Santa Claus
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Santa Claus
A fictional figure who, in many Western cultures during the Christmas season, especially on Christmas Eve, brings children presents.
Die kleinen Kinder schreiben Wunschzettel an den Weihnachtsmann.
The little children write wish lists to Santa Claus.
The word is composed of 'Weihnachten' (Christmas), the linking -s, and 'Mann' (man). So it literally means 'Christmas man'.
Im Kaufhaus saß ein Mann, der als Weihnachtsmann verkleidet war.
In the department store, there was a man sitting there who was dressed as Santa Claus.
Common verbs in connection with Santa Claus are 'an den Weihnachtsmann glauben' (to believe in Santa Claus), 'einen Wunschzettel schreiben' (to write a wish list), and 'Geschenke bringen' (to bring presents). Note the fixed preposition 'an' with the accusative in 'glauben'.
Meine kleine Nichte glaubt noch fest an den Weihnachtsmann.
My little niece still firmly believes in Santa Claus.
Der Weihnachtsmann (Santa Claus) is the dominant gift-bringing figure in northern, central, and eastern Germany. In southern and western Germany as well as in Austria and Switzerland, it is traditionally more often the 'Christkind' (Christ Child) who brings the presents.
In unserer Familie kam früher immer der Weihnachtsmann.
In our family, Santa Claus always used to come.
Christ Child
Both figures can refer to the gift-bringer in a Christmas story. However, Weihnachtsmann (Santa Claus) and Christkind (Christ Child) are chosen differently depending on regional and religious-cultural traditions. Use the word that is customary for this figure in the particular family or region.
In unserer Familie bringt der Weihnachtsmann die Geschenke am Heiligabend.
In our family, Santa Claus brings the presents on Christmas Eve.
In ihrer Familie bringt das Christkind die Geschenke am Heiligabend.
In their family, the Christ Child brings the presents on Christmas Eve.
