plötzlich

German

Etymology

From late Middle High German plotzlich, from Plotz (“clap, slap”) (onomatopoeic). Cognate with Hunsrik pletzlich. Compare Middle Low German plutzlik (> Danish pludselig), Yiddish פּלוצלינג (plutsling).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈplœt͡slɪç/, [ˈpʰl̥œt͡slɪç]

• Audio:

  (file)

• audio (Austria):

  (file)

Adjective

plötzlich (not comparable)

1. sudden
2. abrupt
3. brusque

Adverb

plötzlich

1. suddenly

Derived terms

• urplötzlich

Further reading

• “plötzlich” in Duden online