Definition

plötzlich — suddenly

Usage

Temporal adverb expressing unexpected immediacy.

Examples

  • Plötzlich fing es an zu regnen. — Suddenly it started to rain.
  • Er verschwand plötzlich. — He disappeared suddenly.
  • Das kam sehr plötzlich. — That came very suddenly.

Notes

plötzlich = suddenly/all of a sudden. Synonym: auf einmal (all at once). Used to introduce unexpected events in narratives. die Plötzlichkeit = suddenness. Contrast: langsam (slowly/gradually).