fleeing
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fleeing
Describes a person or animal that is currently fleeing or trying to escape from a place or a danger.
Die Polizei verfolgte den flüchtenden Dieb durch die engen Gassen.
The police chased the fleeing thief through the narrow alleys.
The word 'flüchtend' (fleeing) is the present participle of the verb 'flüchten' (to flee). It describes a person or animal that is currently performing the action of fleeing and is used like an adjective.
Ein flüchtendes Reh sprang plötzlich auf die Straße.
A fleeing deer suddenly jumped into the road.
'Flüchtend' (fleeing) is almost always used directly before a noun (attributively). Use after the noun with 'sein' (to be) (predicatively) is very rare and often sounds unnatural.
Die Zeugin beschrieb den flüchtenden Mann sehr genau.
The witness described the fleeing man very precisely.
This adjective is frequently used in reports about crimes or in nature observation. Typical nouns are 'der flüchtende Täter' (the fleeing perpetrator), 'der flüchtende Verdächtige' (the fleeing suspect), or 'das flüchtende Tier' (the fleeing animal).
Der Kameramann filmte die flüchtende Gazelle in der Savanne.
The camera operator filmed the fleeing gazelle in the savanna.
fugitive / fleeting / cursory
'flüchtig' and 'flüchtend' both have to do with fleeing and can therefore easily be confused. 'flüchtend' describes a person or animal that is currently running away or escaping. So it is about the ongoing action. 'flüchtig' describes more the state after an escape: someone has escaped and has not yet been caught. Especially in news reports or police statements, you often see 'der flüchtige Täter' (the fugitive perpetrator). Memory tip: 'flüchtend' means currently fleeing; 'flüchtig' means not yet caught.
Ein flüchtender Hund rannte plötzlich über die Straße.
A fleeing dog suddenly ran across the street.
Die Polizei sucht weiter nach dem flüchtigen Fahrer.
The police are still searching for the fugitive driver.