night watchman
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night watchman
A person whose job is to guard a building, site, or facility during the night and ensure security.
Der Nachtwächter macht jede Stunde seinen Rundgang durch das Fabrikgelände.
The night watchman makes his rounds through the factory grounds every hour.
The word is a clear compound of 'die Nacht' (night) and 'der Wächter' (watchman/guard). A 'Wächter' is a person who keeps watch or guards something. So 'der Nachtwächter' (night watchman) is literally a person who keeps watch at night.
Die Firma stellt einen Nachtwächter ein, um das Gelände zu sichern.
The company hires a night watchman to secure the site.
The modern 'Nachtwächter' (night watchman) is associated with typical activities such as 'einen Rundgang machen' (to make rounds), 'ein Gelände bewachen' (to guard a site), or 'für Sicherheit sorgen' (to ensure security).
Der Nachtwächter macht zweimal pro Nacht einen Kontrollgang durch das Gebäude.
The night watchman makes an inspection round through the building twice a night.
The historical meaning is often recognizable from signal words such as 'früher' (in the past), 'im Mittelalter' (in the Middle Ages), or in connection with 'Stadtführungen' (city tours) in old towns.
In Rothenburg ob der Tauber kann man abends an einer Tour mit dem Nachtwächter teilnehmen.
In Rothenburg ob der Tauber, you can take part in an evening tour with the night watchman.
Using 'Nachtwächter' (slowpoke) as an insult for a slow person is purely colloquial and derogatory. It is often found in direct, impatient forms of address.
Nun komm schon, du Nachtwächter, wir sind schon spät dran!
Come on already, you slowpoke, we're already running late!
guard
'der Wächter' and 'der Nachtwächter' both refer to people who guard something. 'Wächter' is more general and can fit any time of day. 'Nachtwächter' is more specific: this person guards a building, site, or formerly also a town during the night. In historical texts, 'Nachtwächter' often means someone who walked through the streets at night and watched for order or fire. The words can be confused because a 'Nachtwächter' is also a 'Wächter'. But not every 'Wächter' is a 'Nachtwächter'; the night as working time is the key point.
Der Nachtwächter kontrolliert nach Mitternacht die Lagerhalle.
The night watchman checks the warehouse after midnight.
Ein Wächter passt tagsüber auf den Eingang der Baustelle auf.
A guard watches the entrance to the construction site during the day.