fließend
fluent
Refers to the ability to speak a language effortlessly, correctly, and without hesitation.
EXAMPLE
Nach einem Jahr in Spanien sprach sie fließend Spanisch.
After a year in Spain, she spoke fluent Spanish.
fließend
fluent / flowing
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Meanings
fließend
flowing
Describes the movement of liquids or gases; moving continuously.
EXAMPLE
In unserer Hütte gab es kein fließendes Wasser.
There was no running water in our cabin.
fließend
smooth
Describes a gentle, harmonious, and uninterrupted transition or movement.
EXAMPLE
Der Übergang zwischen den beiden Szenen im Film war sehr fließend.
The transition between the two scenes in the film was very smooth.
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'fließend' (fluent/flowing) is the present participle of the verb 'fließen' (to flow). This origin explains all its meanings: a language can 'fließen' like water (you speak effortlessly), liquids 'fließen', and transitions can also be 'fließend' (that is, seamless).
EXAMPLE
Der Redner beeindruckte durch seine fließende Ausdrucksweise.
The speaker impressed everyone with his fluent way of expressing himself.
Use with languages
When it comes to languages, 'fließend' (fluent) is almost always used as an adverb with verbs like 'sprechen' (to speak) or 'beherrschen' (to master). It describes how well someone speaks a language.
EXAMPLE
Sie spricht fließend drei Sprachen.
She speaks three languages fluently.
Typical collocations
In the literal meaning, 'fließend' (flowing) is often combined with 'Wasser' (water) or 'Verkehr' (traffic). 'Fließendes Wasser' is a fixed term for running water from the tap.
EXAMPLE
Trotz der Hauptverkehrszeit war der Verkehr fließend.
Despite rush hour, the traffic was flowing.
Typical collocations
To describe a seamless process, 'fließend' (smooth/flowing) is often combined with nouns such as 'Übergang' (transition) or 'Bewegung' (movement).
EXAMPLE
Die Choreografie zeichnete sich durch fließende Bewegungen aus.
The choreography was characterized by flowing movements.
Compare with
fließend vs laufend
ongoing / continual
Both words can refer to water in motion. „Fließend“ generally describes a liquid flowing continuously, while „laufend“ is used especially for water coming from, for example, a tap. Use „fließend“ for streams and „laufend“ for water flowing out.
fließend
Im Bach sahen wir fließendes Wasser zwischen den Steinen.
We saw water flowing between the stones in the stream.
laufend
Aus dem Hahn lief laufendes Wasser in den Eimer.
Running water flowed from the tap into the bucket.
In real life
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