01
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
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Meanings
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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.
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.
Compare with
Nachtschicht vs Schicht
layer / shift
'die Schicht' and 'die Nachtschicht' both refer to working hours in workplaces with different work periods. 'Schicht' is the general word and can take place in the morning, during the day, in the evening, or at night. 'Nachtschicht' is only the shift at night. The word can also mean the group of people who work at night. Learners may confuse the words because a 'Nachtschicht' is a type of 'Schicht'. If the night is important, 'Nachtschicht' is more precise.
Nachtschicht
Nach der Nachtschicht schläft Tom bis zum Mittag.
After the night shift, Tom sleeps until noon.
Schicht
Ich habe diese Woche eine frühe Schicht im Krankenhaus.
I have an early shift at the hospital this week.
In real life
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