Rutschig

Rutschig is a German adjective meaning slippery or slick. It describes surfaces or conditions that cause someone to slip, such as ice, wet floors, oil, or polished pavements. The term is commonly used in everyday language as well as in safety guidance, signage, and weather or travel reports to indicate a slip hazard.

Etymology and pronunciation: Rutschig is formed from the verb rutschen, meaning to slide, with the adjectival suffix -ig. The standard pronunciation is roughly [ˈʁʊt͡ʃɪç]. The word is written with a capital initial only when used as a noun or at the start of a sentence; in normal usage it follows German capitalization rules for adjectives only when inflected.

Grammar and usage: Rutschig inflects like a typical descriptive adjective. Examples include der rutschige Boden, die rutschige Oberfläche, ein rutschiger Gang. With definite articles the ending is -e or -ige forms as appropriate (die rutschige Oberfläche), and with indefinite articles you see ein rutschiger Boden. The comparative form is rutschiger, and the superlative is am rutschigsten or am rutschigsten in colloquial usage. In safety contexts, it is often paired with nouns to contrast with non-slip conditions (rutschfest) or non-slip surfaces.

Related terms and nuance: While rutschig emphasizes slipperiness, glitschig is another German word for slippery, often implying moisture or a slick film. Rutschfest or rutschhemmend describes surfaces designed to resist slipping. The choice among these terms depends on nuance and context, particularly whether the emphasis is on hazard, sensation, or design.