guten Flug
The German phrase for "safe flight" is guten Flug.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "good flight".
Which one should you use?
guten Flug is specific to air travel. If you want to wish someone safe travels in a more general sense, regardless of the mode of transport, you should use gute Reise.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase guten Flug is in the accusative case because it is a shortened version of the full sentence Ich wünsche dir einen guten Flug (I wish you a good flight).
Did you know?
- German has a specific word, Flugangst, to describe the fear of flying, which is often discussed when someone is wished a guten Flug but is visibly nervous.
- While English speakers often focus on the 'safety' of a flight, Germans traditionally focus on the quality of the experience by wishing for a 'good' one. Using schönen Flug (beautiful flight) is a very common and equally appropriate alternative to guten Flug.
- The word Flug shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'fly'. This connection is visible in the Proto-Germanic root *flugiz, which describes the action of moving through the air.
Examples in context
- Guten Flug!Have a safe flight.This sentence is useful for wishing someone a safe flight using guten Flug.Tatoeba #139989 by MUIRIEL, translation #3238989 by CK
- Ich wünsche dir einen guten Flug!I wish you a safe flight!
- Einen guten Flug und bis bald!Have a safe flight and see you soon!
Example conversation
At the airport as Laura is about to board her plane.
- JulianKomm gut in Berlin an, Laura.Arrive safely in Berlin, Laura.
- LauraDanke, Julian! Ich melde mich später.Thanks, Julian! I will get in touch later.
- JulianEinen guten Flug wünsche ich dir!I wish you a safe flight!
- LauraVielen Dank, bis bald!Thank you very much, see you soon!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Flug, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
