turn of the year
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turn of the year
The time of transition from the old year to the new year, especially the days around New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Viele Menschen feiern den Jahreswechsel mit Feuerwerk und guten Vorsätzen.
Many people celebrate the turn of the year with fireworks and New Year's resolutions.
The word is made up of 'Jahr' (year), the linking element '-es-', and 'Wechsel' (change). So it literally describes the 'Wechsel des Jahres' (change of the year).
Wir planen unsere Reise um den Jahreswechsel herum.
We are planning our trip around the turn of the year.
You use 'zum Jahreswechsel' when talking about the occasion, and 'am Jahreswechsel' when you mean the exact point in time. Both expressions are very common.
Zum Jahreswechsel schicken sich die Leute Grüße.
At the turn of the year, people send each other greetings.
The 'Jahreswechsel' (turn of the year) is closely connected with certain traditions. Typical activities are 'gute Vorsätze fassen' (to make New Year's resolutions), 'mit Sekt anstoßen' (to toast with sparkling wine), or 'ein Feuerwerk ansehen' (to watch fireworks).
Mein guter Vorsatz zum Jahreswechsel ist, mehr Sport zu treiben.
My New Year's resolution at the turn of the year is to do more sports.
year-end
Jahresende is the final phase of the old calendar year, especially the last few weeks or months. Jahreswechsel, by contrast, refers to the transition from the old year to the new one, around New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Jahresende fits a conclusion in December, while Jahreswechsel fits the transition between the years.
Zum Jahreswechsel bleibt die Firma an Silvester und Neujahr geschlossen.
Around the turn of the year, the company is closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Zum Jahresende erstellt die Firma ihren letzten Bericht für Dezember.
At year-end, the company prepares its final report for December.
