Glück
German
Etymology
From Middle High German gelücke (12th century), at first along the Lower and Middle Rhine. Borrowed from Old Dutch *gilukki as part of the Flemish knight culture; compare Middle Dutch gelucke (1240), whence modern Dutch geluk. (The fact that the word is attested in High German before Dutch, must be disregarded in view of the minimal attestation of Old Dutch as a whole.) Further origin unknown. Theories include a relation with Dutch luiken (“to close”) in the sense of “that which is concluded, determined”, or with German gelingen (“to succeed”), which is not attested in Dutch, however. Compare English luck for more.
Pronunciation
Noun
Glück n (genitive Glückes or Glücks, no plural)
- happiness; joy; bliss (state or emotion)
- Das größte Glück im Leben ist es, geliebt zu werden.
- The greatest joy in life is to be loved.
- luck; chance (positive coincidence)
- Glück zu haben, ist verfänglicher als Pech zu haben.
- Good luck is more dangerous than bad luck.
Declension
Antonyms
Derived terms
Further reading
- “Glück” in Duden online