der  Sonntagnachmittag

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/deːɐ̯ ˈzɔntaːkˌnaːxˌmɪtaːk/

📖 What exactly is a Sonntagnachmittag?

The German word der Sonntagnachmittag refers to the afternoon of Sunday. Typically, it covers the time from about 2 PM to 6 PM. It's a compound noun formed from Sonntag (Sunday) and Nachmittag (afternoon).

Since der Nachmittag is masculine, der Sonntagnachmittag is also masculine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Sonntagnachmittag

The word "Sonntagnachmittag" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Declension (Masculine)

Example Sentences

• Wir verbringen den Sonntagnachmittag oft im Park. (We often spend Sunday afternoon in the park.)
• Am Sonntagnachmittag gibt es bei Oma immer Kuchen. (On Sunday afternoon, there's always cake at Grandma's.)
• Die Ruhe des Sonntagnachmittags ist herrlich. (The peace of the Sunday afternoon is wonderful.)
• Freust du dich auch schon auf den nächsten Sonntagnachmittag? (Are you looking forward to the next Sunday afternoon too?)

💡 How to Use "Sonntagnachmittag"

The term "Sonntagnachmittag" is used to describe a specific period of time. It's often associated with rest, leisure activities, family, or the traditional coffee time ('Kaffee und Kuchen').

• Typical Contexts: Family visits, walks, coffee and cake, relaxation, hobbies.
• Adverbial Use: The word can also be used as an adverb, often in the genitive singular (lowercase): sonntagnachmittags. Example: "Wir gehen sonntagnachmittags oft spazieren." (We often go for a walk on Sunday afternoons.) This means "every Sunday afternoon" or "usually on Sunday afternoon".
• Distinction: It's clearly distinct from Sonntagmorgen (Sunday morning), Sonntagvormittag (Sunday forenoon), or Sonntagabend (Sunday evening).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the Article: Remember that Nachmittag (afternoon) is der. Sunday (Sonntag) has an afternoon, so it stays masculine: der Sonntagnachmittag.

For the Meaning: Just break it down! Sonntag (Sunday) + Nachmittag (afternoon) = The afternoon on Sunday. Easy peasy! 😉

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Warum dösen viele Leute am Sonntagnachmittag?
Weil sie sich vom anstrengenden Nichtstun am Sonntagvormittag erholen müssen! 😄

(Why do many people doze off on Sunday afternoon?
Because they have to recover from the exhausting doing-nothing on Sunday morning!)

📜 Little Poem for Sunday Afternoon

Der Kaffee duftet, Kuchen lacht,
die Sonne scheint mit sanfter Macht.
Ein Buch zur Hand, die Zeit verrinnt,
so schön der Sonntagnachmittag beginnt.
Kein Stress, kein Lärm, nur stille Ruh,
ich schließe meine Augen zu.

(Coffee's aroma, cake does gleam,
The sun shines softly, like a dream.
A book in hand, time slips away,
So nice begins the Sunday afternoon's play.
No stress, no noise, just quiet peace,
I close my eyes and find release.)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Teil vom Wochenend',
kurz bevor der Abend rennt.
Nach Mittagessen komm ich dran,
oft mit Kuchen, irgendwann.
Der Sonntag schenkt mich dir zur Ruh'.
Na, wer bin ich wohl, sag du?

(I am a part of the weekend's end,
Just before the evening does transcend.
After lunch, it's my time to appear,
Often with cake, bringing cheer.
Sunday gives me to you for rest.
Well, who am I? Can you attest?)

Solution: der Sonntagnachmittag (Sunday afternoon)

✨ Other Interesting Details

Word Composition:

The word "Sonntagnachmittag" is a classic example of German word composition (Kompositum):

• Sonntag: Sunday, the seventh day of the week, often a day of rest.
• Nachmittag: Afternoon, the time between noon and evening.

Together, they form the specific time reference.

Cultural Significance:

In Germany, der Sonntagnachmittag is traditionally a time for family and friends, often associated with the custom of having coffee and cake ('Kaffee und Kuchen'). Many shops are closed, contributing to the quiet atmosphere.