silent
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silent / silently
Describing the state in which no one is speaking; without talking or making sounds.
Sie saßen sich eine Weile schweigend gegenüber, bis er das Wort ergriff.
They sat facing each other silently for a while until he began to speak.
'Schweigend' (silent/silently) is the present participle of the verb 'schweigen' (to be silent). It describes a person or thing that is currently being silent and is used like an adjective or adverb.
Der Angeklagte hörte dem Urteil schweigend zu.
The defendant listened to the verdict silently.
'Schweigend' (silent/silently) can stand before a noun as an adjective and is then declined. It can also describe an action as an adverb and then remains unchanged.
Die schweigende Masse wartete auf eine Antwort.
The silent crowd waited for an answer.
The word is often used to describe a quiet but intense atmosphere. Common verbs are 'schweigend dastehen' (to stand there silently), 'schweigend zusehen' (to watch silently), or 'schweigend essen' (to eat silently).
Sie gingen eine Weile schweigend nebeneinander her.
They walked alongside each other silently for a while.
quiet / still
'still' and 'schweigend' both have to do with little or no noise. 'still' is more general: a room, a street, or a person can be 'still' because nothing can be heard. 'schweigend' is used mainly for people who are not speaking. So it describes not talking in particular. The words can be confused because a person who is 'schweigend' is often also 'still'. But 'schweigend' does not fit well with places or things. A hallway is 'still', but not 'schweigend'.
Nach dem Gespräch saßen beide schweigend am Küchentisch.
After the conversation, they both sat silently at the kitchen table.
Nach der Operation war es im Krankenhausflur sehr still.
After the operation, it was very quiet in the hospital hallway.