Stechpalme
/ˈʃtɛçˌpalmə/feminine
The English word holly is translated to German as Stechpalme. If unsure, use Stechpalme. Wiktionary also lists Hulse and Hulst.
Meaning: any of various shrubs or small trees of the genus Ilex (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Stechpalme | /ˈʃtɛçˌpalmə/ | feminine |
| Hulse | feminine | |
| Hulst | masculine | |
| Hülse | /ˈhʏlzə/ | feminine |
| Stechhülse | /ˈʃtɛçˌhʏlzə/ | feminine |
| Hülsdorn | /ˈhʏlsdɔʁn/ | masculine |
| Ilex | masculine |
Stechpalme refers to any of various shrubs or small trees of the genus Ilex.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Stechpalme is a compound noun made of stechen, which means to prick or sting and Palme, which means palm.
Which one should you use?
While Stechpalme is the standard term, Hulst is a regional variant often found in certain German dialects or older texts.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃtɛçˌpalmə/
Did you know?
- The word Stechpalme was once a substitute for the actual palm branches used on Palm Sunday. Because real palms were not native to the region, people used the prickly Stechpalme instead.
- Historically, holly was sometimes referred to as Christdorn in German, directly linking the plant to the religious imagery of the crown of thorns.
Examples in context
- Ich nahm ein Hülsdornreis und steckte es mir ans Hutband.I took a sprig of holly, and tucked it into my hat band.This sentence is useful for seeing Hülsdorn used to describe a sprig of holly.Tatoeba #13590615 by Waldelfe, translation #10328020 by mollydot
- Stechpalmenzweige werden oft als Weihnachtsschmuck verwendet.Holly branches are often used for decoration at Christmas.This sentence is useful for seeing how Stechpalme is used in the context of Christmas decorations.Tatoeba #2354070 by kolonjano, translation #2349843 by AlanF_US
- Jeder Dummkopf, der mit einem „Fröhliche Weihnachten!“ auf den Lippen herumzieht, sollte mit seinem eigenen Pudding gekocht und mit einem Stechpalmenpflock durchs Herz begraben werden!Every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas,' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.This sentence is useful for seeing a more dramatic use of Stechpalme.Tatoeba #5680687 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3712686 by Hybrid
Example conversation
Two gardeners are discussing plants in a nursery.
- FelixIst das eine Stechpalme?Is that a holly?
- HannahJa, die Stechpalme steht dort drüben.Yes, the holly is over there.
- FelixSie sieht sehr gesund aus.It looks very healthy.
- HannahJa, sie ist sehr kräftig.Yes, it is very strong.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “holly” translations and entries Stechpalme, Hulst, Hülse, Stechhülse, Hülsdorn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Hülse, Stechpalme, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
