In 15 Seconds
- A cute, common way to say 'take a nap'.
- Uses the verb 'machen' with the noun 'Nickerchen'.
- Perfect for casual daytime rest and recharging.
Meaning
It is a charming and cozy way to say you're going to have a short sleep during the day. Think of it as a quick power nap or a little rest to recharge your energy between activities.
Key Examples
3 of 6After a big lunch with family
Nach dem Essen muss ich erst mal ein kleines Nickerchen machen.
After the meal, I first need to take a little nap.
Texting a friend who asked to hang out
Ich habe gerade ein Nickerchen gemacht und bin jetzt wieder fit!
I just took a nap and am fit again now!
Explaining to a colleague during a break
In der Mittagspause mache ich manchmal ein kurzes Nickerchen im Auto.
During the lunch break, I sometimes take a short nap in the car.
Cultural Background
The term comes from the verb 'nicken' (to nod), describing the involuntary head movement when someone falls asleep while sitting up. It is deeply rooted in the German tradition of the 'Mittagsschlaf' (midday sleep), which is seen as a healthy way to maintain productivity throughout the day.
The '-chen' Magic
Any word ending in '-chen' is automatically neuter (das). This makes grammar easier because you don't have to guess the gender!
Not for Nighttime
Don't use this for your 8-hour sleep. If you say you're making a 'Nickerchen' at 11 PM, people will think you're waking up at midnight to party.
In 15 Seconds
- A cute, common way to say 'take a nap'.
- Uses the verb 'machen' with the noun 'Nickerchen'.
- Perfect for casual daytime rest and recharging.
What It Means
Ein Nickerchen machen is the German way of saying you're taking a nap. The word Nickerchen is the diminutive form of Nicken (to nod). It paints a funny picture of someone sitting in a chair, their head nodding down as they drift off. It is not a deep, eight-hour slumber. It is that sweet, 20-minute rest that saves your afternoon. It sounds much friendlier and cuter than just saying you are sleeping.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a fixed expression with the verb machen. You can say ich mache, du machst, or wir machen ein Nickerchen. It is very flexible. You can add adjectives like kurz (short) to emphasize how quick it is. If you are feeling extra tired, you might say you 'need' one: Ich brauche ein Nickerchen. Just remember that Nickerchen is a neuter noun, so it is always ein Nickerchen.
When To Use It
This is your go-to phrase for any daytime resting scenario. Use it after a heavy lunch (the famous 'food coma') or on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It is perfect for telling your partner you'll be unavailable for thirty minutes. You can also use it when texting a friend to explain why you didn't reply immediately. It feels warm and relatable. Everyone loves a good nap, right?
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in a high-stakes professional meeting. Telling your boss Ich mache jetzt ein Nickerchen while they are presenting the quarterly figures might get you some strange looks. It is also not used for your main sleep at night. If you sleep for five hours, it is no longer a Nickerchen; it is just schlafen. Also, don't use it if you are actually sick; then you are 'resting' or 'recovering'.
Cultural Background
Germans take their Mittagspause (midday break) quite seriously. In many smaller towns, shops might even close for an hour. The Nickerchen is a staple of the German 'Gemütlichkeit' (coziness). It reflects a culture that values efficiency but also knows that a human brain needs a break. Interestingly, the diminutive '-chen' ending makes the act of sleeping seem small, harmless, and adorable.
Common Variations
You might also hear ein Schläfchen machen, which is almost identical in meaning. If you are in a more slang-heavy environment, someone might say eine Runde ratzen or pennen. However, Nickerchen remains the most charming and widely accepted version. It works for toddlers, grandparents, and everyone in between. If you want to sound very modern, you can even use the Denglish Powernapping machen.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral to informal. It is perfectly fine for friends, family, and casual work environments, but avoid it in strictly formal settings.
The '-chen' Magic
Any word ending in '-chen' is automatically neuter (das). This makes grammar easier because you don't have to guess the gender!
Not for Nighttime
Don't use this for your 8-hour sleep. If you say you're making a 'Nickerchen' at 11 PM, people will think you're waking up at midnight to party.
The 'Büroschlaf'
There is a funny German saying: 'Büroschlaf ist der gesündeste Schlaf' (Office sleep is the healthiest sleep). Use this phrase if you catch a colleague napping!
Examples
6Nach dem Essen muss ich erst mal ein kleines Nickerchen machen.
After the meal, I first need to take a little nap.
Uses 'kleines' to make it sound even more brief and cozy.
Ich habe gerade ein Nickerchen gemacht und bin jetzt wieder fit!
I just took a nap and am fit again now!
Shows the result of the nap (feeling refreshed).
In der Mittagspause mache ich manchmal ein kurzes Nickerchen im Auto.
During the lunch break, I sometimes take a short nap in the car.
Neutral enough for a workplace conversation with colleagues.
Mein Kater macht den ganzen Tag lang nur Nickerchen.
My cat does nothing but take naps all day long.
A very common way to describe animals sleeping.
Ich bin so kaputt von der Reise, ich muss ein Nickerchen machen.
I am so exhausted from the trip, I have to take a nap.
Expresses a physical need for rest.
Willst du vor dem Spielen noch ein Nickerchen machen?
Do you want to take a nap before playing?
The diminutive '-chen' makes it very suitable for children.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct verb form.
Am Sonntag ___ mein Großvater immer ein Nickerchen.
In German, you 'make' a nap (ein Nickerchen machen), you don't 'take' or 'do' it with other verbs.
Choose the correct article for Nickerchen.
Ich brauche ___ Nickerchen.
Words ending in '-chen' are always neuter (das), so the accusative object is 'ein Nickerchen'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'ein Nickerchen machen'
Ratzen / Pennen
Ich geh' kurz ratzen.
Ein Nickerchen machen
Ich mache ein Nickerchen.
Sich kurz ausruhen
Ich ruhe mich kurz aus.
Sich zur Ruhe begeben
Ich begebe mich zur Ruhe.
Where to use 'ein Nickerchen machen'
On the sofa
Gleich auf der Couch...
After Lunch
Nach dem Schnitzel!
On a Train
Während der Fahrt.
Lazy Sunday
Sonntagnachmittag-Vibe.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesAm Sonntag ___ mein Großvater immer ein Nickerchen.
In German, you 'make' a nap (ein Nickerchen machen), you don't 'take' or 'do' it with other verbs.
Ich brauche ___ Nickerchen.
Words ending in '-chen' are always neuter (das), so the accusative object is 'ein Nickerchen'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is a diminutive of 'Nicken' (to nod). It refers to the way your head nods when you fall asleep while sitting up.
It is a bit too casual for a formal meeting. Use sich kurz ausruhen (to rest briefly) instead if you need to be professional.
No, that is a literal translation from English. In German, you always use the verb machen (to make).
A Mittagsschlaf is specifically a midday sleep. A Nickerchen can happen anytime during the day, even in the early evening.
Not at all! While it sounds cute because of the '-chen' ending, adults of all ages use it frequently.
Usually between 10 and 30 minutes. If it's longer than an hour, Germans would just call it schlafen.
Yes, it is die Nickerchen. For example: Ich mache am Wochenende gerne viele Nickerchen.
Yes, it's very common to say Das Baby macht gerade sein Nickerchen.
A very close synonym is ein Schläfchen machen. It is just as common and has the same friendly tone.
No, a Nickerchen often happens on the sofa, in an armchair, or even on a park bench.
Related Phrases
ein Schläfchen machen
sich aufs Ohr hauen
pennen
ausruhen
dösen
