Saint Nicholas
der Nikolaus, die Nikolause
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Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas, who was a bishop and, according to Christian tradition, brings children gifts on December 6.
Die Kinder stellen ihre Stiefel vor die Tür, damit der Nikolaus sie in der Nacht mit Süßigkeiten füllt.
The children put their boots outside the door so that Saint Nicholas can fill them with sweets during the night.
person dressed as Saint Nicholas
A person dressed as Saint Nicholas who usually hands out gifts to children at a celebration.
Der Nikolaus nahm nach der Feier seinen falschen Bart ab.
The man dressed as Saint Nicholas took off his fake beard after the celebration.
Saint Nicholas Day
A name for Saint Nicholas Day, December 6. In this sense, the German word is usually used without an article.
An Nikolaus bekommen die Kinder bei uns kleine Geschenke.
In our family, the children get small gifts on Saint Nicholas Day.
Saint Nicholas figure
A figure in the shape of Saint Nicholas, especially one made of chocolate.
Sie wickelte den Nikolaus aus der Folie und brach ein Stück Schokolade ab.
She unwrapped the Saint Nicholas figure from its foil and broke off a piece of chocolate.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Nikolause |
| genitive | des Nikolaus |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Nikolaus | die Nikolause die Nikoläuse |
| accusative | den Nikolaus | die Nikolause die Nikoläuse |
| dative | dem Nikolaus | den Nikolausen den Nikoläusen |
| genitive | des Nikolaus des Nikolauses | der Nikolause der Nikoläuse |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
A typical expression is 'an den Nikolaus glauben' (to believe in Saint Nicholas). Here, 'an' takes the accusative; this expression is used especially when talking about children.
Unsere kleine Tochter glaubt noch an den Nikolaus.
Our little daughter still believes in Saint Nicholas.
The expression 'den Nikolaus spielen' (to play Saint Nicholas) describes someone taking on the role of Saint Nicholas during a visit or celebration. The person is the subject, and 'den Nikolaus' (Saint Nicholas) is the accusative object.
Bei der Feier im Kindergarten spielt mein Onkel den Nikolaus.
My uncle plays Saint Nicholas at the kindergarten celebration.
The expressions 'an Nikolaus' (on Saint Nicholas Day) and 'zu Nikolaus' (for Saint Nicholas Day) are commonly used to refer to the day. 'An Nikolaus' specifies when something happens, while 'zu Nikolaus' is often used when talking about gifts or wishes for the occasion.
An Nikolaus findet in unserer Schule eine kleine Feier statt.
There is a small celebration at our school on Saint Nicholas Day.
Zu Nikolaus schenkt uns unsere Nachbarin selbst gebackene Kekse.
Our neighbor gives us homemade cookies for Saint Nicholas Day.
Expressions such as 'einen Nikolaus auspacken' (to unwrap a Saint Nicholas figure) or 'einen Nikolaus aufessen' (to eat up a Saint Nicholas figure) indicate a chocolate figure. The type of chocolate is also often specified using 'aus' (made of), as in 'ein Nikolaus aus Vollmilchschokolade' (a Saint Nicholas figure made of milk chocolate).
Den Nikolaus aus Vollmilchschokolade haben wir zusammen aufgegessen.
We ate the whole milk chocolate Saint Nicholas figure together.
