glitschig

Glitschig is a German adjective used to describe surfaces or substances with low friction that readily cause slipping. It is commonly applied to wet, greasy, or slimy conditions, such as a floor after rain, spilled liquid, algae on a pool deck, or the slime on certain animals. The term can also describe textures that feel slick to the touch.

In figurative use, glitschig can describe situations or topics that are hard to pin down, evasive, or risky to handle, as in a glitschige Angelegenheit. This sense tends to appear in informal speech and media rather than in formal writing, but it is recognized in everyday language.

Differences to related terms: glitschig emphasizes slippery or friction-reducing qualities often due to moisture or slime; rutschig also means slippery and is frequently used for floors or ground, sometimes with a stronger emphasis on the risk of sliding; glatt denotes smoothness without necessarily implying a slip hazard. The terms can overlap depending on context.

Usage and safety: when surfaces are glitschig, precautions include wearing shoes with good traction and moving carefully to reduce the risk of falls. In descriptive writing, glitschig conveys both a physical sensation and the hazard associated with slip-prone conditions.