Christmas Vocabulary: German-English Glossary

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An Annotated German-English Christmas Glossary

Christmas | Weihnachten | Winter | Hanukkah | Holidays | Santa | St. Nicholas

In this annotated glossary, you’ll find vocabulary and facts related to the Christmas celebration and Christmas customs (and Hanukkah) in German-speaking Europe and in North America. Also see the English-German version of this glossary.

Window - Franz Gruber

Franz Gruber composed the music for Josef Mohr’s “Silent Night” lyrics in 1818. Detail from a window at the Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf, Austria. PHOTO: Hyde Flippo

Also see:
• Advent Calendar with Christmas facts (in season)
• Christmas in Germany – An A-to-Z guide to Weihnachten
• German Christmas Carols – Lyrics in German and English
• Thanksgiving in Germany – Erntedank

NOTE: Plural forms of nouns are shown in ( ): Lied, das (-er) = Lieder = songs

Glossary Copyright © 1999-2023 Hyde Flippo

A

Advent, der | Advent
MORE: Advent Customs
Adventskalender, der (-) | Advent calendar
See our online Advent calendar with Christmas facts!

Advent (Latin for “arrival, coming”) is the four-week period leading up to Christmas. In German-speaking countries and most of Europe the first Advent weekend is the traditional beginning of the Christmas season when open-air Christmas markets (Christkindlmärkte) appear in many cities, the most famous ones being those in Nuremberg and Vienna. Most stores and shops in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are open weekends and evenings during Advent. – In Austria the ‘s’ is often dropped in Advent-words (as in Adventzeit or Adventkalender).

Adventskranz, der | Advent wreath – See Advent Customs for more.
Adventszeit, die | Advent season

B

Barbarazweig, der | Barbara branch/twig – A pre-Christmas custom celebrated in Catholic regions on Dec. 4th, Saint Barbara’s feast day.

Barbarazweig is a winter custom usually involving cherry tree twigs. It is celebrated in Catholic regions on Dec. 4th, the traditional feast day of St. Barbara (Barbaratag). For more, see: Barbarazweig

Basler Brunsli (pl.) | Basel chocolate balls – A sweet confection made with chocolate, almonds, and hazelnut; a Christmas treat.
Baumkuchen, der | Baumkuchen (“tree cake”) is a layered cake whose interior resembles Christmas tree rings when cut.
Beleuchtung, die | lighting
» die Außenbeleuchtung | outdoor lighting
Bescherung, die | gift giving, exchange of presents

Bescherung – Two common German idioms are based on this word: (1) “Da haben wir die Bescherung.” = “I told you so!”/”What did I tell you!” (2) “Das ist ja eine schöne Bescherung!” = “This is a fine mess!”

Bibel, die | Bible
Bonbon, das/der (-s) | candy, sweets
Bude, die (-n) | stand, booth (at Christmas market)
» die Glühweinbude = the mulled wine stand

C

Chanukka, das | Chanukkah/Hanukkah, the Jewish “Festival of Lights” that usually falls close to Christmas
Chor, der | choir, chorus
Christbaum, der | Christmas tree
» The first Christmas tree to decorate the inside of the White House was put up by US President Franklin Pierce in 1856. (German immigrants brought the custom to America.) In England Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert (1819-1861) of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, helped popularize the Christmas tree and other German Christmas customs.
MORE: The German Christmas Tree
MORE: German Christmas Ornaments
Christkind, das/Christkindl, das | the Christkindl (“Christ child”), an angel-like figure with golden hair who brings gifts

The term “Kris Kringle” (for Santa) is a corruption of Christkindl. The word came into American English via the Pennsylvania Germans, whose neighbors misunderstood the German word for the bringer of gifts. With the passage of time, Santa Claus (from Dutch Sinterclaas) and Kris Kringle became synonymous. The Austrian town of Christkindl bei Steyr is a popular Christmas post office, an Austrian “North Pole.”

Christkindlesmarkt, der (-märkte) | Christmas market
Christkindlmarkt, der (-märkte) | Christmas market
Christmette, die/die Mitternachtsmette, die | midnight mass
Christstollen, der | Christmas bread/cake, fruit cake
C+M+B – This inscription, written over doorways for Epiphany, refers to Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar (the Magi, see Star Singers and C+M+B), but also has a Latin meaning.

