schlafend
sleeping
Being in a state of sleep.
EXAMPLE
Bitte sei leise, das Baby liegt schlafend im Nebenzimmer.
Please be quiet, the baby is lying asleep in the next room.
schlafend
sleeping / dormant
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Meanings
schlafend
dormant
In a state of inactivity or rest, but with the potential to become active again; resting, latent. This can refer to accounts, memberships, talents, or even natural phenomena.
EXAMPLE
Das Bankkonto war seit fünf Jahren schlafend und wurde nun reaktiviert.
The bank account had been dormant for five years and has now been reactivated.
schlafend
silent
In business: describes a partner (silent partner) who invests capital in a company but does not actively participate in management.
EXAMPLE
Als schlafender Gesellschafter hat er Anspruch auf einen Teil des Gewinns, trägt aber kein unternehmerisches Risiko über seine Einlage hinaus.
As a silent partner, he is entitled to a share of the profit, but does not bear any business risk beyond his investment.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Schlafend' (sleeping) is the present participle of the verb 'schlafen' (to sleep). This form describes an ongoing action and is often used like an adjective before a noun or as part of the predicate.
EXAMPLE
Der schlafende Hund bemerkte den Postboten nicht.
The sleeping dog did not notice the mail carrier.
Sentence structure and use
You can use 'schlafend' (sleeping) directly before a noun ('der schlafende Gast' — the sleeping guest) or as a description of state with the verb 'sein' (to be): 'der Gast ist schlafend' (the guest is sleeping).
EXAMPLE
Weck den schlafenden Löwen nicht.
Don't wake the sleeping lion.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning 'inactive' from the context. It is used for things or abstract concepts, not for living beings that are currently sleeping. Typical nouns are 'Konto' (account), 'Mitgliedschaft' (membership), or 'Talent' (talent).
EXAMPLE
In ihm schlummern noch viele schlafende Talente.
There are still many dormant talents slumbering within him.
Fixed expression
In a business context, the combination 'schlafender Gesellschafter' (silent partner) is a fixed expression. It refers to an investor who only provides capital but does not work in the company.
EXAMPLE
Er ist nur schlafender Gesellschafter und nicht in die täglichen Entscheidungen involviert.
He is only a silent partner and is not involved in the daily decisions.
Compare with
schlafend vs still
quiet / still
In a business context, both words refer to a provider of capital who does not take an active role in running the business. Stiller Gesellschafter (silent partner) is the established term used in a partnership agreement. Schlafender Gesellschafter can describe the same inactive investor, but it is not the established term.
schlafend
Der Wirtschaftsbericht beschreibt Amir als schlafenden Gesellschafter ohne aktive Geschäftsführung.
The business report describes Amir as a dormant partner who is not involved in active management.
still
Im Gesellschaftsvertrag wird Amir als stiller Gesellschafter geführt.
Amir is listed as a silent partner in the partnership agreement.
In real life
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