What does morgen mean?
Morgen is a chiefly South African English word meaning tomorrow or the day following the present day. It is most often used as an adverb, particularly in informal arrangements and conversational farewells: “See you morgen.” It can also function as a noun in constructions such as “Who knows what the morgen will bring?” The word has a strongly regional character and is not normally treated as standard English in Britain, the United States, Australia, or other English-speaking countries, where “tomorrow” is preferred. Its familiarity in South African speech reflects the country’s history and the influence of Afrikaans, from which the term was borrowed. Although it may be unfamiliar to many speakers, it is concise and immediately intelligible to South African users. In formal writing, especially for international audiences, “tomorrow” is generally clearer and more conventional.
On the day following the present day; tomorrow.
"We will have more news morgen."
Chiefly informal and characteristic of South African English.
The day following the present day; tomorrow.
"She left the decision about the morgen until the morning."
Less common than the adverbial use and chiefly associated with South African English.
The plural is uncommon; the word normally functions as an adverb and does not take a plural in everyday speech.
"Her early morgens are usually spent in the garden."
A new day can arrive with a one-word reminder: “morgen.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does morgen come from?
The word was borrowed into South African English from Afrikaans or Dutch, where the corresponding form means tomorrow. Dutch morgen continues an older Germanic word for the morning, and the modern sense developed by analogy with expressions such as “the morning after.” It is cognate with English morning, English tomorrow through Old English morgen, and German Morgen.
How morgen is actually used
This is an informal regionalism associated with South African English. Outside South Africa, “tomorrow” is the usual and more widely understood equivalent.
Easily confused with morgen
In South African usage, “morgen” means tomorrow, whereas “morning” means the early part of the day.