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Grammar in real life

's nachts

What does the 's in 's nachts mean?

Meaning

's nachts
at nightShort for the old 'des nachts'. Same pattern: ''s ochtends' (in the morning), ''s avonds' (in the evening).

The 's is what's left of an old des ('of the'): des nachts became 's nachts. You'll use it daily: 's ochtends (in the morning), 's middags (in the afternoon), 's avonds (in the evening), 's nachts (at night).

At the start of a sentence, the next letter gets the capital: 's Ochtends drink ik koffie.

Examples

  • Ik slaap 's nachts slecht.

    I sleep badly at night.

  • 's Ochtends drink ik koffie.

    In the morning I drink coffee.

Seen in Doe Normaal

  • Om twee uur 's nachts nog een frietje met mayo halen
    Anouk's Swipen profile

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