julenissen
Santa in Norwegian is julenissen.
julenissen refers to the legendary figure who brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of jul (Christmas) and nissen (the gnome/nisse).
When do people say it?
While based on the American Santa Claus, the Norwegian julenisse is culturally rooted in the traditional Scandinavian folklore of the nisse, a small, helpful household spirit.
Did you know?
- In older Norwegian folklore, if you neglected the nisse by not leaving out a bowl of porridge with butter, he might play mischievous pranks on the farm or even harm the livestock.
- The term nisse is related to the Old Norse word níssi, which some historians believe is a shortened version of Nikolas, linking the folklore spirit to Saint Nicholas.
- Traditional Norwegian nisser were originally imagined as small people wearing grey clothes and red conical hats, rather than the plump red suit associated with julenissen.
Examples in context
- Sønnen min tror fortsatt på julenissen.My son still believes in Santa Claus.Tatoeba #14060449 by Mayk, translation #251377 by CK
- Når jeg var liten trodde jeg på julenissen.When I was little, I believed in Santa.Tatoeba #5237364 by Meggie, translation #3711993 by Hybrid
- Julenissen kommer snart!Santa Claus is coming soon!
- Barna venter spent på julenissen.The children are waiting excitedly for Santa.
Example conversation
Emma and Kristoffer are decorating the living room for Christmas.
- EmmaTror du julenissen kommer i kveld?Do you think Santa is coming tonight?
- KristofferJa, han kommer sikkert snart.Yes, he will probably come soon.
- EmmaJeg har satt ut melk til julenissen.I have put out milk for Santa.
- KristofferDet var veldig snilt av deg, Emma.That was very kind of you, Emma.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
