der  Nachmittag

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈnaːxˌmɪtaːk/

🕒 What exactly is 'der Nachmittag'?

Der Nachmittag is the German word for the afternoon. It refers to the time of day between Mittagessen (lunch, around 12 or 1 p.m.) and the früher Abend (early evening, around 5 or 6 p.m.). It's literally the time nach (after) the Mittag (midday/noon).

There's only one article for Nachmittag, which is der (masculine). This makes it easier! ✅

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'der Nachmittag' in Detail

The noun 'Nachmittag' is masculine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Am Nachmittag trinken wir Kaffee.
   (In the afternoon we drink coffee.)
2. Die Sonne scheint den ganzen Nachmittag.
   (The sun shines the whole afternoon.)
3. Wir haben uns für Dienstagnachmittag verabredet.
   (We have arranged to meet on Tuesday afternoon. - Adverbial use, often without article)
4. Die Geschäfte schließen am Samstagnachmittag früher.
   (The shops close earlier on Saturday afternoon.)

🗣️ How 'der Nachmittag' is Used

The term Nachmittag is very commonly used in everyday life in Germany to arrange appointments, describe daily routines, or simply talk about the time.

• Typical Uses: Treffen am Nachmittag (meeting in the afternoon), nachmittags frei haben (to have the afternoon off), der Nachmittagskaffee (afternoon coffee), die Nachmittagssonne (afternoon sun).
• Greeting: You might sometimes hear "Guten Nachmittag!" (Good afternoon!), although "Guten Tag!" (Good day!) or "Hallo!" (Hello!) are more common.
• Time Specifications: Often combined with days of the week (e.g., Montagnachmittag - Monday afternoon, am Freitagnachmittag - on Friday afternoon) or general times (e.g., am frühen/späten Nachmittag - in the early/late afternoon).
• Distinction: Der Nachmittag follows der Vormittag (the morning, before noon) and precedes der Abend (the evening). The transitions are fluid.

💡 Mnemonics for 'der Nachmittag'

Article 'der': Remember that der Tag (the day) is masculine. The Nachmittag is a part of the day, so it inherits the masculine gender: der Nachmittag.

Meaning: The word is a clear compound: Nach (after) + Mittag (midday/noon). It's simply the time after noon. Quite logical!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Note: There are no perfect synonyms, as 'Nachmittag' is a very established time reference.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette keinen Kaffee am Nachmittag?
(Why don't skeletons have coffee in the afternoon?)

Weil sie keinen Körper haben, um wach zu bleiben!
(Because they have no body to stay awake! - Play on words: 'Körper' means body)

✍️ Poem about the Afternoon

Die Sonne sinkt, der Tag wird weich,
Der Nachmittag, an Stunden reich.
Im Garten summt's, die Luft ist lau,
Ein Schatten fällt, noch ist's nicht grau.
Zeit für Kaffee, für Ruh' und Spiel,
Bis Abend naht, das nächste Ziel.

(The sun descends, the day grows mild,
The afternoon, with hours compiled.
The garden hums, the air is warm,
A shadow falls, not yet a storm.
Time for coffee, for rest and play,
Till evening nears, the next goal's way.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich komme nach der Mittagszeit,
bin für Kaffee und Kuchen bereit.
Bevor der Abend Dämmerung bringt,
und die Amsel ihr letztes Lied singt.

Wer bin ich?

(I come after the midday time,
ready for coffee and cake, sublime.
Before the evening brings twilight,
and the blackbird sings its last song bright.

Who am I?)

Solution: Der Nachmittag (The Afternoon)

🧩 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

The word is clearly composed of:

• Nach: Preposition/Adverb, meaning 'after' in time.
• Mittag: Noun, 'der Mittag', meaning midday or noon.

Cultural Note:

In Germany, the Nachmittag is often associated with the tradition of "Kaffee und Kuchen" (coffee and cake), especially on weekends.