vergänglich
transient
Not lasting; existing only for a limited time and then disappearing or changing.
EXAMPLE
Jugend und Schönheit sind vergänglich.
Youth and beauty are transient.
vergänglich
transient / fleeting
vergänglich – vergänglicher – am vergänglichsten
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry vergänglich, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | vergänglich |
|---|---|
| comparative | vergänglicher |
| superlative | am vergänglichsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to vergänglich.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to vergänglich.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to vergänglich.
Usage tips
Word family
'Vergänglich' belongs to the word family of 'vergehen' (to pass away). This connection helps you remember it: What passes away does not remain permanently.
EXAMPLE
Die vergängliche Natur des Lebens beschäftigt viele Philosophen.
The transient nature of life concerns many philosophers.
Typical collocations
Common collocations include 'vergängliche Schönheit' (transient beauty), 'vergänglicher Ruhm' (fleeting fame), and 'vergängliche Momente' (fleeting moments). The adjective often appears before abstract concepts or human experiences.
EXAMPLE
Sein vergänglicher Ruhm konnte ihn auf Dauer nicht glücklich machen.
His fleeting fame could not make him happy in the long run.
Style and register
'Vergänglich' occurs particularly often in literary, philosophical, and reflective texts. It is frequently used in statements about time, life, beauty, or memories.
EXAMPLE
In ihrem Gedicht beschreibt die Autorin die vergängliche Schönheit eines Sommertages.
In her poem, the author describes the fleeting beauty of a summer day.
In real life
Loading video examples...