protestieren gegen

This phrase always takes the accusative case. You say Ich protestiere gegen... and then add the thing you hate. If it's a noun, make sure the article matches the accusative. For example, gegen den Plan (masculine) or gegen die Regel (feminine). It’s a strong verb, so use it when you mean business. You can use it for big political marches or just when your roommate suggests pizza with pineapple for the fifth time this week.

Use it in the office when a new policy seems ridiculous. Use it with friends when the group chooses a movie you absolutely cannot stand. It is perfect for news reports, social media posts about justice, or even at a restaurant if the service is consistently terrible. It sounds firm but remains polite enough for most settings. It shows you have an opinion and you aren't afraid to share it.

Don't use it for small, personal preferences where nicht mögen (to not like) is enough. If you just don't like the taste of coffee, don't say you are protesting against it. That sounds like you're starting a political movement against caffeine. Also, avoid it in very delicate emotional situations where a softer word like bedauern (to regret) might be kinder. It can sound a bit "loud" if used for every minor inconvenience.

Germans have a reputation for being very direct and following rules. However, they also have a very strong culture of civil courage and public demonstration. In Germany, protestieren gegen is seen as a democratic right and a sign of an engaged citizen. From environmental issues to local construction projects, people aren't shy about using this phrase. It’s part of the social fabric to speak up when things feel wrong.

If you want to sound more formal, you might use Einspruch erheben (to lodge an objection). For something more casual and "whiny," you could use meckern über (to grumble about). If you are really angry, you might say sich wehren gegen (to defend oneself against). But for most situations, protestieren gegen hits the perfect middle ground of being clear and assertive.