Fröhliche Wiehnachten
Low German
In Low German, the Plattdeutsch of northern Germany, you wish someone a merry Christmas with Fröhliche Wiehnachten. The word Wiehnachten replaces the standard German Weihnachten. It is also called Vergnöögte Wiehnachten.
Meaning: Christmas greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| German | Note |
|---|---|
| Fröhliche Wiehnachten | Low German |
| Vergnöögte Wiehnachten | Low German |
Which one should you use?
Standard German says Frohe Weihnachten. Low German is a separate language from standard German, which is why Wiehnachten is spelled and sounds different.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Spelling varies by region and writer, so you may also see Vergnöögte Wiehnachten or Schöne Wiehnachten for the same greeting.
Did you know?
- Low German greetings such as Moin are heard across northern Germany, even among people who speak standard German.
Examples in context
- Fröhliche Wiehnachten un en goot nee Johr!Merry Christmas and a good new year!
- Wi wünscht di fröhliche Wiehnachten.We wish you a merry Christmas.
Example conversation
Two neighbors, Hinrich and Anke, meet near a church in a village near Hamburg on Christmas Eve.
- HinrichMoin, Anke! Fröhliche Wiehnachten!Hello, Anke! Merry Christmas!
- AnkeFröhliche Wiehnachten, Hinrich.Merry Christmas, Hinrich.
- HinrichWi sehnt uns in't neeje Johr.We will see each other in the new year.
