Weihnachten

German

Pronunciation

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• IPA: [ˈvaiˌnaχtn]

Etymology

From Middle High German wīhenahten (12th century), a dative plural form ze wīhen nahten (‘in the holy nights’) understood as a compound of weihen (to hallow) and Nacht (night), referring to the mid-winter nights, which were already celebrated in Germanic times. Compare Weihnacht.

Noun

Weihnachten n (genitive -, no plural), especially in Austria and Switzerland also plural

1. Christmas
   • Es ist Weihnachten.

     It's Christmas.

   • Frohe Weihnachten! pl

     Merry Christmas!

   • Wir wünschen Ihnen frohe Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr!

     (formal) We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Derived terms

• weihnachtlich
• Weihnachtsbaum
• Weihnachtsferien
• Weihnachtsfest
• Weihnachtsgebäck
• Weihnachtsgeld
• Weihnachtsgeschenk
• Weihnachtsmann
• Weihnachtsmarkt

See also

• Advent, Nikolaus, Heiligabend,