lautlos
silent
Describes something that happens or moves completely without any noise. Synonymous with quiet or noiseless.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze schlich lautlos durch den Garten.
The cat crept silently through the garden.
lautlos
silent
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of 'Laut' (sound/noise) and the ending '-los' (-less), which means 'without'. So 'lautlos' literally means 'without sound' or 'without noise'.
EXAMPLE
Das Elektroauto fuhr fast lautlos an uns vorbei.
The electric car drove past us almost silently.
Use as an adverb
'Lautlos' is very often used as an adverb to describe a verb. In this form, the word stays unchanged and is not declined.
EXAMPLE
Der Dieb bewegte sich lautlos durch das dunkle Haus.
The thief moved silently through the dark house.
Typical collocations
'Lautlos' is often combined with verbs of movement, for example 'schleichen' (to creep), 'gleiten' (to glide), 'sich nähern' (to approach), or 'sich bewegen' (to move).
EXAMPLE
Ein U-Boot kann sich lautlos unter Wasser bewegen.
A submarine can move silently underwater.
Compare with
lautlos vs leise
quiet
Leise means that a movement produces very little noise. Lautlos means that no sound at all can be heard. If someone wants to disturb others as little as possible, they move leise; when complete silence is important, lautlos is the better choice.
lautlos
Sie glitt auf weichen Sohlen lautlos durch den Flur, ohne das Kind zu wecken.
She glided silently through the hallway on soft soles without waking the child.
leise
Sie ging leise durch den Flur, damit das Kind nicht aufwachte.
She walked quietly through the hallway so that the child would not wake up.
In real life
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