Translation of German word "schlafen" to English
schlafen
/ˈʃlafən/
Meaning
VerbTo rest in a state of reduced consciousness.
How to use
The strong verb schlafen ('to sleep') changes its root vowel in singular present: ich schlafe, du schläfst, er schläft. Past forms: schlief, hat geschlafen. The related prefix verb einschlafen means 'to fall asleep' (requires sein as auxiliary, e.g., Ich bin eingeschlafen).
🇬🇧 English
to sleep
Example
Sie sollten acht Stunden am Tag schlafen.
You should sleep eight hours a day.
Letzte Nacht haben wir zum ersten Mal zusammen geschlafen.
Last night we slept together for the first time.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- gut schlafen— to sleep well
- einschlafen— to fall asleep (separable verb, perfect with 'sein')
- ausschlafen— to sleep in / get enough sleep (separable)
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "schlafen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich habe geschlafen
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #190 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "schlafen"?▼
The German word "schlafen" is defined as: "To rest in a state of reduced consciousness."
What does the German word "schlafen" mean?▼
The German word "schlafen" means "to sleep" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "schlafen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "schlafen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "schlafen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Ich schlafe jetzt." (which translates as "You should sleep eight hours a day.").
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