Fasnacht
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Fasnacht / carnival
A regional term for carnival, used especially in Switzerland and southwestern Germany. It is the time of festivals and parades before the Easter fasting period.
Die Basler Fasnacht beginnt am Montag nach Aschermittwoch mit dem Morgestraich.
Basel Fasnacht begins on the Monday after Ash Wednesday with the Morgestraich.
This word is used mainly in Switzerland and southwestern Germany, for example Baden-Württemberg, for the carnival season. In other parts of the German-speaking world, other terms are common.
Wir fahren jedes Jahr zur Fasnacht in die Schweiz.
We go to Switzerland for Fasnacht every year.
The name 'Fasnacht' historically derives from 'Fastennacht' (fasting night). It originally referred to the night before the beginning of the Christian fasting period, when people celebrated extensively one last time.
Die Fasnacht ist die Zeit vor der langen Fastenzeit.
Fasnacht is the time before the long fasting period.
'Fasnacht' is frequently used with the verb 'feiern' (to celebrate). The name of a city or region is also often placed before it to name a specific tradition, such as 'die Basler Fasnacht' (Basel Fasnacht) or 'die schwäbisch-alemannische Fasnacht' (Swabian-Alemannic Fasnacht).
In unserem Dorf feiern wir die Fasnacht mit einem großen Umzug.
In our village, we celebrate Fasnacht with a big parade.
carnival
'der Karneval' and 'die Fasnacht' both mean the festive period before Lent with parades, masks, and celebrations. The difference is mainly regional. 'Karneval' is known in many parts of Germany and is especially typical in the Rhineland. 'Fasnacht' is used mainly in Switzerland and in southwestern Germany. The words can be confused because they describe the same occasion. When talking about a specific region, you should use the word that is customary there.
In Basel ist die Fasnacht ein sehr wichtiges Fest.
In Basel, Fasnacht is a very important festival.
Der Karneval beginnt bald, deshalb hängen schon bunte Fahnen in der Stadt.
Carnival is starting soon, so colorful flags are already hanging in the city.