Nachtmenschen

Nachtmenschen is a German term that literally translates to “night people” or “people of the night.” In everyday language it can describe individuals who are active during the night or who prefer late-night routines, sometimes used colloquially to refer to a night-owl lifestyle or to people who feel more comfortable after sunset. The expression is also used metaphorically to denote outsiders, dreamers, or those who navigate life in a way that differs from the daytime majority.

From a scientific and clinical standpoint, humans are predominantly diurnal, and Nachtmenschen is not a formal medical diagnosis. Sleep and circadian biology recognize various patterns and disorders, such as delayed sleep phase syndrome or shift-work sleep disorder, but these terms are distinct from the everyday idiomatic use of Nachtmenschen. The phrase generally conveys social or cultural impressions rather than clinical classifications.

In culture and media, Nachtmenschen appears as imagery that evokes urban nights, solitude, freedom, or mystery. It can be used to explore themes of identity, belonging, or the tension between daytime norms and nocturnal life. The term is versatile and its connotations shift with context, ranging from positive associations with creativity and independence to negative ones related to loneliness or danger.

See also: night owl, nocturnal, circadian rhythm, shift work, insomnia.