der Nachmittag
afternoon
The time of day between noon (around 12 p.m.) and evening (around 6 p.m.).
EXAMPLE
Am Nachmittag treffen wir uns im Café.
In the afternoon, we'll meet at the café.
der Nachmittag
afternoon
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is built very logically: it consists of 'nach' (after) and 'der Mittag' (noon). So it literally refers to the time that comes after noon.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe erst nach dem Mittag Zeit für dich.
I only have time for you after noon.
Time expressions
To specify a time, you use 'am Nachmittag' (in the afternoon). When talking about today, yesterday, or tomorrow, you leave out the preposition: 'heute Nachmittag' (this afternoon), 'gestern Nachmittag' (yesterday afternoon), 'morgen Nachmittag' (tomorrow afternoon).
EXAMPLE
Am Nachmittag gehe ich meistens spazieren.
In the afternoon, I usually go for a walk.
Adverb 'nachmittags'
The lowercase adverb 'nachmittags' means 'every afternoon' or 'usually in the afternoon'. It describes a regular action.
EXAMPLE
Das Geschäft hat nachmittags von 14 bis 18 Uhr geöffnet.
The shop is open in the afternoons from 2 to 6 p.m.
Typical collocations
Common phrases are 'den Nachmittag mit etwas verbringen' (to spend the afternoon doing something), 'sich für den Nachmittag verabreden' (to arrange to meet in the afternoon), or the greeting 'Schönen Nachmittag!' (Have a nice afternoon!).
EXAMPLE
Wir haben den ganzen Nachmittag am See verbracht.
We spent the whole afternoon at the lake.
In real life
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