guten Flug
The English phrase "good flight" is translated into German as guten Flug.
You use Guten Flug! as a parting wish when someone is about to depart on an airplane. Depending on the level of formality, you might also use the phrase Ich wünsche Ihnen einen guten Flug (I wish you a good flight) in formal situations or Einen angenehmen Flug (a pleasant flight) as a more formal alternative. In informal settings, you can say Hab einen guten Flug! (have a good flight) or even the colloquial Mach's gut im Flieger! (have a good one on the plane). Another common expression is Gute Reise und komm gut an!, which means "have a good trip and arrive safely".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of guten, which is the inflected form of the adjective gut (good) and Flug, which is the masculine noun for "flight".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase guten Flug is in the accusative case because it is a shortened version of Ich wünsche dir einen guten Flug (I wish you a good flight). If the phrase is the subject of a sentence, you would use the nominative form guter Flug, as seen in Ein guter Flug ist wichtig (A good flight is important).
When do people say it?
When someone says Guten Flug! to you, and you are also traveling, a common and polite response is Danke, gleichfalls! (Thanks, same to you!).
Did you know?
- To sound like a local at a German airport, you might hear Guten Flug, komm heil zurück!, which specifically wishes for the traveler to return 'unharmed'.
- While guten Flug is used for aviation, Germans often use gute Fahrt for any trip involving a vehicle on wheels, such as a car or train.
- In the colloquial phrase Mach's gut im Flieger!, the word Flieger can refer to both the aircraft and the pilot.
Examples in context
- Willkommen in Berlin! Guten Flug gehabt?Welcome to Berlin! Did you have a good flight?This sentence shows how to ask if someone had a good flight using guten Flug.Tatoeba #9819675 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9819679 by DJ_Saidez
- Guten Flug!Have a good flight.This is a standard way to wish someone a good flight using guten Flug.Tatoeba #139989 by MUIRIEL, translation #3428375 by CK
- Hab einen guten Flug und bis baldHave a good flight and see you soon
- Ich wünsche dir einen guten Flug.I wish you a good flight.
Example conversation
Hannah is seeing Felix off at the airport.
- HannahDein Flug geht bald.Your flight is leaving soon.
- FelixJa, ich muss jetzt gehen.Yes, I have to go now.
- HannahTschüss, Felix, guten Flug!Bye, Felix, good flight!
- FelixDanke, Hannah! Bis bald.Thanks, Hannah! See you soon.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
