German Phrase
Manchmal mache ich ein kurzes Nickerchen.
Meaning
Literally, "Sometimes I make a short nap." In everyday German it means "Sometimes I take a short nap." The phrase conveys a casual, occasional habit of resting briefly, often after lunch or during a break.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to describe an occasional short nap you take, for example when talking about your daily routine, a relaxed weekend, or a quick power‑nap at work.
✦Grammar Breakdown
ManchmalmacheicheinkurzesNickerchen
Manchmal (adverb)
An adverb of frequency placed at the beginning of the sentence; it does not affect verb conjugation.
mache (verb machen)
Present‑tense 1st‑person singular of "machen"; follows the V2 rule after the initial adverb.
ich (subject pronoun)
The personal pronoun comes after the verb when the sentence starts with an adverb.
ein (indefinite article)
Neuter accusative form of "ein" used because "Nickerchen" is a neuter noun.
kurzes (adjective)
Weak adjective ending "-es" after the indefinite article in the accusative neuter.
Nickerchen (noun)
A neuter noun meaning "nap"; functions as the direct object of "machen".
🗨In Conversation
Wie verbringst du deine Mittagspause?
How do you spend your lunch break?
Manchmal mache ich ein kurzes Nickerchen.
Sometimes I take a short nap.
✕Common Mistakes
Manchmal mache ich ein kurzer Nickerchen.
After the indefinite article "ein" the adjective takes the weak ending "-es" in the neuter accusative, not the strong ending "-er".
Manchmal mache ich einen kurzes Nickerchen.
"Nickerchen" is neuter, so the accusative article is "ein", not "einen" (which is masculine).
Manchmal mache ich ein kurzes Nickerchen.
While "machen" is correct, many learners prefer the verb "schlafen" for a more natural sounding sentence.
↔Alternatives
Ich schlafe manchmal kurz.
I sometimes sleep briefly.
Gelegentlich ruhe ich mich mit einem kurzen Nickerchen aus.
Occasionally I rest with a short nap.
Manchmal gönne ich mir ein kurzes Nickerchen.
Sometimes I treat myself to a short nap.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries a short nap after lunch – the "Mittagsschlaf" or "Powernap" – is a common way to recharge, especially in the summer. While perfectly normal in private life, it’s usually not practiced in formal office settings unless the company explicitly allows it.