verb
rutschen
slide · slip
sich auf einer glatten Fläche nach unten oder zur Seite bewegen, ohne fest zu stehen.
Meaning (English):
- to slip / slide (often unintentionally): to lose footing and move uncontrollably on a smooth or wet surface.
- to slide / glide (often intentionally): to move smoothly along a surface, e.g. on a slide, on snow, or an object sliding.
- figurative: to slip (down) in rank, quality, or situation (e.g. “to slide into debt,” “to slip into a crisis”).
Typical uses:
- ausrutschen = to slip (and often nearly fall or fall) because the ground is slippery.
- runterrutschen / abrutschen = to slide down (physically or figuratively).
Parts / word structure
- rutsch- (stem related to sliding/slipping)
- -en (verb infinitive ending)
Related words: der Rutsch (a slide/slip), die Rutsche (a playground slide), rutschig (slippery).
German synonyms (depending on context)
- gleiten (to glide)
- schlittern (to skid or slide, often uncontrolled)
- ausgleiten (to slip)
- abrutschen (to slip/slide down; also figurative)
- hinabrutschen (to slide down)
German antonyms (context-dependent)
- haften (to adhere, stick)
- feststehen / stabil stehen (to stand firmly)
- stehen bleiben (to remain in place)
- klettern / aufsteigen (to climb / rise; especially as an opposite to abrutschen)
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Examples
Die Kinder rutschen auf dem Spielplatz.verb
The children slide on the playground.
Er ist auf dem Eis ausgerutscht.verb
He slipped on the ice.
Die Kinder rutschen von der Rutsche.verb
The kids are sliding down the slide.
Kinder rutschen den Hang hinunter.verb
Children slide down the slope.
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