schlafen
to sleep
To be in the state of sleep in order to recover physically and mentally.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Arbeitstag wollte ich nur noch schlafen.
After the long workday, I only wanted to sleep.
schlafen
to sleep
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Meanings
mit jemandem schlafen
to sleep with someone
A euphemistic way of saying to have sexual intercourse.
EXAMPLE
In der Serie wird angedeutet, dass die beiden Hauptfiguren miteinander geschlafen haben.
In the series, it is implied that the two main characters slept with each other.
schlafen
to be asleep
Colloquial for being inattentive or not paying attention.
EXAMPLE
Hast du im Unterricht geschlafen? Der Lehrer hat das gerade erklärt.
Were you asleep in class? The teacher just explained that.
schlafen
to fall asleep
Describes the numb, tingling feeling in a body part, often when the blood supply has been briefly interrupted.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Sitzen ist mir das Bein eingeschlafen.
After sitting for so long, my leg fell asleep.
schlafen
to lie dormant
Figurative for being present unused or hidden; a potential that has not been activated.
EXAMPLE
In dieser alten Idee schläft noch immer ein großes Potenzial.
There is still great potential lying dormant in this old idea.
Usage tips
Auxiliary verb in the perfect tense
The verb 'schlafen' (to sleep) always forms the perfect tense with the auxiliary verb 'haben' (to have). It is not a verb of motion, even if you move while sleeping.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe heute Nacht sehr gut geschlafen.
I slept very well last night.
Typical adverbs
To describe the quality of sleep, 'schlafen' (to sleep) is often combined with adverbs like 'tief' (deeply), 'fest' (soundly), 'gut' (well), 'schlecht' (badly), or 'lange' (for a long time).
EXAMPLE
Wegen des Lärms habe ich die ganze Nacht schlecht geschlafen.
Because of the noise, I slept badly all night.
Sentence structure with 'mit'
In the euphemistic meaning for sexual intercourse, the preposition 'mit' (with) is crucial. The structure is always 'mit jemandem schlafen' (to sleep with someone).
EXAMPLE
Sie fragte ihn direkt, ob er mit ihrer Freundin geschlafen habe.
She asked him directly whether he had slept with her friend.
Colloquial use
The meaning 'to be inattentive' is very colloquial. It is often used as a rhetorical question to point out someone's lack of attention.
EXAMPLE
Schläfst du? Ich habe dich etwas gefragt!
Are you asleep? I asked you something!
Sentence structure with dative
When a body part becomes numb, German uses the separable verb 'einschlafen' (to fall asleep) with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be). The person this happens to is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Mir ist beim Fernsehen der Fuß eingeschlafen.
My foot fell asleep while I was watching TV.
Figurative use
In the figurative meaning of unused potential, 'schlafen' (to sleep / to lie dormant) is often used with the preposition 'in'. The structure is 'in etwas/jemandem schläft ein Potenzial/Talent' (potential/talent lies dormant in something/someone).
EXAMPLE
In diesem jungen Spieler schläft ein großes Talent.
There is great talent lying dormant in this young player.
Compare with
schlafen vs übernachten
to stay overnight
Schlafen refers to the actual state of sleep. Übernachten, on the other hand, refers to the entire stay overnight away from one’s own home and emphasizes the location. When talking about sleep itself, use schlafen; for the stay, use übernachten.
schlafen
Im Hotel konnte ich trotz des Straßenlärms kaum schlafen.
Despite the traffic noise, I could barely sleep at the hotel.
übernachten
Wegen des späten Termins werde ich heute im Hotel übernachten.
Because of the late appointment, I will stay overnight at the hotel tonight.
In real life
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