die Nachtschicht
night shift
A working period that takes place at night, usually between late evening and early morning.
EXAMPLE
Als Krankenpfleger muss ich oft die Nachtschicht übernehmen.
As a nurse, I often have to take the night shift.
die Nachtschicht
night shift
die Nachtschicht, die Nachtschichten
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Meanings
die Nachtschicht
night shift
The group of workers and employees who work during the night.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachtschicht hat heute eine Störung an der Maschine behoben.
The night shift fixed a malfunction in the machine today.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Nachtschicht, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Nachtschichten |
| genitive | der Nachtschicht |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Nachtschicht | die Nachtschichten |
| accusative | die Nachtschicht | die Nachtschichten |
| dative | der Nachtschicht | den Nachtschichten |
| genitive | der Nachtschicht | der Nachtschichten |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is simply made up of 'die Nacht' (night) and 'die Schicht' (shift). Here, 'Schicht' means 'work period.' A 'Nachtschicht' is therefore a work period at night.
EXAMPLE
Die Arbeit in der Nachtschicht ist oft besonders anstrengend.
Working the night shift is often especially exhausting.
Productive word element
The component '-schicht' is also used for other working times. There is also the 'Frühschicht' (early shift/morning shift) and the 'Spätschicht' (late shift/afternoon or evening shift).
EXAMPLE
Morgen habe ich zum Glück nur Frühschicht und nicht Nachtschicht.
Luckily, tomorrow I only have the early shift and not the night shift.
Typical collocations
When referring to working time, 'Nachtschicht' (night shift) is often used with the verbs 'haben' (to have) or 'machen' (to do/work). You can also say 'in der Nachtschicht arbeiten' (to work the night shift).
EXAMPLE
Diese Woche muss ich leider dreimal Nachtschicht machen.
Unfortunately, I have to work the night shift three times this week.
Wer in der Nachtschicht arbeitet, bekommt oft einen Zuschlag.
Anyone who works the night shift often gets an extra allowance.
Context clue
You can tell whether the working time (m01) or the group of workers (m02) is meant from the verb. If the 'Nachtschicht' (night shift) itself does something, e.g. takes a break, the group of people is meant. If a person 'Nachtschicht hat' (has the night shift), the working time is meant.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachtschicht macht um 3 Uhr morgens eine Kaffeepause.
The night shift takes a coffee break at 3 a.m.
Mein Bruder hat heute Nachtschicht im Krankenhaus.
My brother has the night shift at the hospital today.
In real life
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