01
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
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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 träumen
to dream
'schlafen' and 'träumen' both belong to the area of sleep and rest. 'schlafen' describes the state in which you are not awake and are recovering. 'träumen' describes what you experience internally while asleep: images, thoughts, or feelings. So you can sleep without later remembering a dream. The words can also be confused because both can colloquially mean that someone is not paying attention. In that case, 'träumen' sounds more like being lost in thought, while 'schlafen' more strongly says that someone is not attentive at all.
schlafen
Nach der langen Reise hat Lisa zehn Stunden geschlafen.
After the long trip, Lisa slept for ten hours.
träumen
Heute Nacht habe ich von einem Urlaub am Meer geträumt.
Last night I dreamed about a vacation by the sea.
In real life
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