der  Ruck

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁʊk/

💨 What does 'der Ruck' mean?

Der Ruck refers to a sudden, quick, and often short movement or jolt. It can describe a physical movement of a body or object, but is also used figuratively.

• Physical Movement: A sudden pull, push, or abrupt motion. Example: Mit einem Ruck öffnete er die klemmende Tür. (With a jerk, he opened the jammed door.)
• Figurative Meaning: Often in the sense of a sudden change, an impulse, or a collective effort. The famous idiom is „Ein Ruck muss durch Deutschland gehen“ (lit. 'A jolt must go through Germany'), calling for general renewal or effort.

There is only the masculine article der for this noun.

🧐 Grammar of 'der Ruck' in Detail

The noun 'Ruck' is masculine. Here is its declension:

Note: The genitive singular has two possible forms: 'Rucks' and 'Ruckes'. The dative singular 'Rucke' is dated but possible. The plural is 'Rucke', less commonly 'Rucks'.

📝 Example Sentences

• Der plötzliche Ruck des Zuges weckte ihn auf.
  (The sudden jolt of the train woke him up.)
• Er spürte einen Ruck im Rücken.
  (He felt a twinge/jerk in his back.)
• Mit einem einzigen Ruck war das Seil durchtrennt.
  (With a single jerk, the rope was severed.)
• Es bedurfte eines kräftigen Rucks, um den Koffer zu schließen.
  (It took a strong pull/jerk to close the suitcase.)
• Nach der Rede des Präsidenten ging ein Ruck durch die Partei.
  (After the president's speech, a wave of change/impulse went through the party.)

✅ When to use 'Ruck'?

The term Ruck is used to describe an abrupt, short movement.

• Everyday life: When something is moved suddenly, e.g., mit einem Ruck die Tür öffnen (to open the door with a jerk), mit einem Ruck aufstehen (to stand up suddenly/with a jolt).
• Technology & Physics: Describes sudden changes in acceleration or mechanical movements (jerk or jolt).
• Figurative / Idiomatic: The phrase ein Ruck muss durch... ('a jolt must go through...') calls for a joint effort, change, or modernization. It became famous through the 1997 speech by German President Roman Herzog (“Durch Deutschland muss ein Ruck gehen.”).

⚠️ Avoid confusing it with 'Rücken' (der Rücken = back), although they are etymologically related.

💡 Mnemonics for 'der Ruck'

Imagine a strong man (der Mann) giving a door a huge jeRk – der Ruck.

It sounds a bit like 'rock' or 'rucksack'. Imagine giving a heavy rucksack a quick Ruck (jerk) to get it onto your back.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Computer einen Ruck gemacht?
Er hatte einen Systemabsturz! 😉

(Why did the computer make a jolt/jerk?
It had a system crash!)

📜 Poem about the Ruck

Ein kleiner Moment, ganz jäh,
Ein Ruck, und schon ist's gescheh'.
Die Tür springt auf, das Seil zerreißt,
Ein kurzer Impuls, der uns mitreißt.
Manchmal braucht's diesen kleinen Schock,
Einen Ruck – und alles ist im Lot.

(A little moment, quite abrupt,
A jerk, and it's already done.
The door springs open, the rope tears apart,
A short impulse that sweeps us along.
Sometimes this little shock is needed,
A jolt – and everything's alright.)

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin kurz und oft ganz plötzlich da,
bewege Dinge, hier und nah.
Manchmal brauchst du mich mit Kraft,
damit etwas endlich wird geschafft.
Man sagt auch, ich soll durch ein Land gehen,
um Neues entstehen zu sehen.

Was bin ich?
(I am short and often suddenly there,
moving things, here and near.
Sometimes you need me with force,
so something finally gets done.
They also say I should go through a country,
to see new things emerge.

What am I?)

Solution: Der Ruck (the jerk/jolt)

⚙️ Other Information

Etymology: The word 'Ruck' comes from Middle High German 'ruc(k)' and is related to the verb 'rücken' (to move, shift something).

Famous Idiom: The phrase Ein Ruck muss durch Deutschland gehen ('A jolt/shake-up must go through Germany') is deeply embedded in political discourse and often quoted when calling for profound reforms or a change in mentality.