Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| ruhig | /ˈʁuː.ɪç/ /ʁʊɪ̯ç/ |
| still | /ʃtɪl/ |
| leise | /ˈlaɪ.zə/ /ˈlaɛ̯.sɛ/ (Austria) |
These adjectives describe different aspects of being quiet, such as low volume, a lack of movement or a state of calm. Related to these is the verb ruhen, which means to cause someone or something to become quiet.
Which one should you use?
The choice between these words depends on what kind of quiet you mean. Use leise when referring specifically to low volume or a soft sound. Use ruhig to describe a peaceful atmosphere or a person's calm temperament rather than just the volume of sound. Use still to describe a complete absence of movement or sound, which often implies a profound or heavy silence.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ruhig can also function as an adverb to describe how an action is performed, meaning 'calmly' or 'quietly'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʁuː.ɪç/ (two syllables, stress on the first syllable)
What mistakes should you avoid?
When asking someone to lower their volume because they are being too loud, use leise instead of ruhig. If you want someone to stop making noise entirely or to stop moving, use still.
When do people say it?
To politely ask someone to be quiet by lowering their volume, you can use the phrase leise sein. If you want to make a polite request for silence or calmness, you can use Bitte um Ruhe.
Did you know?
- The word ruhig can be used to mean 'feel free to' or 'go ahead' in certain contexts, such as Du kannst ruhig kommen, meaning 'you are welcome to come'.
- If you tell a child Stillgestanden!, you are using a derivative of still to command them to stand at attention in a military fashion.
- The word leise comes from the Proto-West Germanic root *līs(ī), which meant 'low, soft or gentle'.
Examples in context
- Es ist zu ruhig.It's too quiet.This sentence shows the use of ruhig to describe a state of being too quiet.Tatoeba #793515 by al_ex_an_der, translation #443579 by CM
- Es ist so still.It's so quiet.This sentence demonstrates the use of still to describe a quiet state.Tatoeba #7554904 by Purinho, translation #2249271 by CK
- Sei still und iß!Be quiet and eat.This sentence uses still as a command to be quiet.Tatoeba #13305377 by Waldelfe, translation #9446564 by DJ_Saidez
- Könnten Sie bitte leise sein?Could you please be quiet?
- Ruhig sein, bitte!Be quiet, please (to a group)
- Sei still!Be quiet!
- Könntest du bitte leiser sein?Could you please be quieter?
- 409 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Sarah are in a library.
- MaximilianWarum ist es hier so ruhig?Why is it so quiet in here?
- SarahWir sind in einer Bibliothek, Maximilian.We are in a library, Maximilian.
- MaximilianIch brauche eine weniger ruhige Umgebung.I need a less quiet environment.
- SarahDann gehen wir ins Café.Then let's go to the café.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “quiet” translations and entries ruhig, still, leise, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries leise, ruhig, still, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
