How to celebrate Halloween in German
As autumn arrives in Germany, so does the excitement for Halloween. It's time to learn some Halloween vocabulary to join in the fun. Let's get started and prepare you for October 31st!
1. Halloween
The word "Halloween" harks back to the 8th century. Initially, October 31st was known as "All Hallows Eve." As time went by, it evolved into "Hallow Evening." The progression is clear once you think about it. In German, this celebration is referred to as “das Halloween.”
Recommended study materials on the topic:
Basic and advanced vocabulary based on topics A1-B2 (including English translation)
German self-study book for A1-B1 (incl. answers)
________________________
2. Süßes oder Saures
During Halloween, while English-speaking kids say "trick or treat" at doorsteps, German children use their own phrases. They cheerfully call out “Süßes oder Saures,” which translates to "sweet or sour." It's a fun cultural twist on a beloved tradition, showing how different countries add their unique flair to the celebration.
3. Halloween nouns
Halloween in Germany comes with its own vocabulary to capture the spooky spirit. Delving into the German vocabulary for this festivity: "das Skelett" represents the bone structure we commonly know as a skeleton. "Die Fledermaus" flutters in the night as a bat. "Die Vogelscheuche" is the scarecrow that stands guard in fields. "Das Monster" is a familiar term, signifying a monster, and "das Kostüm" is what revelers wear - a costume. "Die Kürbislaterne" illuminates the night as a jack-o'-lantern, and "das Spinnennetz" is the intricate design of a spider web. "Die Gänsehaut" is the shiver-inducing feeling or goosebumps, and lastly, "das Spukhaus" sends chills down one's spine as the haunted house. Dive into these terms and immerse yourself in the German Halloween experience!
das Skelett - the skeleton
die Fledermaus - the bat
die Vogelscheuche - the scarecrow
das Monster - the monster
das Kostüm - the costume
die Kürbislaterne - jack-o'-lantern
das Spinnennetz - the spider web
die Gänsehaut - the goosebumps
das Spukhaus - the haunted house
4. Halloween activities
As Halloween approaches, a few verbs become particularly relevant for the celebrations. For Halloween in Germany, "sich verkleiden" is key, meaning to dress up. Many also engage in "einen Kürbis schnitzen," or pumpkin carving, creating glowing faces. The joy of "naschen" (snacking) is anticipated by kids eager for treats. Some mischievous souls might "Streiche spielen" (play pranks). Yet, the heart of the celebration is "klingeln" - ringing doorbells and continuing the age-old tradition of trick-or-treating.
sich verkleiden - to dress up
einen Kürbis schnitzen - pumpkin carving
naschen - to snack
Streiche spielen - play pranks
klingeln - to ring the doorbell
5. Halloween adjectives
Certainly, adjectives play a pivotal role in setting the mood for Halloween in German, too. Two especially evocative ones are "unheimlich" and "gruselig." "Unheimlich" can be translated as "eerie" or "uncanny," capturing the mysterious and unsettling ambiance of haunted tales. Meanwhile, "gruselig" means "spooky,” “scary" or "creepy," perfectly describing the spine-tingling sensations many seek during this spooky season. Together, these words encapsulate the chilling essence of Halloween.
unheimlich - eerie , uncanny, spooky
gruselig - scary, creepy, spooky
Conclusion
Having delved into this article, you're now equipped with the essentials to immerse yourself in Germany's Halloween festivities. You should also check out German autumn vocabulary.
May your celebrations be thrillingly spooky!
Süßes oder Saures!
Steffie
Hello there! Although my blog content is free of charge, your kind support is greatly appreciated.
Hi there, I'm Stefanie, the author of the blog post you're reading.
Please support my work!
Search blog