German word

nächtlich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈnɛçtlɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectivenighttime

Example

Ich mag die nächtliche Ruhe in der Stadt.

I like the quiet of the city at night.

Illustration for nächtlich (nighttime)

More examples

Die nächtliche Beleuchtung verbessert das Sicherheitsgefühl im Viertel.

The nighttime lighting improves the sense of security in the neighborhood.

Core concept

A city under dark skies, where quiet, traffic, or visibility belongs to the hours after sunset.

Common phrases

  • nächtliche Ruhe

    nighttime quiet

  • nächtliche Beleuchtung

    nighttime lighting

  • nächtlicher Verkehr

    nighttime traffic

Similar words

abendlich: Relating to the evening or the early part of the night.
nachtaktiv: Having a habit or ability to be active at night.
spät: Happening or arriving later than usual.

Definition in German

Zu der Nacht gehörig; bei Nacht auftretend oder sichtbar.

Word origin

Nächtlich combines the inherited Germanic noun Nacht, 'night', with the adjective-forming suffix -lich, meaning 'having the character of'.

Usage tips

  • Nächtlich is an adjective, while nachts is the usual adverb for 'at night'; adjective endings change before nouns, as in nächtliche Ruhe.

Other meanings

  • nightlyadjective

Opposites

  • tagaktivdiurnaladjective

Related words

  • nächtensat nightadverb
  • Nächtlichkeitnighttime characternoun
  • nächtigenstay overnightverb

Word lists with this word