das  Schlafzimmer

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃlaːfˌtsɪmɐ/

🛌 What exactly is a Schlafzimmer?

Das Schlafzimmer (noun, neuter) refers to a room in an apartment or house primarily used for sleeping. It's the private space for rest and relaxation.

It's a compound noun formed from:

• schlafen (verb: to sleep)
• das Zimmer (noun: room)

Because the base word "Zimmer" is neuter (das Zimmer), the compound word "Schlafzimmer" is also neuter (das Schlafzimmer). There are no exceptions or common mistakes regarding the article here. 🚨 Be careful not to confuse it with the verb "schlafen" (to sleep) alone.

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Das Schlafzimmer

"Schlafzimmer" is a neuter noun. The article is "das". Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Mein Schlafzimmer ist mein Lieblingsraum. (My bedroom is my favorite room.)
2. Wir renovieren gerade das Schlafzimmer. (We are currently renovating the bedroom.)
3. Im Schlafzimmer steht ein großes Bett. (There is a large bed in the bedroom.)
4. Die Tür des Schlafzimmers ist geschlossen. (The door of the bedroom is closed.)
5. Die Wohnung hat drei Schlafzimmer. (The apartment has three bedrooms.)
6. In den Schlafzimmern der Kinder ist es oft unordentlich. (It's often messy in the children's bedrooms.)
7. Die Größe der Schlafzimmer ist unterschiedlich. (The size of the bedrooms varies.)

💬 How to Use "Schlafzimmer"?

The term das Schlafzimmer is the standard word for the room where you sleep. It's very common in everyday life, in real estate listings, when describing apartments or houses, and in conversations about living spaces.

• Context: Usually used in connection with furniture (Bett - bed, Schrank - closet/wardrobe), activities (schlafen - sleeping, ausruhen - resting), or the layout of a dwelling.
• Comparison: While "Schlafzimmer" is the most frequent term, more elevated or older texts might use "Schlafgemach" (sleeping chamber). "Schlafraum" (sleeping area/room) is more technical and less common in daily conversation.
• Typical Phrases: "ins Schlafzimmer gehen" (to go into the bedroom), "das Schlafzimmer aufräumen" (to tidy up the bedroom), "ein gemütliches Schlafzimmer haben" (to have a cozy bedroom).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article 'das': Remember the base word: it's das Zimmer (the room). Most compound words ending in "-zimmer" are neuter: das Wohnzimmer (living room), das Badezimmer (bathroom), das Kinderzimmer (children's room), and thus das Schlafzimmer. Think of a room as a neutral space container -> das.

For the meaning 'Bedroom': Imagine someone saying "I need *Schlaf* (sleep)!" and pointing to a *Zimmer* (room). Combine them: *Schlafzimmer* is the room for sleep!

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse "Schlafzimmer" with "Schlafsack" (sleeping bag) or "Schlafanzug" (pajamas).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette kein Schlafzimmer mit in den Urlaub?

Weil sie keinen Körper haben, den sie ausruhen müssten! 😉

(Why don't skeletons take a bedroom on vacation? Because they have no body to rest!)

✍️ A Poem about the Schlafzimmer

Das Schlafzimmer, Ort der Ruh', (The bedroom, place of rest,)
Hier schließt man sanft die Augen zu. (Here eyes are gently shut, blessed.)
Das Bett so weich, der Traum so nah, (The bed so soft, the dream so near,)
Der neue Tag ist bald schon da. (The new day soon will reappear.)
Ob groß, ob klein, ob alt, ob neu, (Be it large or small, old or new,)
Das Zimmer bleibt dem Schläfer treu. (The room remains to sleepers true.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich habe ein Bett, doch schlafe nie drin.
(I have a bed, but never sleep in it.)
Ich bin ein Raum für nächtlichen Gewinn – an Ruhe.
(I am a room for nightly gain – of rest.)
Man träumt in mir, wenn der Tag verrinnt.
(People dream in me when the day fades away.)

Was bin ich?
(What am I?)
... Das Schlafzimmer (The bedroom)

💡 More Interesting Facts

Word Composition: As mentioned, "Schlafzimmer" is composed of the verb "schlafen" (to sleep) and the noun "das Zimmer" (the room). This type of compound noun formation is very common in German.

Cultural Note: In Germany, the Schlafzimmer is often considered a very private space, not typically shown to guests, unlike the Wohnzimmer (living room). The separation between living and sleeping areas is common practice.