01
der Mittag
noon
The middle of the day, the time around 12 o'clock.
example
Heute Mittag scheint die Sonne besonders stark.
The sun is especially strong at noon today.
der Mittag
noon / lunch
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word composition
The word 'Mittag' is made up of 'Mitte' (middle) and 'Tag' (day). So it literally describes the middle of the day.
EXAMPLE
Die Glocken läuten genau zur Mitte des Tages, also um 12 Uhr mittags.
The bells ring exactly in the middle of the day, that is, at 12 noon.
Part of many words
'Mittag' is a base word for many other useful time expressions. These include 'Vormittag' (morning/forenoon), 'Nachmittag' (afternoon), 'Mittagspause' (lunch break), and 'Mittagessen' (lunch).
EXAMPLE
Nach der Mittagspause fühle ich mich oft müde.
After the lunch break, I often feel tired.
Use as a time expression
To specify an exact time, 'Mittag' is often used with prepositions such as 'am Mittag' (at noon) or 'gegen Mittag' (around noon). Adverbs like 'heute' (today) or 'morgen' (tomorrow) can stand directly before it.
EXAMPLE
Wir treffen uns morgen Mittag vor dem Kino.
We're meeting tomorrow at noon in front of the cinema.
Naming the meal
When 'Mittag' refers to the meal, it is almost always used in the fixed phrase 'zu Mittag'. Typical sentences are 'zu Mittag essen' (to eat lunch) or the question 'Was gibt es zu Mittag?' (What's for lunch?).
EXAMPLE
Ich esse heute nur einen Salat zu Mittag.
I'm only having a salad for lunch today.
Compare with
Mittag vs Nachmittag
afternoon
'der Nachmittag' and 'der Mittag' are both parts of the day, but they refer to different times. 'Mittag' is the time around 12 o'clock and can also mean the meal eaten at that time. 'Nachmittag' comes after that, so roughly between noon and evening. Learners may confuse the words because both are around the middle of the day. A practical rule is: at 12 o'clock you say 'Mittag'; after that, you say 'Nachmittag'.
Mittag
Um Mittag mache ich eine Pause und esse etwas.
Around noon, I take a break and eat something.
Nachmittag
Am Nachmittag hat meine Kollegin noch zwei Termine.
In the afternoon, my colleague still has two appointments.
In real life
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