German word

glücken

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈglʏkən/

Meaning

  • verbwork out

Example

Es ist mir geglückt, den Termin zu verschieben.

I managed to postpone the appointment.

Illustration for glücken (work out)

More examples

Das Experiment ist geglückt.

The experiment worked out.

Core concept

A hoped-for result falls into place through a fortunate turn, like a difficult arrangement finally settling correctly.

Common phrases

  • Es ist mir geglückt

    It worked out for me

  • Das Experiment ist geglückt

    The experiment worked out

  • ihm glückt etwas

    Something works out for him

Similar words

gelingen: An attempt succeeds and produces the intended result.
klappen: A plan goes smoothly as intended, in a mostly informal style.
schaffen: A task or job is completed through effort and persistence.
funktionieren: A device or system works properly and fulfills its purpose.

Definition in German

glücken heißt, dass etwas jemandem gelingt; das Verb wird oft unpersönlich mit Dativ verwendet.

Word origin

Glücken derives from the noun Glück ('luck') and developed from Middle High German gelücken, linking success with favorable fortune.

Usage tips

  • Glücken commonly appears impersonally with es and a dative, as in 'Es ist mir geglückt', rather than with the successful person as subject.

Other meanings

  • succeedverb

Opposites

Related words

  • das Glücklucknoun
  • glücklichhappyadjective
  • Glücksfallstroke of lucknoun

Word lists with this word