die
Nachtruhe
🤫 What exactly does 'die Nachtruhe' mean?
The German word die Nachtruhe refers to the period during the night intended for rest and sleep. It's characterized by a general reduction in activity and noise. The word has two main aspects:
- Personal Rest: The individual's rest phase during the night, the night's sleep. Example: Nach dem langen Tag freue ich mich auf meine Nachtruhe. (After the long day, I look forward to my night's rest.)
- Legal Regulation: The time period defined by law or house rules (often from 10 PM to 6 or 7 AM) during which noise must be avoided to prevent disturbing residents (called Ruhestörung - disturbance of the peace). Example: Bitte halten Sie die Nachtruhe zwischen 22:00 und 06:00 Uhr ein. (Please observe the quiet hours between 10 PM and 6 AM.) 🚨 Violations can be penalized!
The word is feminine, so it's always die Nachtruhe.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar: A closer look at 'die Nachtruhe'
The noun 'Nachtruhe' is feminine. It is mostly used in the singular. The plural form 'die Nachtruhen' is rare and usually refers to repeated or specific periods of rest.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Nachtruhe | the night's rest |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Nachtruhe | of the night's rest |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Nachtruhe | to/for the night's rest |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Nachtruhe | the night's rest |
Declension Plural - rare
| Case | Article | Noun | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Nachtruhen | the nights' rests |
| Genitive | der | Nachtruhen | of the nights' rests |
| Dative | den | Nachtruhen | to/for the nights' rests |
| Accusative | die | Nachtruhen | the nights' rests |
Example Sentences
- Die Nachtruhe beginnt um 22 Uhr.
(The quiet hours / night's rest begins at 10 PM.) - Während der Nachtruhe sollte Lärm vermieden werden.
(During the quiet hours / night's rest, noise should be avoided.) - Wir sehnen uns nach einer ungestörten Nachtruhe.
(We long for an undisturbed night's rest.) - Der Mieter störte die Nachtruhe seiner Nachbarn.
(The tenant disturbed his neighbors' quiet hours / night's rest.)
💡 How to use 'Nachtruhe'
The term 'Nachtruhe' is frequently used in connection with the following topics:
Legal Quiet Hours (Ruhezeiten)
Very often, 'Nachtruhe' refers to the legally defined times during which noise pollution must be avoided. This is relevant in tenancy law, neighborhood law, and for public events in Germany.
- Die Einhaltung der Nachtruhe ist Pflicht. (Observing the quiet hours is mandatory.)
- Lärm während der Nachtruhe kann zu Bußgeldern führen. (Noise during quiet hours can lead to fines.)
Personal Sleep & Rest
It also describes the individual need for sleep and rest during the night.
- Eine gute Nachtruhe ist wichtig für die Gesundheit. (A good night's rest is important for health.)
- Mein Baby hat endlich eine ruhige Nachtruhe gefunden. (My baby finally found a peaceful night's rest.)
Context and Differentiation
'Nachtruhe' is more specific than just 'Ruhe' (rest/quiet) or 'Schlaf' (sleep). It emphasizes the nocturnal aspect and often the social/legal framework of the quiet period. 'Mittagsruhe' is a similar concept for midday quiet time.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Nachtruhe'
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'the' night, which in German is 'die Nacht'. Since 'Nachtruhe' contains 'Nacht', it strongly suggests the article 'die'. Also, 'Ruhe' ends in 'e', common for feminine nouns.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the Nacht (night) bringing Ruhe (rest, quiet) to everyone. Combine them: Nacht + Ruhe = Nachtruhe, the night's rest or quiet time.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
⚠️ Potential for Confusion?
'Nachtruhe' is quite specific. Confusion is rare. Sometimes 'Schlafenszeit' (bedtime) is used similarly, but it more accurately refers to the time one goes to bed.
😄 A little joke about Nachtruhe
German: Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie denn um drei Uhr nachts Schlagzeug gespielt?" Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Ich habe die Nachtruhe einfach rhythmisch untermalt!"
English: The judge asks the defendant: "Why were you playing the drums at three in the morning?" The defendant replies: "I was just providing rhythmic accompaniment to the night's quiet!"
📜 Poem for the Quiet Time
German:
Die Sterne funkeln, der Mond wacht,
Stadt und Land versinken in der Nacht.
Die Uhren schlagen leise Zehn,
Zeit, zur wohlverdienten Ruh' zu geh'n.
Die Nachtruhe kehrt nun ein,
lässt Lärm und Hektik draußen sein.
Möge der Schlaf dich sanft umfangen,
bis neue Morgenlichter prangen.
English Translation:
The stars are twinkling, the moon watches bright,
City and country sink into the night.
The clocks strike softly ten, you see,
Time now for well-deserved tranquility.
The night's quiet rest now settles in,
Leaving noise and hurry out, where have they been?
May sleep embrace you gently, soft, and deep,
Until new morning lights from slumber leap.
🧩 Riddle Time
German:
Ich komme, wenn der Tag vergeht,
und Stille sich herniederlegt.
Gesetzlich bin ich oft bestimmt,
damit kein lauter Ton erklingt.
Ich schenke Schlaf und Energie,
wer stört mich, handelt irgendwie... daneben.
Wer oder was bin ich?
English Translation / Riddle:
I come when the day is done,
And quiet settles, one by one.
By law, my hours are often set,
So noisy sounds are rarely met.
I grant you sleep and energy,
Disturbing me is... poor decree.
What am I?
Solution: die Nachtruhe (the night's rest / quiet hours)
ℹ️ Interesting Facts about 'die Nachtruhe'
Word Composition
The word 'Nachtruhe' is a compound noun, made up of:
Cultural Significance
In Germany, observing the Nachtruhe (and often also the Mittagsruhe - midday quiet period in residential areas) is often highly valued. This reflects a cultural emphasis on order and consideration for others (Rücksichtnahme). The exact quiet hours can vary depending on the federal state or municipality.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Nachtruhe?
The German word 'Nachtruhe' is feminine. The correct article is die: die Nachtruhe. It refers to the period of rest during the night, both in a personal sense (sleep) and as legally regulated quiet hours.