kläglich

/ˈklɛːklɪç/

adjective B2

der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Meaning

pitiful, miserable, wretched
- Der Plan endete in einem kläglichen Scheitern.
  
  The plan ended in a pitiful failure.

erbärmlich and kläglich are close synonyms for "pitiful, miserable, wretched," largely interchangeable.

kläglich and elend are close synonyms for "miserable, wretched"; elend can also colloquially mean "sick, ill."

Similar in other languages

French

misérable is the French word for the same thing — both mean "pitiful, wretched."

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adjective

Last updated 2026-09-22