schlüpfen
to slip
To move quickly, quietly, and nimbly through a narrow opening or past something.
EXAMPLE
Die Maus schlüpfte schnell in ein Loch in der Wand.
The mouse quickly slipped into a hole in the wall.
schlüpfen
to slip / hatch
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Meanings
schlüpfen
to slip on/off
To quickly and easily slide into or out of a piece of clothing.
EXAMPLE
Am Morgen schlüpfte sie nur schnell in ihre Jeans und ein T-Shirt.
In the morning, she just quickly slipped into her jeans and a T-shirt.
schlüpfen
to hatch
The act of a young animal (bird, reptile, insect) leaving the egg at birth.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben stundenlang zugesehen, bis das erste Küken endlich aus dem Ei geschlüpft ist.
We watched for hours until the first chick finally hatched from the egg.
in eine Rolle schlüpfen
to slip into a role
In a figurative sense, to take on the identity or function of another person, especially as an actor.
EXAMPLE
Für ihren neuen Film musste die Schauspielerin in die Rolle einer knallharten Kommissarin schlüpfen.
For her new film, the actress had to slip into the role of a tough-as-nails detective.
Usage tips
Perfect tense with 'sein'
Because 'schlüpfen' (to slip / hatch) describes a movement or a change of state, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), not with 'haben' (to have).
EXAMPLE
Die Katze ist schnell unter das Bett geschlüpft.
The cat quickly slipped under the bed.
Important prepositions
The verb 'schlüpfen' (to slip / hatch) is almost always accompanied by a preposition that indicates direction. Typical prepositions are 'in' (accusative), 'aus' (dative), or 'durch' (accusative).
EXAMPLE
Er schlüpfte aus seinen nassen Schuhen.
He slipped out of his wet shoes.
Fixed combination
When talking about animals being born from eggs, the fixed combination 'aus dem Ei schlüpfen' (to hatch from the egg) is used. This is the standard expression for this process.
EXAMPLE
Nach 21 Tagen sind die Küken aus den Eiern geschlüpft.
After 21 days, the chicks hatched from the eggs.
Fixed expression
The expression 'in eine Rolle schlüpfen' (to slip into a role) is very common. It is used not only for actors, but for any person who takes on a specific function or identity.
EXAMPLE
Als ältestes Kind musste sie oft in die Rolle der Verantwortlichen schlüpfen.
As the oldest child, she often had to slip into the role of the responsible one.
Compare with
schlüpfen vs anziehen
to put on / attract
Anziehen neutrally describes putting on a piece of clothing. Schlüpfen in a piece of clothing emphasizes that this happens quickly and easily by sliding into it. For the general process, anziehen is appropriate; for a quick, effortless movement, schlüpfen is more vivid.
schlüpfen
Als es plötzlich regnet, schlüpft Tom schnell in seine Jacke.
When it suddenly starts to rain, Tom quickly slips into his jacket.
anziehen
Vor dem Spaziergang zieht Tom seine Jacke an.
Before the walk, Tom puts on his jacket.
In real life
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