German Conversation · Level 183
30 words
German word
flüchtig
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈflʏçtɪç/
Meaning
- adjectivefleeting
Example
Er warf einen flüchtigen Blick auf die Uhr.
He cast a fleeting glance at the clock.
More examples
Er warf einen flüchtigen Blick auf das Foto, ohne es genau zu betrachten.
He cast a fleeting glance at the photo without looking at it closely.
Core concept
A brief surface pass leaves only a thin trace, not a lasting or deep impression.
Common phrases
einen flüchtigen Blick
a fleeting glance
eine flüchtige Erinnerung
a fleeting memory
eine flüchtige Bemerkung
a passing remark
Similar words
kurz: Limited in duration or length.
vorübergehend: Temporary, lasting for a while before ending or disappearing.
kurzlebig: Short-lived in existence or effect.
vergänglich: Transitory and unable to endure unchanged over time.
Definition in German
Von kurzer Dauer; nur kurz wahrnehmbar oder bestehend.
Word origin
Flüchtig is related to fliehen and flüchten, whose shared idea of fleeing underlies the sense of something passing quickly.
Usage tips
- English 'fleeting' mainly describes short duration, but German flüchtig can also mean cursory or superficial in evaluative contexts.