Christmas tree
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Christmas tree
A conifer, usually a fir or spruce, that is put up indoors or outdoors at Christmastime and decorated with lights, baubles, and other ornaments.
Am Heiligabend versammelt sich die Familie um den leuchtenden Weihnachtsbaum.
On Christmas Eve, the family gathers around the glowing Christmas tree.
The word is made up of 'Weihnachten' (Christmas) and 'Baum' (tree). The 's' in the middle is a linking s, which connects the two parts of the word. So it is literally a 'tree for Christmas.'
Viele Familien kaufen ihren Weihnachtsbaum schon Anfang Dezember.
Many families buy their Christmas tree as early as the beginning of December.
Certain verbs are often used in connection with the Christmas tree. You can 'aufstellen' (put up), 'schmücken' (decorate), or 'loben' (praise) a Christmas tree. The lights on the tree can be 'anzünden' (lit) or 'einschalten' (switched on).
Die Kinder helfen jedes Jahr, den Weihnachtsbaum zu schmücken.
The children help decorate the Christmas tree every year.
Presents are typically 'unter dem Weihnachtsbaum' (under the Christmas tree). The decorations, e.g. baubles or candles, are 'am Weihnachtsbaum' (on the Christmas tree).
Die Geschenke liegen schon verpackt unter dem Weihnachtsbaum.
The presents are already wrapped under the Christmas tree.
fir
'Weihnachtsbaum' and 'Tanne' can refer to the same tree, but they do not mean exactly the same thing. A 'Tanne' is a tree species, a conifer. A 'Weihnachtsbaum' is a tree that is put up and decorated at Christmas. This tree can be a fir, but it does not always have to be exactly a fir. Learners may confuse the words because many Christmas trees are firs. When talking about the plant in nature, you say 'Tanne'. When talking about the decorated tree at Christmas, you say 'Weihnachtsbaum'.
Am Abend schmücken die Kinder den Weihnachtsbaum mit roten Kugeln.
In the evening, the children decorate the Christmas tree with red baubles.
Hinter dem Haus steht eine hohe Tanne mit weichen Nadeln.
Behind the house stands a tall fir with soft needles.