schläfrig
/ˈʃlɛːfʁɪç/
The German word for sleepy is schläfrig.
The adjective schläfrig is used when someone is feeling the need for sleep. In different contexts, you might use other expressions: the informal term Groggy can also describe feeling groggy or sleepy and the phrase Fix und fertig is used to convey exhaustion and sleepiness in humorous or exaggerated contexts. Among friends, you might hear the slang term Kaputt to express extreme fatigue.
Meaning: feeling the need for sleep (adj)
Which one should you use?
While schläfrig specifically means feeling the need for sleep, müde is a more general term for being tired or exhausted.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, schläfrig takes various endings depending on its role and the gender/case of the noun it modifies, such as schläfrige or schläfriges.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃlɛːfʁɪç/
Did you know?
- In German, the word schläfrig can be used to describe a town or a street that is 'sleepy' in the sense of being quiet and inactive.
- The word müde is much more versatile than schläfrig, as it can be used colloquially to mean that someone is 'bored' with a situation.
- The adjective schläfrig descends from the Old High German slāfrag, showing its ancient roots in describing the state of a sleeper.
Examples in context
- Tom sah schläfrig aus.Tom looked sleepy.This sentence shows how to use schläfrig to describe someone's appearance.Tatoeba #6619014 by Felixjp, translation #6274889 by CK
- Ich bin nicht schläfrig.I'm not sleepy.This sentence uses schläfrig in a negative statement.Tatoeba #1314547 by al_ex_an_der, translation #1271585 by CK
- Ich fühle mich schläfrig.I feel sleepy.This sentence uses schläfrig to describe a personal feeling.Tatoeba #1576047 by Zaghawa, translation #1495912 by CK
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Hannah are sitting on the sofa in the evening.
- MaximilianBist du schon schläfrig, Hannah?Are you sleepy already, Hannah?
- HannahJa, ich bin ziemlich schläfrig.Yes, I am quite sleepy.
- MaximilianSoll ich das Licht ausmachen?Should I turn off the light?
- HannahJa, bitte, Maximilian.Yes, please, Maximilian.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sleepy” translations and entries schläfrig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries schläfrig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
