der
Sinkflug
✈️ What exactly does "der Sinkflug" mean?
The term der Sinkflug (noun, masculine) primarily describes two processes:
- In aviation: The planned process where an aircraft or other aerial vehicle loses altitude, typically in preparation for landing. It is the opposite of der Steigflug (climb).
- Figuratively: A process of decline, deterioration, or loss of value. This can refer to economic trends, careers, moods, or other areas where a downward trend is observed.
⚠️ Important: Although "sinken" can also mean uncontrolled falling, der Sinkflug in aviation is a controlled procedure.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ug → mostly masculine.
Caution: der Flug but das Zeug/ das Flugzeug.
🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: Der Sinkflug
The word "Sinkflug" is a masculine noun. The article is der.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Sinkflug |
| Genitive | des | Sinkflug(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Sinkflug(e) |
| Accusative | den | Sinkflug |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Sinkflüge |
| Genitive | der | Sinkflüge |
| Dative | den | Sinkflügen |
| Accusative | die | Sinkflüge |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Pilot leitete den Sinkflug auf den Zielflughafen ein. (The pilot initiated the descent towards the destination airport.)
- Nach den schlechten Quartalszahlen befand sich die Aktie im Sinkflug. (After the poor quarterly results, the stock was in decline/freefall.)
- Der lange Sinkflug des Ballons endete sanft auf einer Wiese. (The balloon's long descent ended gently in a meadow.)
- Seine politische Karriere erlebte einen rasanten Sinkflug. (His political career experienced a rapid decline.)
💡 How to use "Sinkflug"?
The usage of der Sinkflug depends on the context:
- Aviation context: Here the term is technical and precise. One talks about initiating, performing, or ending den Sinkflug. Example: "Der Tower genehmigte den Sinkflug auf 5000 Fuß." (The tower approved the descent to 5000 feet.)
- Figurative context: Here the word is used metaphorically to describe a downward trend or decline. It often carries a negative connotation. Example: "Seit der Affäre befindet sich sein Ansehen im Sinkflug." (Since the affair, his reputation has been in decline.) or "Die Wirtschaft erlebte einen unerwarteten Sinkflug." (The economy experienced an unexpected downturn.)
There is little risk of confusion, as the context usually makes the meaning clear. Similar terms like Abstieg (descent, relegation) or Niedergang (decline, downfall) can be used synonymously depending on the nuance, but Sinkflug is particularly vivid when a previous ascent or high state is implied.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article mnemonic: Think of der Pilot (the pilot, masculine) – he is responsible for der Sinkflug. Masculine responsibility for the masculine action.
Meaning mnemonic (Aviation): The plane has to sink during its Flug (flight) to land -> Sinkflug.
Meaning mnemonic (Figurative): Imagine stock prices or popularity ratings "flying" downwards on a screen – like in a Sinkflug (nosedive/decline).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Der Sinkflug
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- For aviation: Landeanflug (approach, partly), Abstieg (descent)
- For decline: Niedergang (decline, downfall), Abstieg (descent, decline), Rückgang (decrease, decline), Verfall (decay, decline), Abschwung (downturn), Talfahrt (downward trend, slump)
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
- For aviation: Steigflug (climb), Start (takeoff)
- For decline: Aufstieg (ascent, rise), Aufschwung (upswing, boom), Zunahme (increase), Verbesserung (improvement), Boom, Höhenflug (high flight, peak period)
Be cautious with similar words:
😂 A little Joke
Fragt der Passagier den Piloten: "Ist dieser Sinkflug normal?"
Pilot: "Keine Sorge, wir fallen nur mit Stil!"
Passenger asks the pilot: "Is this descent normal?"
Pilot: "Don't worry, we're just falling with style!"
📜 A short Poem
Der Flieger hoch, die Welt so klein,
doch bald schon muss er tiefer sein.
Der Sinkflug sanft, ein leises Gleiten,
dem Boden zu, durch Wolken weiten.
Auch mancher Traum, einst hoch geschwebt,
erlebt, wie er im Sinkflug lebt.
The plane flies high, the world so small,
But soon it must descend for all.
The descent soft, a gentle glide,
Towards the ground, through clouds so wide.
Even some dreams, once soared so high,
Experience descent beneath the sky.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bringe Vögel aus Stahl zur Erde,
manchmal beschreib' ich auch fallende Werte.
Kontrolliert senk' ich, was vorher stieg,
im Himmel und in der Statistik.
Was bin ich?
I bring birds of steel down to the earth,
Sometimes I also describe falling worth.
Controlled, I lower what rose before,
In the sky and in statistical lore.
What am I?
Solution: der Sinkflug
🧩 Other Details
Word Composition:
The word "Sinkflug" is a compound noun, composed of:
- sink(en): verb, meaning: to lose altitude, to go down, to sink.
- Flug: noun (der Flug), meaning: flight.
So, literally a "flight during which sinking occurs".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Sinkflug?
The word "Sinkflug" is a masculine noun, so the correct article is der. It describes both the controlled loss of altitude of an aircraft (descent) and, figuratively, a decline or downturn. Its declension follows the standard pattern for masculine nouns in German.