der Siebenschläfer
dormouse
A small, nocturnal rodent from the dormouse family that hibernates for a long time in winter.
EXAMPLE
Ein Siebenschläfer hat sich auf unserem Dachboden eingenistet.
A dormouse has taken up residence in our attic.
der Siebenschläfer
dormouse / sleepyhead / Seven Sleepers' Day
der Siebenschläfer, die Siebenschläfer
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Meanings
der Siebenschläfer
sleepyhead
A person who sleeps for a long time and a lot.
EXAMPLE
Paul ist ein echter Siebenschläfer und kommt morgens nur schwer aus dem Bett.
Paul is a real sleepyhead and has a hard time getting out of bed in the morning.
der Siebenschläfer
Seven Sleepers' Day
June 27 on the calendar, traditionally associated with a farmers’ proverb about the weather.
EXAMPLE
Am Siebenschläfer regnete es den ganzen Tag.
It rained all day on Seven Sleepers' Day.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Siebenschläfer, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Siebenschläfer |
| genitive | des Siebenschläfers |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Siebenschläfer | die Siebenschläfer |
| accusative | den Siebenschläfer | die Siebenschläfer |
| dative | dem Siebenschläfer | den Siebenschläfern |
| genitive | des Siebenschläfers | der Siebenschläfer |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Siebenschläfer' (dormouse / sleepyhead / Seven Sleepers' Day) is made up of 'sieben' (seven) and 'Schläfer' (sleeper). The compound is a useful memory aid because it points to an animal or person who sleeps especially long.
EXAMPLE
Im Herbst sucht der Siebenschläfer einen geschützten Platz für den Winter.
In autumn, the dormouse looks for a sheltered place to spend the winter.
Typical collocations
When referring to the animal, common phrases include 'einen Siebenschläfer entdecken' (to spot a dormouse), 'einen Siebenschläfer beobachten' (to observe a dormouse), and 'ein Siebenschläfer nistet sich ein' (a dormouse takes up residence). The context often mentions an attic, a garden, or hibernation.
EXAMPLE
Die Familie beobachtete den Siebenschläfer mehrere Nächte lang im Garten.
The family watched the dormouse in the garden for several nights.
Term for a person
When referring to a person, 'Siebenschläfer' (sleepyhead) is often used with 'sein' (to be) and intensifiers such as 'ein echter' (a real) or 'ein richtiger' (a real). The context then usually contains statements about sleeping for a long time or having difficulty getting up.
EXAMPLE
Im Urlaub ist meine Schwester ein richtiger Siebenschläfer und steht selten vor zehn Uhr auf.
On vacation, my sister is a real sleepyhead and rarely gets up before ten.
Calendar tradition
When 'Siebenschläfer' refers to June 27, it is often used with the preposition 'an': 'am Siebenschläfer' (on Seven Sleepers' Day). In this context, the topic is usually a traditional farmers’ proverb and the weather.
EXAMPLE
Am Siebenschläfer war der Himmel wolkenlos und ungewöhnlich warm.
On Seven Sleepers' Day, the sky was cloudless and unusually warm.
In real life
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