Tell me more ×
German Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for speakers of German wanting to discuss the finer points of the language and translation. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 4 down vote favorite

What's the exact difference and how should those words be used?

P.S.: Is it when we talk about air travel and land travel?

share|improve this question
2  
Flug = flight / Fahrt = drive --> Abflug = takeoff / Abfahrt = yeah.. leaving a place (departure has both meaning, so it doesn't fit at all) – Em1 Apr 12 '12 at 7:13
1  
I've heard Abflug in the sense of departure in colloquial use. Aufbruch would be a way to express the same meaning in standard language. – Ansgar Esztermann Apr 12 '12 at 7:59
@AnsgarEsztermann Do you mean Mach' 'nen Abflug? I don't think that the question is about such a thing. – Em1 Apr 12 '12 at 8:05
@Em1 No, I was thinking of a one-word sentence, Abflug!, in the sense of We shall leave immediately, everyone who wants to join us should do so now – Ansgar Esztermann Apr 12 '12 at 8:17
@Em1: In this case it is used metaphorical, as other metaphors too. – user unknown Apr 12 '12 at 8:26
show 1 more comment

2 Answers

up vote 5 down vote accepted

Abflug (masc.) is the departure of a means of transport that can fly (e.g. an airplane). Abfahrt (fem.) of those that can be driven on the ground (e.g. a car). So, when talking about air travel, use the former, when talking about land travel, the latter. As a neutral word for all kind of travels you could use "Abreise" (fem.).

share|improve this answer
up vote 5 down vote

The literal meaning has been described by AGuyCalledGerald already...

I'd like to add the figure of speech meanings, as far as I know them:

Abflug can be a general departure in "slang"

Ich mach' einen Abflug.

basically means that I will leave that bar, party or BBQ You can also use it tell people to go away.

Mach 'nen Abflug.

Abfahrt is used to describe an intense part of a DJ Set or Song... for example a loooong trance break and then the snare roll and then finally the base kicks in; that would be a reason to scream "Abfaaaaahrt"

For completion Abfahrt is also the correct word in a ski resort both for the downhill track and the action of riding it down. This meaning uses ab as down rather than of

share|improve this answer
Your answer is completely correct and, though, your answer is completely off-topic. – Em1 Apr 12 '12 at 9:58
1  
As a non-German learning the language, it's fascinating to learn of these kinds of colloquial usages of words, even if it's not the "correct" usage of the word in the purely grammatical sense. – CraigTP Apr 30 '12 at 8:11

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.