die  Bruchlandung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʁʊxˌlantʊŋ/

✈️ What exactly is a Bruchlandung?

The word die Bruchlandung has two main meanings:

1. Literal Meaning: A landing of an aircraft (or occasionally another flying object) where the aircraft sustains significant damage (Bruch means break or fracture). This often happens after a technical malfunction or in an emergency, but it's not necessarily a controlled emergency landing (Notlandung) at a designated spot. Something literally breaks.
2. Figurative Meaning: A sudden, often spectacular failure, flop, or setback in a project, career, relationship, or other endeavor. One doesn't 'land' smoothly at the goal but fails abruptly.

🚨 Caution: A Notlandung (emergency landing) is not automatically a Bruchlandung. An emergency landing can also occur without damaging the aircraft.

Article rules for der, die, and das

The Grammar behind die Bruchlandung 🧐

Die Bruchlandung is a feminine noun. Its gender determines the article 'die' in the nominative and accusative singular, and 'der' in the dative and genitive singular.

Example Sentences

1. Das Kleinflugzeug machte nach dem Motorausfall eine Bruchlandung auf einem Feld.
   (The small plane made a crash landing in a field after the engine failure.)
2. Glücklicherweise überlebten alle Passagiere die Bruchlandung.
   (Fortunately, all passengers survived the crash landing.)
3. Sein Versuch, das Unternehmen zu retten, endete in einer finanziellen Bruchlandung.
   (His attempt to save the company ended in a financial disaster/crash.)
4. Nach der Präsentation war klar: Das Projekt erlitt eine Bruchlandung.
   (After the presentation, it was clear: the project suffered a complete failure / crash-landed.)

When to use 'die Bruchlandung'? 🤔

Context is key!

• In aviation: Used when discussing a plane crash where the aircraft is heavily damaged but perhaps not completely destroyed. It implies a harder impact than a normal landing or often even a planned emergency landing (Notlandung).
• Figuratively: Very commonly used to describe a sudden and clear failure. It can refer to professional projects, financial investments, political campaigns, or even personal relationships. The metaphor suggests a lack of control and an unpleasant end.

Distinction from 'Notlandung': A Notlandung is an emergency landing outside the regular flight schedule due to an emergency. It can end without damage. A Bruchlandung always implies significant damage to the aircraft.

Memory Aids for Bruchlandung 🧠

For the article (die): Think of 'Die!' which sounds like something you might exclaim during a crash landing. Also, many words ending in '-ung' are feminine (die Landung - the landing), and adding Bruch (break) doesn't change the gender: it remains die Bruchlandung.

For the meaning: Imagine something breaking (Bruch) upon landing (Landung). This image works for both a wrecked airplane and a failed project that 'crashes and burns'.

Similar and Opposite Terms 🔄

⚠️ Note: Not every Notlandung (emergency landing) is a Bruchlandung. An Absturz (crash) is usually more severe than a Bruchlandung.

A Little Joke 😂

Fragt der Fluglehrer den nervösen Schüler nach seiner ersten Sololandung: "Na, wie war's?"
Schüler: "Ging so. Eine typische Bruchlandung eben."
Lehrer: "Wieso Bruchlandung? Das Flugzeug sieht doch ganz aus!"
Schüler: "Das Flugzeug ja, aber schauen Sie mal in meine Hose..."

--- Translation ---

The flight instructor asks the nervous student after his first solo landing: "Well, how was it?"
Student: "So-so. Just a typical crash landing."
Instructor: "Why crash landing? The plane looks fine!"
Student: "The plane does, but take a look inside my pants..."

Poem about Landing 📜

Der Motor stottert, Rauch zieht auf,
Ein jähes Ende nimmt den Lauf.
Kein sanftes Gleiten, nein, ein Krach,
Das Schicksal schlägt mit Wucht nun flach.
Am Boden liegt, was einst geflogen,
Die Bruchlandung hat uns betrogen.
Auch Pläne können so zerschellen,
Wenn Hoffnungsfunken jäh verquellen.

--- Translation ---

The engine sputters, smoke ascends,
An abrupt ending now transcends.
No gentle glide, instead a crack,
Fate strikes a heavy, flat attack.
On ground lies what once flew so high,
The crash landing made us sigh.
Plans too can shatter in this way,
When sparks of hope just fade away.

Guess What! 🤔

Ich komme oft unerwartet,
Bin das Ende einer Reise, die missartet.
Metall verbeult, das Ziel verfehlt,
Auch ein Projekt hab ich schon oft gequält.

Was bin ich?

--- Translation ---

I often come unexpectedly,
Am the end of a journey gone badly.
Metal dented, the goal missed near,
A project too, I've often tormented, I fear.

What am I?

Solution: die Bruchlandung (the crash landing / failure)

Word Origin & Trivia 🧩

Word Composition:

The word "Bruchlandung" is a compound noun, composed of:

• der Bruch (noun): The break, fracture, rupture, damage.
• die Landung (noun): The landing (usually of an aircraft).

Together, they form the meaning of a landing associated with breakage or damage.

Trivia: The term is often used in media reports to describe dramatic events – both in aviation and figuratively (e.g., in politics or business).