B1 · 40 Wörter

Festivals and celebrations

The year’s fixed points, the words for congratulating somebody, and what is actually done on the day.

Several of these words name a day rather than a season, and the grammar goes with it: Weihnachten, Ostern and Silvester take no article and stand alone — an Weihnachten, zu Ostern. The customs differ from region to region and from country to country, and this page describes what the words mean rather than prescribing how anybody keeps them. One practical rule worth knowing: German does not congratulate somebody on a birthday before the day itself.

Die Wörter

Verb (7)

schmückento decorateVerbB1

Wir schmücken den Baum am Vormittag.We decorate the tree in the morning.

feiernto celebrateVerbA2

Wir feiern bis spät in die Nacht.We are celebrating until late.

gratulierento congratulateVerbA2

Ich gratuliere dir herzlich.Many congratulations.

Takes the dative: jemandem gratulieren.

schenkento give as a presentVerbA2

Was schenkst du ihm?What are you giving him?

anstoßento clink glassesVerbB1

Lasst uns kurz anstoßen.Let us have a toast.

Look the other person in the eye while doing it — not doing so is noticed.

auspustento blow outVerbB1

Puste die Kerzen aus!Blow the candles out!

sich verkleidento dress upVerbB1

Die Kinder verkleiden sich als Tiere.The children dress up as animals.

Diese Liste gehört zu Culture, belief and taking part — sieben Listen und 280 Wörter, die sich auch am Stück abfragen lassen.

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