D

dekorieren | to decorate
Dreikönigsfest, das | Epiphany (Jan. 6), Feast of the Three Kings (Wise Men)
Dresdner Weihnachtsstollen | Dresden Christmas [fruit] bread/loaf

E

Eierlikör, der | eggnog (Eierlikör is similar to, but not the same as eggnog)
Eis, das | ice
Eis-Lametta, das | icicle (tinsel)
Eislaufen, das | ice skating
Eiszapfen, der (-) | icicle(s)
Engel, der (-) | angel
» Schneeengel, der | snow angel
erklingen/klingeln | to ring (bells)

F

Feuerzangenbowle, die | flaming hot tongs punch
MORE: German Hot Winter Drinks
Flitter, der/Lametta, das | tinsel (See “Lametta” below for more.)
Freut euch! Freue dich! | Rejoice!
Friede auf Erden! | Peace on Earth!
Fröhliche Weihnachten!, Frohe Weihnachten! | Merry Christmas! Happy Christmas!

G

Gebäck, das | baked goods, pastry
Geburt Christi, die | birth of Christ, the nativity
Geschenk, das (-e) | gift, present
» Caution! The German word das Gift means “poison.” If you are mailing a present to German Europe, you may wish to mark it with the German word Geschenk, in addition to “gift.”
Girlande, die (-n) | garland
Glaskugel, die (-n) | glass ball/globe (ornament)
Glocke, die | bell
Glöckchen, das | little bell
MORE: “Kling, Glöckchen” – Lyrics in German and English for this popular German carol
Glühwein, der | hot mulled, spiced wine (“glow wine”)
MORE: German Hot Winter Drinks
Gurke, die | cucumber
» saure Gurke | pickle – See The German Pickle Ornament, tradition or myth?

H

Hanukka, das | Chanukkah/Hanukkah, the Jewish “Festival of Lights” that usually falls close to Christmas
Heiland, der/Retter, der | (the) Savior
Heiligabend, der | Christmas Eve
Heiligen Drei Könige, die/Weisen, die | The (Three) Wise Men, Three Kings, Magi
MORE: Epiphany and the Sternsinger – plus the C+M+B inscription
heilig (adj.) | holy, sacred
Hirt, der (-en) | shepherd

J

Jesus, der (YEA-zoos) | Jesus
Jesulein, das | Baby Jesus

K

Kamin, der | fireplace
Karpfen, der (-) | carp
» Carp is a traditional Christmas or New Year’s delicacy in many parts of Germany.
Kekse, Kipferln, Plätzchen (pl.) | cookies
Kerze, die (-n) | candle(s)
» elektrische Kerzen | electric candles, Christmas lights

Kerzen, candles, with their light and warmth, have long been used in winter celebrations as symbols of the sun in the dark of winter. The Christians later adopted candles as their own symbol of the “Light of the World.” Candles also play an important role in the eight-day Jewish “Festival of Lights” Hanukkah celebration.

Kipferl, das (-n) | Kipferl – An Austrian Christmas cookie. See: vanilla crescents Vanillekipferln
Kletzenbrot, das | fruit bread, Christmas bread (an Alpine rye bread containing dried pears, Kletzen, and various spices)
klingeln/erklingen | to ring (bells)
König, der (-e) | king(s)
» Heiligen Drei Könige, die/Weisen, die | The Three Kings (The Wise Men)
Krampus, der | Krampus – See “Ruprecht” below.
MORE: Krampus, the Christmas Devil of Alpine Europe
Kranz, der | wreath
MORE: Advent Customs and the Advent wreath
Krippe, die | the manger, créche, nativity
Krippenbild, das | the nativity (scene)
Kripplein, das | the manger, créche, nativity

L

Lametta, das/Flitter, der | tinsel
» In Germany and many parts of the world, tinsel is now banned because it interferes with Christmas tree recycling.
MORE: German Christmas Ornaments and tinsel’s German origins
Lampe, die | lamp, light (bulb)
Lebkuchen, der | gingerbread
Licht, das | light
Lichter, die (pl.) | lights

Also see the English-German version of this Christmas Glossary.

M

Maria und Joseph | Mary and Joseph
Marzipan, das | marzipan (almond paste candy)
Menora, die | menorah (also die Chanukkia; the nine-armed candelabrum used in the Hanakkuh observance)
Mitternachtsmette, die/Christmette, die | midnight mass
Mistel, die | mistletoe
Myrrhe, die | myrrh
» Gold, frankincense and myrrh (Gold, Weihrauch und Myrrhe) are the three precious gifts brought by Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar (the Magi, see C+M+B) to Baby Jesus, although the Bible never names or numbers the gift-bringers.

