Before you start
Meet einschlafen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
ein- + schlafen
- ein-
- into a state or condition
- schlafen
- to sleep
You pass into the state of sleeping.
So einschlafen means to fall asleep.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: ein·schlafen
In a main clause the prefix ein splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseMein Bruder schläft im Auto ein.My brother falls asleep in the car.
Subordinate clauseIch lese, bis mein Kind einschläft.I read until my child falls asleep.
Participle: eingeschlafenzu-infinitive: einzuschlafen
Forms
How einschlafen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | schlafe ein | schlief ein |
| du | schläfst ein | schliefst ein |
| er/sie/es | schläft ein | schlief ein |
| wir | schlafen ein | schliefen ein |
| ihr | schlaft ein | schliefet ein |
| Sie | schlafen ein | schliefen ein |
Partizip II eingeschlafen · Perfekt with sein
Three examples
- 1Ich schlafe heute früh ein.I’m going to fall asleep early today.prefix goes to the end
- 2Das Baby ist schnell eingeschlafen.The baby fell asleep quickly.Perfekt with sein
- 3Ich kann nach dem Kaffee nicht einschlafen.I can’t fall asleep after coffee.infinitive after a modal
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
einschlafen + das Kind
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use das Kind as the subject.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I fell asleep on the trainder Zug.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When I was a childdas Kind, I fell asleep in the cardas Auto.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He fell asleep because the filmder Film was boringlangweilig.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The child who fell asleep is my sonder Sohn.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We can help them fall asleep.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I read a bookdas Buch to fall asleep fasterschnell.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Could you fall asleep with the windowdas Fenster openoffen?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
einschlafen + das Baby + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Use das Baby as the subject of the main clause.
- 2Add an obwohl-clause explaining the situation.
- 3Put the conjugated verb at the end of that clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When do you usually fall asleep? Answer in one German sentence using the verb.
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence using the present tense.
- 2Say when you usually fall asleep.