fugitive / fleeting / cursory
Loading your saved state.
fugitive
On the run; having escaped after a crime or from custody and not yet been caught.
Der Bankräuber ist weiterhin flüchtig und wird von der Polizei gesucht.
The bank robber is still a fugitive and is being sought by the police.
fleeting
Lasting only briefly; short-lived and quickly passing.
Ich erhaschte nur einen flüchtigen Blick auf den berühmten Schauspieler.
I caught only a fleeting glimpse of the famous actor.
cursory
Done superficially and without much care or accuracy.
Er hat den Bericht nur flüchtig gelesen und wichtige Details übersehen.
He read the report only cursorily and missed important details.
volatile
In chemistry, the property of a substance that evaporates easily at room temperature.
Benzin ist eine leicht flüchtige Flüssigkeit, weshalb man es gut verschlossen lagern muss.
Gasoline is a highly volatile liquid, which is why it has to be stored tightly sealed.
The adjective 'flüchtig' is closely related to the noun 'die Flucht' (flight/escape). This connection helps you understand the meanings that have to do with escaping, speed, and lack of duration.
Nach dem Einbruch ergriffen die Diebe die Flucht.
After the break-in, the thieves took flight.
In the meaning 'auf der Flucht' (on the run), 'flüchtig' is used almost exclusively in the context of crime and law enforcement. Watch for words like 'Täter' (perpetrator), 'Polizei' (police), 'gesucht' (wanted), or 'Gefängnis' (prison).
Der Verdächtige ist seit gestern Abend flüchtig.
The suspect has been a fugitive since yesterday evening.
When 'flüchtig' means 'kurz andauernd' (brief/short-lived), it is often combined with perceptions or brief social interactions. Typical examples are 'ein flüchtiger Blick' (a fleeting glance), 'eine flüchtige Begegnung' (a fleeting encounter), or 'ein flüchtiger Kuss' (a fleeting kiss).
Es war nur eine flüchtige Begegnung am Bahnhof, aber ich habe sie sofort erkannt.
It was only a fleeting encounter at the train station, but I recognized her immediately.
In the meaning 'oberflächlich' (superficial), 'flüchtig' describes actions that are carried out without care. A very common phrase is 'jemanden nur flüchtig kennen' (to know someone only casually), which means that you do not have a close relationship with the person.
Ich kenne ihn nur flüchtig von einer Konferenz.
I know him only casually from a conference.
The meaning 'leicht verdampfend' (evaporating easily) belongs to the technical language of chemistry and physics. In everyday language, 'flüchtig' is almost never used in this sense.
Alkohol ist eine flüchtige Substanz, die an der Luft schnell verdunstet.
Alcohol is a volatile substance that evaporates quickly in the air.
temporary
Vorübergehend describes a state as limited in time and not permanent. Flüchtig puts greater emphasis on the state being very brief and quickly passing. Use vorübergehend for a limited phase; use flüchtig for a moment that is difficult to hold on to.
Nach dem Gespräch spürte sie nur eine flüchtige Erleichterung.
After the conversation, she felt only fleeting relief.
Nach dem Gespräch spürte sie eine vorübergehende Erleichterung.
After the conversation, she felt temporary relief.
