Christmas time is a big deal in Germany. To more fully experience Christmas, you can learn some German words related to the holiday. We came up with this list in my German language class.
In General
Christkind - the Christ Child
Frohe Weihnachten - Merry Christmas
Geshenke - presents
Heiliger Abend - Holy Night, or 24th December
Nikolaus - St. Nicholas, who brings small gifts on 6 December
Plätzchen - cookies
Räuchermann - literally "smoking man," a wooden sculpture that is used to burn incense and looks as if he's smoking
Weihnachten - Christmas
Weihnachtskugeln - Christmas ornaments
Weihnachtslieder - Christmas carols
Weihnachtsmann - Santa Claus
Weihnachtspyramide - Christmas pyramid, a traditional decoration that often uses heat from candles to turn the figures on it
Things at the Christmas market
Bratwurst - pan fried or roasted sausage
Eierpunsch - a hot, egg-based alcoholic drink, similar to eggnog
Dampfnudeln - steamed buns often served with vanilla or cherry sauce (read more here)
Feuerzangenbowle - fire +alcohol = oh my! Rum-soaked sugar is set on fire then drips into mulled wine
Glühwein - mulled wine
Heisse Schokolade - hot chocolate
Kinderpunsch - basically like Glühwein but for kids, minus the alcohol, of course!
Mandeln - almonds; these are often roasted and coated in sugar
Maronen - (roasted) chestnuts.
Mit Schuss - watch out for this one! You can add a shot of alcohol to many of your drinks
If you're in Rothenburg, Schneebälle might be useful, which means snow balls, but there it refers to pastry treats unique to the town. I got kinderpunsch at a couple of the markets lately because I had to drive. I actually liked it better than the Glühwein.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award. You can find out more about the award at the beginning of this post and some questions to answer at the bottom of the post. http://embracingadventure.com/2014/12/19/round-two-receiving-giving-liebster-blog-award/