkundige michwegender Beschwerde,die ich eingereicht habe.

1

Sich erkundigen (to inquire)

This is a reflexive verb meaning 'to inquire' or 'to ask about.' It's often followed by 'nach' (+ Dative) or 'wegen' (+ Genitive) to specify what is being inquired about.

2

Wegen (+ Genitive)

'Wegen' is a preposition meaning 'because of,' 'due to,' or 'about.' It almost always takes the genitive case, so 'die Beschwerde' (feminine nominative) becomes 'der Beschwerde' (feminine genitive).

3

Relative Clause with 'die'

The clause 'die ich eingereicht habe' is a relative clause that provides more information about 'die Beschwerde.' 'Die' acts as the relative pronoun, referring back to 'die Beschwerde,' and the conjugated verb ('habe') moves to the end of the clause.

4

Einreichen (to submit)

'Einreichen' is a separable verb meaning 'to submit' or 'to hand in.' In the perfect tense, it uses 'haben' as the auxiliary verb, and the past participle is 'eingereicht.'

🗨In Conversation

A

Guten Tag, ich rufe an, weil ich mich wegen der Beschwerde, die ich eingereicht habe, erkundigen möchte.

Good day, I'm calling because I'd like to inquire about the complaint I submitted.

Gerne, haben Sie eine Referenznummer für mich?

Certainly, do you have a reference number for me?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich frage über die Beschwerde.

    'fragen' is for asking a direct question, not for inquiring about a status. 'Über' is not the correct preposition here.

  • Ich erkundige mich wegen die Beschwerde.

    'Wegen' requires the genitive case, so it should be 'der Beschwerde'.

  • Ich erkundige mich für die Beschwerde.

    'Für' is incorrect; 'wegen' (because of/due to/about) is the appropriate preposition for inquiring about something.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich möchte mich nach dem Stand meiner Beschwerde erkundigen.

    I would like to inquire about the status of my complaint.

  • Ich rufe an/schreibe wegen meiner Beschwerde.

    I'm calling/writing about my complaint.

  • Könnten Sie mir bitte ein Update zu meiner Beschwerde geben?

    Could you please give me an update on my complaint?

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Cultural Tip

Germans tend to be direct and precise, especially in formal communication like complaints. This phrase is polite but clear. When making a complaint or following up, it's common to provide a reference number if available. While direct, it's important to maintain a respectful tone.