plötzlich.
suddenly, abruptly
Meaning & usage
suddenly, abruptly
Während der Fahrt ist der Motor plötzlich ausgegangen.
Where this word comes from
From late Middle High German plotzlich, from Plotz (“clap, slap”) (onomatopoeic), originally adverb, since Luther also in adjectival use. By synchronic analysis, from an onomatopoeic element plotz (“sound of a quick impact or blow”) + -lich (“-like”). Cognate with Hunsrik pletzlich. Compare also Middle Low German plutzlik (> Danish pludselig, Swedish plötslig). Related to Early New High German plözling, whence Yiddish פּלוצלינג (plutsling). Compare also a similar development in Dutch plotseling, which replaced earlier plotzelijk.
sudden, abrupt, brusque
Where this word comes from
From late Middle High German plotzlich, from Plotz (“clap, slap”) (onomatopoeic), originally adverb, since Luther also in adjectival use. By synchronic analysis, from an onomatopoeic element plotz (“sound of a quick impact or blow”) + -lich (“-like”). Cognate with Hunsrik pletzlich. Compare also Middle Low German plutzlik (> Danish pludselig, Swedish plötslig). Related to Early New High German plözling, whence Yiddish פּלוצלינג (plutsling). Compare also a similar development in Dutch plotseling, which replaced earlier plotzelijk.
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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.
Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.