schönen Nikolaustag
In German, "happy St Nicholas Day" is said as schönen Nikolaustag.
schönen Nikolaustag is a greeting used to wish someone a pleasant St. Nicholas Day, which is known in German as Nikolaustag. This greeting is typically used on the morning of December 6th, when children traditionally find treats in their shoes or boots.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of schönen (beautiful/nice) and Nikolaustag (Saint Nicholas Day).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective schönen takes the masculine accusative ending -en because it is part of an elliptical greeting, which is a shortened version of "[Ich wünsche dir einen] schönen Nikolaustag".
Did you know?
- While children receive treats on Nikolaustag, many Germans celebrate the night before with a much scarier figure called Krampus or Knecht Ruprecht, who punishes naughty children.
- While Nikolaustag is celebrated across Germany, the figure of Nikolaus is distinct from Weihnachtsmann. The former is a religious figure based on a bishop, while the latter is the secular Father Christmas.
- The tradition of treats on Nikolaustag is often linked to the 'Golden Legend', where Saint Nicholas secretly provided dowries for three poor sisters to save them from a life of hardship.
Examples in context
- Ich wünsche dir, meinem kleinen Schatz, einen schönen Nikolaustag!I wish you, my little darling, a lovely St. Nicholas Day!
- Hab einen gesegneten Nikolaustag, mein(e) [endearing term]!Have a blessed St. Nicholas Day, my [endearing term]!
- Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Nikolaustag!I wish you a happy Saint Nicholas Day!
- Allen Kindern einen schönen Nikolaustag!A happy Saint Nicholas Day to all children!
- Wir wünschen euch einen schönen Nikolaustag.We wish you (plural) a happy Saint Nicholas Day.
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are greeting each other in the morning.
- FelixGuten Morgen, Julia!Good morning, Julia!
- JuliaGuten Morgen, Felix! Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Nikolaustag.Good morning, Felix! I wish you a happy Saint Nicholas Day.
- FelixDanke, dir auch einen schönen Nikolaustag!Thanks, a happy Saint Nicholas Day to you too!
- JuliaVielen Dank!Thank you very much!
