der Zapfenstreich
Translation
tattoo (military), taps, curfew
Examples
Der große Zapfenstreich ist eine Militärzeremonie.
The Grand Tattoo is a military ceremony.
Um zehn Uhr ist Zapfenstreich!
Curfew is at ten o'clock!
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) is at (time) Curfew is at ten o'clock!
Similar Words
Sperrstunde (closing time), Ausgangssperre (curfew)
Etymology
From 'Zapfen' (tap) + 'Streich' (strike). It originally signified the striking of the beer tap to signal the end of serving drinks in military camps.
Memory Tips
Imagine a soldier 'striking' ('Streich') the beer 'tap' ('Zapfen') to signal it's time to stop drinking and go to bed.