nacht

Nacht is the German noun for night, referring to the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise. It is used as a basic temporal reference in German and contrasts with Tag (day).

Etymology and cognates: Nacht derives from Old High German naht and Proto-Germanic *nahts, with cognates in other Germanic languages, such as English night, Dutch nacht, Norwegian natt, and Swedish natt. The word is related to a broader Indo-European group of terms for darkness and night.

Usage and cultural references: Nacht appears in countless common phrases and compound words, including Nachtleben (nightlife), Nachtarbeit (night work), Nachtschicht (night shift), and Nachtzug (overnight train). The phrase in der Nacht means “at night.” In literature and media, Nacht is often used to evoke time of darkness or mystery. The German edition of Elie Wiesel’s memoir Night is titled Nacht. The historical expression Nacht und Nebel (Night and Fog) refers to a WWII policy and legal framework relating to secretive suppression.

Symbolic and thematic aspects: In German literature and philosophy, Nacht can carry connotations of mystery, danger, stillness, or introspection, depending on context. It is a common motif in poetry and narrative to frame events, moods, or settings within the course of a night.

Overall, Nacht functions as a fundamental time reference in German, with broad usage in everyday language, literature, and culture.