schleichen
to sneak
To move quietly, slowly, and carefully in order not to be heard or seen.
EXAMPLE
Der Einbrecher schlich durch die dunkle Wohnung.
The burglar sneaked through the dark apartment.
schleichen
to sneak
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Meanings
sich schleichen
to creep in
To arise, enter, or spread slowly and unnoticed. Often refers to mistakes, habits, or feelings.
EXAMPLE
Trotz sorgfältiger Prüfung haben sich einige Fehler in den Bericht geschlichen.
Despite careful checking, a few errors crept into the report.
sich schleichen
to clear off
(colloquial, often derogatory) To leave, disappear. Often used as a rude command ('Schleich dich!' — clear off!).
EXAMPLE
Der Türsteher sagte ihm, er solle sich schleichen und nicht wiederkommen.
The bouncer told him to clear off and not come back.
Usage tips
Auxiliary verb in the perfect tense
Pay attention to the auxiliary verb in the perfect tense! For movement from A to B, 'sein' (to be) is used. With the reflexive forms, 'haben' (to have) is used.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze ist leise ins Zimmer geschlichen.
The cat sneaked quietly into the room.
Reflexive or not
The verb is used without a reflexive pronoun only in the basic meaning 'to move quietly'. When it means that something happens unnoticed or that someone should disappear, it is reflexive ('sich schleichen').
EXAMPLE
Er schlich auf Zehenspitzen aus dem Raum.
He sneaked out of the room on tiptoe.
Typical collocations
In this figurative meaning, 'sich schleichen' (to creep in) is often used for abstract, negative things. Typical phrases are 'Fehler schleichen sich ein' (errors creep in), 'Zweifel schleichen sich ein' (doubts creep in), or 'eine Gewohnheit schleicht sich ein' (a habit creeps in).
EXAMPLE
Obwohl er es nicht wollte, schlich sich die alte Gewohnheit wieder ein.
Although he did not want it to, the old habit crept back in.
Colloquial command
In this meaning, the verb is very colloquial and often rude. The command 'Schleich dich!' is a very direct and rude way to say 'Go away!'
EXAMPLE
Als er merkte, dass er unerwünscht war, schlich er sich von der Party.
When he realized he was not wanted, he slipped away from the party.
Compare with
schleichen vs verschwinden
to disappear
Verschwinden and sich schleichen can both serve as rude commands to leave. “Verschwinde!” is a direct, dismissive order. “Schleich dich!” additionally sounds derogatory or contemptuous and also suggests that the person should leave inconspicuously.
schleichen
Der Besitzer zischte dem Eindringling verächtlich zu: „Schleich dich!“
The owner hissed contemptuously at the intruder, “Clear off!”
verschwinden
Der Besitzer befahl dem Eindringling: „Verschwinde sofort!“
The owner ordered the intruder, “Get lost immediately!”
In real life
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