N

Nast, Thomas – Nast is the German-American cartoonist who gave the US and the world its traditional image of Santa Claus. See Thomas Nast and the image of Santa Claus.
Neujahr, das | New Year
» Silvester, das/der | New Year’s Eve
» Silvesterfeier, die | New Year’s Eve party, New Year’s party
Nikolaus, der | (Saint) Nicholas
Nikolaustag, der | St. Nicholas Day, Feast of St. Nicholas (Dec. 6)
» In Austria and Catholic regions of Germany, children put shoes outside their door on the night of Dec. 5, so that Saint Nicholas (dressed like a bishop) can leave presents in them for the morning of Dec. 6. See more under “Sankt Nikolaus.”

Nickel, der | Nickel (nickname for Nicholas) – See “Ruprecht” below and “Nikolaus.”
Nuss, die (Nüsse) | nut
Nussknacker, der (-) | nutcracker – See Guide to German Nutcrackers for more.

O

Orgel, die | church organ, pipe organ

P

Pfand, das | deposit (for a bottle or mug)
» When you buy a mug of Glühwein at a Christmas market, part of the price is a deposit (Pfand). If you return the cup, you’ll get your deposit back. If not, you paid a 4 or 5-euro deposit for the cup.
Plätzchen, das (-) | cookie
Poinsettie, die/Weihnachtsstern, der | poinsettia
» Poinsettia is named for J.R. Poinsett (1779-1851), US ambassador to Mexico, who popularized the flower. In German it is also called “Christmas star.”

Prosit Neujahr! | Happy New Year!

R

das Rentier (-e) | reindeer
Ruprecht, der | Ruprecht (name); also known by other names (see below)
» Ruprecht is a demonic figure who used to accompany St. Nicholas to punish bad children with his Rute (switch); based on mythical winter figures going back to pagan times. He is rarely seen today – or changed into a “good” Ruprecht. Also known as: Hans Muff, Knecht Ruprecht, Krampus, or Nickel. In some parts of Germany, Ruprecht is good – just another Weihnachtsmann, and Krampus is the bad guy.

Retter, der/Heiland, der | (the) Savior
die Rute | rod, switch (see “Ruprecht” above)

S

Sankt Nikolaus, der | Saint Nicholas (not Santa Claus)

Saint Nicholas is not Santa Claus or the American “Saint Nick.” December 6, the Feast of St. Nicholas, is the day upon which the original Bishop Nicholas of Myra (today in Turkey) is commemorated – and is the date of his death in the year 343. He was later granted sainthood. The German Sankt Nikolaus, dressed as a bishop, brings gifts on that day. (Also see “Ruprecht” above.) According to legend, it was also Bishop Nicholas who gave us the Christmas tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace. The kindly bishop is said to have thrown bags of gold for the poor down the chimney. The bags landed in stockings that had been hung by the fire to dry. This Saint Nicholas legend may also partly explain the American custom of Santa coming down the chimney with his bag of gifts. See our St. Nicholas page for more.

