der  Rückflug

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁʏkˌfluːk/

✈️ What does 'der Rückflug' mean?

Der Rückflug is the German word for the return flight. It refers to the journey by airplane back to the starting point of a trip or back home. It's typically the second part of a round-trip flight, consisting of an outbound flight (Hinflug) and a return flight (Rückflug).

The word always takes the masculine article der.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Rückflug

The noun "Rückflug" is masculine, so you use the article der. Here’s how it declines (changes form) in different cases:

Example Sentences

1. Wann ist dein Rückflug von Madrid? (When is your return flight from Madrid?)
2. Wir müssen den Rückflug leider stornieren. (Unfortunately, we have to cancel the return flight.)
3. Die Rückflüge waren alle ausgebucht. (The return flights were all booked up.)
4. Ich freue mich schon auf den Rückflug nach Hause. (I'm already looking forward to the return flight home.)

🗣️ How to use 'Rückflug'?

Der Rückflug is primarily used when talking about travel and air traffic. You use it when planning, booking, or discussing a flight journey.

• Booking: "Ich brauche einen Hin- und Rückflug nach London." (I need an outbound and return flight to London.)
• Travel Planning: "Der Rückflug geht am Sonntagabend." (The return flight leaves on Sunday evening.)
• After the trip: "Der Rückflug war sehr turbulent." (The return flight was very turbulent.)

It contrasts with der Hinflug (the flight to the destination) or der Abflug (the departure of a plane).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article der: Remember that Flug (flight) is masculine: der Flug. Since "Rückflug" ends in "Flug", it keeps the masculine article: der Rückflug.

For the meaning: Think of flying back (zurück) to where you started. That’s the Rückflug – the flight that brings you back.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Pilot den Passagier: "Hatten Sie einen guten Hinflug?"
Passagier: "Ja, aber ich freue mich jetzt schon auf den Rückflug – da kenne ich das Ende vom Film schon!"

Pilot asks passenger: "Did you have a good outbound flight?"
Passenger: "Yes, but I'm already looking forward to the return flight – I already know how the movie ends!"

📜 Poem about the Return Flight

Die Koffer schwer, das Herz noch leicht,
Der Urlaub ist zu End' erreicht.
Die Sonne sinkt, es wird schon kühl,
Zeit für den Rückflug, das Gefühl.
Hoch über Wolken, silbern, klar,
Bringt uns der Flieger heim, fürwahr.

Suitcases heavy, heart still light,
The holiday has reached its night.
The sun descends, it's getting cool,
Time for the return flight, feel the pull.
High above clouds, silvery, clear,
The plane brings us home, banishes fear.

❓ Riddle

Ich bring dich fort, das ist der Hin.
Doch komm ich auch zurück, macht Sinn.
Durch Wolken geht die zweite Fahrt,
Zurück zum Ort, wo alles war's.

Was bin ich?→ Der Rückflug

I take you away, that's the 'Hin' (outbound).
But I also come back, makes sense all around.
Through clouds goes the second ride,
Back to the place where you started with pride.

What am I?
→ Der Rückflug (The return flight)

🧩 Word Building & More

Word Composition

The word "Rückflug" is a compound noun, formed from:

• Rück-: A prefix indicating movement back or repetition (from 'zurück' meaning 'back').
• Flug: The noun for 'flight' (der Flug).

Good to know

When booking airline tickets, the Rückflug is often part of a package deal (round-trip ticket or Hin- und Rückflugticket), which can sometimes be cheaper than buying two separate one-way tickets.