der  Anflug

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanfluːk/

✈️ What exactly is 'der Anflug'?

The German word der Anflug has several meanings:

• ✈️ In aviation: The process of an aircraft approaching the airport for landing. This is the most literal meaning. Example: Der Pilot begann den Anflug auf München. (The pilot began the approach to Munich.)
• 🤔 A hint or trace: A small amount or a first sign of something, often a feeling or characteristic. It's subtle. Example: Sie spürte einen Anflug von Nervosität. (She felt a hint of nervousness.) Er zeigte einen Anflug von Reue. (He showed a trace of remorse.)
• 🩺 Onset of an illness: The first, often mild, appearance of symptoms of an illness. Example: Ich habe einen Anflug von Grippe. (I have a touch/hint of the flu.)

⚠️ Important: The word is always masculine, so it's always der Anflug.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Anflug

The noun 'Anflug' is masculine.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Der Anflug auf den kleinen Flughafen war schwierig.
   (The approach to the small airport was difficult. - Meaning: Aviation)
2. Ich bemerkte einen leisen Anflug von Ironie in seiner Stimme.
   (I noticed a faint hint of irony in his voice. - Meaning: Hint/Trace)
3. Wegen des nahenden Anflugs wurde die Landebahn freigegeben.
   (Because of the approaching aircraft, the runway was cleared. / Literally: Because of the nearing approach... - Meaning: Aviation)
4. Er kämpft mit einem Anflug von Erkältung.
   (He is struggling with a touch/hint of a cold. - Meaning: Onset of illness)
5. Die vielen Anflüge verursachten Lärm.
   (The many approaches/landings caused noise. - Meaning: Aviation)

Context and Usage of 'Anflug'

The use of der Anflug depends heavily on the context:

• Aviation: Here, the term is technical and clearly defined (e.g., Landeanflug - final approach, Sichtanflug - visual approach, Instrumentenanflug - instrument approach). It describes the final phase of the flight before landing.
• Emotions/Characteristics: In this context, 'Anflug' is more figurative and describes a very subtle, often fleeting perception. It's less intense than a full 'Gefühl' (feeling) or 'Eigenschaft' (characteristic). You often speak of an 'Anflug von Lächeln' (hint of a smile), 'Traurigkeit' (sadness), 'Zweifel' (doubt), 'Müdigkeit' (tiredness), 'Arroganz' (arrogance), etc.
• Illness: Similar to emotions, it describes a first, weak sign here, often before the illness fully develops ('Anflug von Kopfschmerzen' - hint of a headache, 'Fieber' - fever).

Differentiation:

• Ansatz (der): Can be similar ('ein Ansatz von Kritik' - an element/hint of criticism), but is often more concrete or refers to the beginning of a solution.
• Spur (die): Similar to 'Hauch' (whiff/hint), but 'Spur' can also be physical ('eine Spur im Schnee' - a track in the snow). 'Anflug' is usually not physically tangible (except in the flight context).
• Hauch (der): Very similar to 'Anflug' in the emotional context, often interchangeable ('ein Hauch von Ironie' / 'ein Anflug von Ironie').

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Anflug'

For the article (der): Imagine: Der Pilot (The pilot, masculine) makes den Anflug (the approach). Associating it with the typically male pilot helps remember 'der'.

For the meanings: Think of something 'flying at' (an-fliegen) you: The plane 'flies at' the airport to land. A feeling briefly 'flies at' you (a hint). An illness 'flies at' you (the onset). The 'Flug' (flight) part is key.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Auftrag (der): An order, assignment, or mission. Sounds vaguely similar but unrelated.
• Aufzug (der): Elevator/lift or an act (in a play).

😂 A Little Joke

Passagier zum Piloten: „Ist das Ihr erster Anflug heute?“
Pilot: „Nein, ich war schon mal wach.“

(Passenger to pilot: "Is this your first approach today?"
Pilot: "No, I've been awake before." - This is a pun, as 'Anflug' can mean approach, but also metaphorically a 'bout' or 'touch' of something, here implying 'Is this your first bout of activity today?')

📜 Poem about 'der Anflug'

Ein Flugzeug naht im sanften Gleiten,
Der Anflug lässt die Landung schreiten.

Ein Lächeln kurz, kaum zu erkennen,
Ein Anflug nur, schnell zu verbrennen.

Ein Kratzen leicht, die Stirn wird warm,
Ein Anflug Grippe, schlägt Alarm.

Drei Mal das Wort, doch stets mit Sinn,
Mal ernst, mal leicht, mal mittendrin.

(A plane approaches in a gentle glide,
The approach lets the landing stride.

A brief smile, barely to discern,
Just a hint, quick to burn.

A slight scratch, the forehead grows warm,
A touch of flu sounds the alarm.

Three times the word, yet always with sense,
Sometimes serious, light, or in suspense.)

🧩 Riddle

Ich bringe Flieger sicher nieder,
bin manchmal nur ein Hauch von Lieder (der Wehmut).
Und kündigt leicht sich Krankheit an,
bin ich's, der leise kommen kann.

Was bin ich?

(I bring planes down safely,
Am sometimes just a hint of songs (of melancholy).
And if illness announces itself lightly,
It's me, who can come quietly.

What am I? )
(Solution: der Anflug)

✨ More Information on 'Anflug'

Word Composition:

The word 'Anflug' is composed of the prefix 'an' and the noun 'Flug'.

• an: Expresses an approach or a beginning.
• Flug: Flight, the act of flying.

So, literally, it means 'flying towards' or 'approaching by flight'.

Compound Words (Examples):

• Landeanflug: The specific approach for landing.
• Sichtanflug: A visual approach (conducted under visual flight rules).
• Instrumentenanflug: An instrument approach (conducted using instruments).