der
Abflug
🛫 What exactly does "der Abflug" mean?
The noun der Abflug (masculine) primarily refers to two related things:
- The take-off of an aircraft: The moment or process when an airplane leaves the ground and begins its journey.
- The departure by plane: The entire act of flying away or the time shortly before it at the airport.
It is almost exclusively used in the context of aviation. ⚠️ Do not confuse it with 'der Start', which can be more general (e.g., rocket launch, start of a race).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ug → mostly masculine.
Caution: der Flug but das Zeug/ das Flugzeug.
📜 Grammar in Detail: Der Abflug
"Abflug" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Abflug |
| Genitive | des | Abflugs / Abfluges |
| Dative | dem | Abflug / Abfluge |
| Accusative | den | Abflug |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Abflüge |
| Genitive | der | Abflüge |
| Dative | den | Abflügen |
| Accusative | die | Abflüge |
Example Sentences
- Der Abflug nach London ist für 10:00 Uhr geplant. (The departure to London is scheduled for 10:00 AM.)
- Wegen Nebels verzögert sich der Abflug um eine Stunde. (Due to fog, the departure is delayed by one hour.)
- Die Zeit des Abflugs steht auf Ihrer Bordkarte. (The time of departure is on your boarding pass.)
- Wir warten auf den Abflug. (We are waiting for the departure.)
- Alle Abflüge von Gate B wurden gestrichen. (All departures from Gate B have been cancelled.)
✈️ When to use "Abflug"?
"Der Abflug" is a key term in the field of travel and air transport.
- At the airport: You'll see the word on display boards ("Abflüge" / "Departures"), hear it in announcements, or talk about it regarding your travel time. ("Wann ist dein Abflug?" - When is your departure?)
- Planning: When booking flights or organizing a trip, the Abflugzeit (departure time) plays a crucial role.
- Figuratively (rare): Sometimes "den Abflug machen" is used colloquially to mean "to disappear" or "to leave", but this is rather informal. Example: "Nach der peinlichen Frage hat er schnell den Abflug gemacht." (After the embarrassing question, he quickly made his exit/disappeared.)
Difference to "Start": While "der Start" can also denote the beginning of other things (race, project, rocket), "der Abflug" specifically refers to the take-off of an airplane or the associated departure.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Abflug"
For the article (der): Think of der Pilot or der Flugkapitän (the pilot, male) – the masculine person performing the Abflug. Or, remember that der Flug (the flight) is masculine, so der Ab-flug is also masculine.
For the meaning (Departure): Imagine a plane rolling down the runway and then lifting 'ab' (off/away) – it's making the Ab-Flug (departure flight).
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
⚠️ Related Terms (Caution!)
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Passagier den Piloten: "Sagen Sie mal, ist Fliegen wirklich so sicher?"
Pilot: "Klar! Runtergekommen sind sie noch alle... nur der Zeitpunkt des Abflugs ist manchmal ungewiss!" 😉
Passenger asks the pilot: "Tell me, is flying really that safe?"
Pilot: "Sure! They've all come down eventually... only the time of departure is sometimes uncertain!" 😉
✒️ Poem about Departure
Die Koffer sind gepackt, die Zeit verrinnt,
Ein letzter Blick, eh die Reise beginnt.
Motoren dröhnen, ein starker Schub,
Der Abflug naht, hebt uns hoch vom Hub.
Dem Alltag ade, der Ferne entgegen,
Auf luftigen Wegen, ein neuer Segen.
The bags are packed, time slips away,
A final glance before the journey holds sway.
Engines roar, a powerful thrust so grand,
Departure nears, lifts us high off the land.
Farewell to routine, towards distance we glide,
On airy paths, a new blessing inside.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin kein Vogel, doch ich hebe ab.
Ich bring dich fort, ganz schnell und knapp.
Am Flughafen findest du meine Zeit,
Für die Reise in die weite Welt bereit.
Was bin ich?
(... Der Abflug)
I'm not a bird, yet I take off the ground.
I take you away, swiftly, safe and sound.
At the airport, you'll find my scheduled time,
Ready for travels to a distant clime.
What am I?
(... Der Abflug / The Departure)
✨ More Fun Facts
Word Composition:
"Der Abflug" is a compound noun made up of:
- Prefix "ab-": indicates separation or distance (away from something).
- Noun "der Flug": the movement through the air, the flight.
Together, they create the meaning of flying away or starting into the air.
Trivia: Airports often distinguish between "Abflug" (Departures) and "Ankunft" (Arrivals) to help passengers find their way.
Summary: is it der, die or das Abflug?
The word "Abflug" is masculine. The correct article is always der Abflug (in the nominative singular). Remember: der Flug (the flight), der Abflug (the departure).