gleiten
glide
To move smoothly and continuously over a surface, often with little friction.
EXAMPLE
Der Schwan glitt majestätisch über das Wasser.
The swan glided majestically across the water.
gleiten
to glide
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Meanings
gleiten
slip into
To slowly and imperceptibly pass from one state into another.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Tag glitt sie sanft in den Schlaf.
After the long day, she gently slipped into sleep.
Usage tips
Perfect tense with 'sein'
'Gleiten' (to glide) always forms the perfect tense with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be). This is because it describes movement or a change of state, even if it is slow and gentle.
EXAMPLE
Der Eiskunstläufer ist elegant über das Eis geglitten.
The figure skater glided elegantly across the ice.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'gleiten' (to glide) is often used with prepositions that describe a surface. Common combinations are 'über das Wasser gleiten' (to glide across the water), 'über das Eis gleiten' (to glide across the ice), or 'durch die Luft gleiten' (to glide through the air).
EXAMPLE
Das Segelflugzeug ist lautlos durch die Luft geglitten.
The glider glided silently through the air.
Figurative meaning
The figurative meaning describes a slow, almost unnoticed transition. A typical structure here is 'in einen Zustand gleiten' (to slip into a state), for example 'in den Schlaf gleiten' (to slip into sleep) or 'in eine Krise gleiten' (to slip into a crisis).
EXAMPLE
Das Land ist langsam in eine wirtschaftliche Krise geglitten.
The country slowly slipped into an economic crisis.
Compare with
gleiten vs fahren
to drive / ride
Fahren and gleiten can both describe smooth movement over a surface. With fahren, the person performing the action is usually in focus as they move their hand or an object. With gleiten, the moving body part or object itself is typically the subject.
gleiten
Ihre Hand gleitet vorsichtig über die glatte Tischplatte.
Her hand glides carefully over the smooth tabletop.
fahren
Sie fährt vorsichtig mit der Hand über die glatte Tischplatte.
She carefully runs her hand over the smooth tabletop.
In real life
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