schlagartig
Translation
suddenly, abruptly, all of a sudden
Examples
Das Wetter änderte sich schlagartig.
The weather changed suddenly.
Mir wurde schlagartig klar, was los war.
It suddenly became clear to me what was going on.
Grammar Patterns
as an adverb describing a sudden change: 'to change suddenly' The weather changed suddenly.
Similar Words
Synonyms: plötzlich, abrupt; Antonyms: allmählich (gradually), langsam (slowly)
Etymology
From 'Schlag' (a blow, a strike) + '-artig' (-like, in the manner of). Literally 'strike-like', implying suddenness.
Memory Tips
Imagine something happening as fast and unexpectedly as a strike of lightning ('Blitzschlag').