der  Flug

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/fluːk/

✈️ What does 'der Flug' actually mean?

The noun der Flug (masculine) has several meanings:

• Movement through the air: This is the most common meaning, referring to the journey or movement of an airplane, bird, or other flying object. Example: Der Flug nach Spanien war sehr angenehm. (The flight to Spain was very pleasant.)
• The act of flying: Describes the ability or the act of flying itself. Example: Der Flug der Schwalben ist elegant. (The flight of the swallows is elegant.)
• A group of flying birds (less common): Sometimes 'Flug' is used synonymously for a flock or swarm of birds. Example: Ein Flug Wildgänse zog über den See. (A flight/flock of wild geese flew over the lake.)

⚠️ Attention: Although birds fly, 'der Flug' is mostly associated with airplanes and travel if no other context is given.

Article rules for der, die, and das

The Grammar Checklist for 'der Flug' 🧐

Der Flug is a masculine noun. Its declension is as follows:

Example Sentences:

1. Der Flug verspätet sich um eine Stunde. (The flight is delayed by an hour. - Nominative Singular)
2. Die Dauer des Fluges betrug nur 45 Minuten. (The duration of the flight was only 45 minutes. - Genitive Singular)
3. Ich freue mich auf den Flug nach Italien. (I'm looking forward to the flight to Italy. - Accusative Singular)
4. Die Flüge für die Sommerferien sind oft teuer. (The flights for the summer holidays are often expensive. - Nominative Plural)
5. Wir müssen uns wegen der vielen Flüge über Lärmschutz unterhalten. (We need to talk about noise protection because of the many flights. - Genitive Plural)

How to use 'der Flug' in everyday life 🌍

Der Flug is mainly used in the context of travel and aviation:

• Booking travel: "Ich muss noch einen Flug nach Berlin buchen." ("I still need to book a flight to Berlin.")
• Flight experience: "Wie war dein Flug?" ("How was your flight?")
• Technical description: "Der erste motorisierte Flug der Gebrüder Wright war historisch." ("The Wright brothers' first motorized flight was historic.")
• Nature observation: "Der Flug der Kraniche ist ein beeindruckendes Schauspiel." ("The flight of the cranes is an impressive spectacle.")

Compared to die Reise (the journey/trip), der Flug is more specific, referring only to travel through the air. A Reise can also be by train, car, or ship.

Common collocations include: Direktflug (direct flight), Charterflug (charter flight), Linienflug (scheduled flight), Flug buchen (to book a flight), Flug stornieren (to cancel a flight), während des Fluges (during the flight).

Remember 'der Flug' more easily! 🧠

Article Mnemonic (der):

Imagine a male pilot (der Pilot) proudly puffing out his chest and saying: "Der beste Flug!" (Masculine association -> der). Or think: The German word for bird is der Vogel, which makes the Flug. (Same final consonant G).

Meaning Mnemonic (flight):

Flug sounds a bit like the English "flew" or "flown". Imagine something just "flew" through the air – that was a Flug.

Other words for 'Flug' & Opposites ↔️

Similar sounding words:

• der Fluch: Sounds similar, but means 'curse'. Be careful with pronunciation!
• die Flut: Means 'tide' or 'flood'.

A little joke about flying 😂

Passagier zum Piloten: "Sagen Sie mal, ist Fliegen wirklich sicher?"
Pilot: "Klar! Runtergekommen sind sie noch alle!"

Translation:

Passenger to the pilot: "Tell me, is flying really safe?"
Pilot: "Sure! They've all come down eventually!"

A poem about the flight ✒️

Der Flug beginnt, die Welt wird klein,
Motoren dröhnen, sonnenschein.
Durch Wolken weiß, ins Blaue rein,
Freiheit spüren, leicht zu sein.
Stunden ziehen, Land in Sicht,
Der Flug ist bald am Ziel, welch Licht!

Translation:

The flight begins, the world grows small,
Engines roar, sunshine for all.
Through clouds of white, into the blue hall,
Feeling freedom, standing tall.
Hours pass, land comes in sight,
The flight soon ends, what welcome light!

Little Riddle 🤔

Ich hab keine Flügel und kann doch schweben,
Bringe dich schnell an Orte, fern und eben.
Man bucht mich für Urlaub oder Geschäft,
Bin oft pünktlich, manchmal zu spät, das ist Fakt.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: der Flug

Translation:

I have no wings, yet I can soar,
Take you quickly to far-off shore.
You book me for vacation or for trade,
Often on time, sometimes delayed, it's said.

What am I?

Solution: der Flug (the flight)

Additional Info about 'Flug' 💡

Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen): The word 'Flug' forms the basis of many compound nouns:

• Flugzeug: Airplane (the vehicle for the flight).
• Flugticket / Flugschein: Flight ticket.
• Flughafen: Airport (where flights start and land).
• Flugangst: Fear of flying.
• Flugbegleiter/in: Flight attendant.
• Vogelflug: Bird flight.
• Raumflug: Space flight.

Etymology: The word 'Flug' derives from the verb 'fliegen' (to fly), which has Germanic roots describing movement through the air.