protestieren gegen
To protest against
Use `protestieren gegen` whenever you want to firmly and clearly say 'I am against this.'
En 15 secondes
- Used to express active opposition to a rule or situation.
- Always requires the accusative case after the preposition 'gegen'.
- Works for both serious political issues and everyday disagreements.
Signification
This phrase is used when you want to express your disagreement or opposition to something. It is the standard way to say you are standing up against a rule, a decision, or a situation you find unfair.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At the office
Wir protestieren gegen die neuen Arbeitszeiten.
We are protesting against the new working hours.
Texting a friend about a bad movie choice
Ich protestiere gegen diesen Film! Der ist so langweilig.
I protest against this movie! It's so boring.
Formal news report
Tausende Menschen protestieren gegen das neue Gesetz.
Thousands of people are protesting against the new law.
Contexte culturel
Germany has a long history of public demonstrations, from the peaceful protests in 1989 to modern climate strikes. The phrase reflects a cultural value where expressing dissent is considered a healthy part of society. It is not seen as rude, but rather as being an active participant in life.
The Drama Factor
Using this phrase for small things (like a bad movie) makes you sound funny and dramatic. It's a great way to add personality to your German.
Watch the Case
Always use the accusative after 'gegen'. If you say 'gegen dem Plan' (dative), people will still understand you, but it's a very common learner mistake.
En 15 secondes
- Used to express active opposition to a rule or situation.
- Always requires the accusative case after the preposition 'gegen'.
- Works for both serious political issues and everyday disagreements.
What It Means
Protestieren gegen is your go-to tool for saying "No thanks" to something official or collective. It means you aren't just unhappy; you are actively speaking out. Think of it as the verbal version of holding up a sign. It implies a level of action or a formal statement of dislike.
How To Use It
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.
When To Use It
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.
When NOT To Use 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.
Cultural Background
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.
Common Variations
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.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is neutral and safe for almost any context. Just remember that 'gegen' is an accusative-only preposition, which is the most common grammatical trap for this expression.
The Drama Factor
Using this phrase for small things (like a bad movie) makes you sound funny and dramatic. It's a great way to add personality to your German.
Watch the Case
Always use the accusative after 'gegen'. If you say 'gegen dem Plan' (dative), people will still understand you, but it's a very common learner mistake.
Directness is Key
In Germany, protesting isn't seen as being a 'troublemaker.' It's seen as being honest. Don't be afraid to use this phrase if you genuinely disagree with something.
Exemples
6Wir protestieren gegen die neuen Arbeitszeiten.
We are protesting against the new working hours.
Shows a collective group disagreement in a professional setting.
Ich protestiere gegen diesen Film! Der ist so langweilig.
I protest against this movie! It's so boring.
Using a strong word for a minor thing adds a touch of drama.
Tausende Menschen protestieren gegen das neue Gesetz.
Thousands of people are protesting against the new law.
Standard usage in a journalistic context.
Mein Magen protestiert gegen dieses scharfe Essen!
My stomach is protesting against this spicy food!
Personifying a body part for a funny effect.
Die Anwohner protestieren gegen den Abriss des Parks.
The residents are protesting against the demolition of the park.
Conveys a sense of passion and community care.
Ich muss gegen diesen Plan protestieren, die Bar ist zu teuer.
I have to protest against this plan; the bar is too expensive.
Assertive but friendly way to steer a group decision.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct article for the accusative case.
Die Studenten protestieren gegen ___ (the) Erhöhung der Gebühren.
'Erhöhung' is feminine, and the accusative feminine article is 'die'.
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition.
Wir protestieren ___ die Umweltverschmutzung.
The verb 'protestieren' is almost always paired with 'gegen' when expressing opposition.
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Aides visuelles
Formality of 'protestieren gegen'
Used with friends for dramatic effect.
Ich protestiere gegen Hausaufgaben!
Standard everyday use for disagreements.
Wir protestieren gegen die Entscheidung.
Used in news and official statements.
Die Organisation protestiert gegen die Reform.
Where to use 'protestieren gegen'
Political Rally
Gegen Ungerechtigkeit
Office Meeting
Gegen Überstunden
Dinner Table
Gegen Brokkoli
Social Media
Gegen Algorithmen
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt means to protest or speak out against something. You use it when you want to show you disagree with a rule or action, like Ich protestiere gegen die Preiserhöhung.
No, it is very versatile! You can use it for big political events or small personal disagreements, like Ich protestiere gegen dieses Wetter!
It always takes the accusative case. For example, gegen den Lärm (masculine) or gegen die Kälte (feminine).
Yes, it's perfectly neutral. If a new rule is unfair, saying Wir protestieren gegen diese Regel is a professional way to voice concern.
Not at all. In German culture, being direct about your disagreement is often respected more than being passive-aggressive.
You could use Einspruch erheben gegen, which is often used in legal or very official contexts.
Only if you're being funny! If you say Ich protestiere gegen den Salat, it sounds like you're making a joke about how much you hate greens.
Meckern is more like complaining or whining. Protestieren sounds more principled and serious.
You would usually say demonstrieren für. For example, Wir demonstrieren für den Frieden (We are demonstrating for peace).
Extremely common. You will see headlines like Bürger protestieren gegen neue Autobahn almost every day.
Usually, you protest against actions or ideas. If you say Ich protestiere gegen dich, it sounds like you are opposing that person's entire existence, which is very intense!
Yes, der Protest gegen. For example, Der Protest gegen die Steuer war groß (The protest against the tax was large).
Expressions liées
sich wehren gegen (to defend/resist against)
dagegen sein (to be against it)
Einspruch erheben (to raise an objection)
widerstehen (to resist)
ablehnen (to reject/decline)
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