saure Gurke | pickle
» Gurke, die | cucumber (See The German Pickle Ornament – tradition or myth?)
Schaf, das (-e) | sheep
Schäfer, der (-) | shepherd
Schleife, die | bow (ribbon)
Schlitten, der (-) | sled, sleigh, toboggan
Schlittschuh, der (-e) | ice skate
Schlittschuhlaufen, das | ice skating
Schmuck, der/Verzierung, die | decorations, ornamentation, ornaments (tree, etc.)
» Weihnachtsschmuck, der | Christmas decoration(s)
schmücken/verzieren/dekorieren | to decorate
Schnee, der | snow
Schnee- | snow (in compounds)
Schneeball, der | snowball
Schneeengel, der | snow angel
Schneeflocke, die | snowflake
Schneemann, der | snowman
schneien | to snow
» Es schneit. | It’s snowing.
schneeig (adj.) | snowy
schneebedeckt (adj.) | snow-covered
Schornstein, der | chimney
Schuss, der | shot (of rum, whisky); gunshot; schuss (skiing)
» mit Schuss = with a shot (of rum or amaretto for an extra charge)
Schwibbogen, der (-bögen | Christmas candle arch, Schwibbogen
MORE: The German Christmas Candle Arch or Schwibbogen
Silvester, das/der | New Year’s Eve (See Silvester – New Year’s Eve in Germany for more.)
Silvesterfeier, die | New Year’s Eve party, New Year’s party
» Neujahr, das | New Year
singen | sing
Spielzeug, das (-e) | toy
Stall, der | stable, stall; stand
Stand, der (Stände) | stand, booth (at Christmas market)
» der Glühweinstand = the mulled wine stand
Stechpalme, die | holly
» In pagan times, holly was believed to have magical powers that kept evil spirits away. The Christians later made it a symbol of Christ’s crown of thorns. According to legend, the holly berries were originally white, but turned red from Christ’s blood.
Stern, der (-e) | star(s)
Sternsinger, der (-) | “star singer” – Dressed as the Wise Men, the Sternsinger make their rounds during Epiphany, singing carols to raise money for Catholic missions all over the world. See Epiphany and the Sternsinger for more.
Stille Nacht | “Silent Night” > Silent Night: The True Story
» The world’s most popular Christmas carol was created 200 years ago in Austria by Franz Gruber (music) and Joseph Mohr (text), and first performed by them with guitar accompaniment in Oberndorf bei Salzburg on Christmas Eve of 1818. More: “Silent Night” Lyrics
Striezel, der (dial.) | Christmas bread/cake, (Dresden) fruit cake
» Dresden’s main Christmas market is named “der Striezelmarkt” after the famous Christmas cake invented there. See “Weihnachtsmarkt” below for more.
MORE: Dresden City Guide
Stollen, der, Christstollen, der, Striezel, der (dial.) | Christmas bread/cake, fruit cake
Strohstern, der (-e) | straw star (traditional Christmas decoration made of straw)
Süssigkeiten, die (pl.) | candy, sweets

T

Tannenbaum, der (-bäume) | fir tree, Christmas tree
Tannenzweig, der | fir/pine branch
» Originally, most German Christmas trees were fir trees (Tannenbäume). Over the years, as the percentage of fir trees in German forests dropped, spruce trees (Fichtenbäume) became more prevalent. But today the word Tannenbaum is still synonymous with “Christmas tree.”
MORE: The German Christmas Tree
CAROLS: German Christmas Carols, including “O Tannenbaum” (“O Christmas Tree”)

U

Umzug, der (Umzüge)) | parade, procession
undankbar (adj) | ungrateful

V

Vanillekipferl, das (-n) | vanilla crescent (cookies)
» The Austrian/Bavarian pastry called Vanillekipferln or just Kipferln are small sweet baked crescents covered with powdered vanilla sugar. Traditionally served around Christmas, Kipferln also come in nut (Nuss), almond (Mandeln) and other varieties.
Verzierung, die/Schmuck, der | decorations, ornaments, ornamentation (tree, etc.)

W

Weihnachten, das (sing., pl.) | Christmas
» Fröhliche Weihnachten! – Frohe Weihnachten! Merry Christmas! – Happy Christmas!
Weihnachtsbaum, der | Christmas tree
MORE: The German Christmas Tree
Weihnachtsfest, das | Christmas festival, Christmas
weihnachten (impers. verb) – used in…
» Es weihnachtet. | It’s Christmas. – Christmas is coming.
Weihnachtskarte, die (-n) | Christmas card
Weihnachtslied, das (-er) | carol, Christmas carol
» LYRICS > German Christmas Carols
Weihnachtsmann, der | Father Christmas, Santa Claus
Weihnachtsmarkt, der (-märkte) | Christmas market
MORE: Christmas Markets in Germany and Europe

Outdoor Christmas pyramid in Erfurt

A large outdoor Weihnachtspyramide at an Erfurt Christmas market. PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons

Weihnachtspyramide, die (-n) | Christmas pyramid
» Originally from the Erzgebirge (“iron ore range”) region of Germany, the wood or rope pyramid was the “poor man’s Christmas tree.” Today the Christmas pyramid is a popular Christmas decoration in many parts of Germany, usually made with candles and bells that ring as the heat from the candles turns a wooden rotor at the top. See the photo above.
MORE: The Christmas Pyramid (Weihnachtspyramide)

Weihnachtsschmuck, der | Christmas decoration(s)
Weihnachtsstern, der | poinsettia
Weihrauch, der | frankincense
Weisen, die/Heiligen Drei Könige, die | The (Three) Wise Men, the Magi
Wiege, die | cradle, créche
Winter, der | winter

Z

Zimtstern, der (-e) | cinnamon star – A star-shaped, cinnamon-flavored Christmas cookie
Zucker, der | sugar; candy (in compounds)

Next | Christmas Vocabulary: English-German

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