New Year’s Eve, or Silvester, is a festive and exciting time in Germany, filled with fireworks, parties, and traditions that ring in the New Year with style. Whether you’re planning to join in the local celebrations or want to understand what’s happening around you, knowing some essential German words and phrases can enhance your experience. Here’s a guide to help you navigate New Year’s Eve in Germany.
1. Basic Vocabulary for New Year's Eve
To get started, let’s cover some basic words you’ll hear frequently around this time:
Silvester – New Year’s Eve
Neujahr – New Year’s Day
das Feuerwerk – Fireworks
der/die Böller – Firecrackers
der Sekt – Sparkling wine (often used to toast the New Year)
das Raclette – A popular dish made with melted cheese, often enjoyed on New Year’s Eve
das Bleigießen – A traditional fortune-telling activity using molten lead
Mitternacht – Midnight
Prosit Neujahr! – Cheers to the New Year!
Guten Rutsch! – Literally "Good slide!", meaning "Have a good start to the New Year!"
Countdown – The countdown to midnight
2. Wishing Someone a Happy New Year
It’s customary to wish people well as the New Year approaches. Here are some key phrases (You'll find many more in our designated post on how to say Happy New Year in German):
Frohes neues Jahr!(Happy New Year!)
Ich wünsche dir ein glückliches und gesundes neues Jahr.(I wish you a happy and healthy New Year.)
Prosit Neujahr!(Cheers to the New Year!)
Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!(Have a good start to the New Year!)
Möge das neue Jahr dir viel Erfolg bringen.(May the New Year bring you much success.)
3. Talking About New Year's Eve Plans
Discussing plans for Silvester is a common topic of conversation in the days leading up to December 31st:
Was machst du an Silvester?(What are you doing on New Year’s Eve?)
Feierst du Silvester mit Freunden oder Familie?(Are you celebrating New Year’s Eve with friends or family?)
Ich gehe zu einer Silvesterparty.(I’m going to a New Year’s Eve party.)
Wir machen ein Raclette-Abendessen.(We’re having a raclette dinner.)
Wirst du das Feuerwerk ansehen?(Will you watch the fireworks?)
Wir stoßen um Mitternacht mit Sekt an.(We’ll toast with sparkling wine at midnight.)
4. Engaging in Traditional Activities
There are several traditional activities that take place on New Year’s Eve in Germany, and it’s helpful to know the phrases associated with them:
Möchtest du Bleigießen machen?(Would you like to do lead-pouring?)
Werden wir das neue Jahr mit einem Feuerwerk begrüßen?(Shall we welcome the New Year with fireworks?)
Ich schaue immer "Dinner for One" an Silvester.(I always watch "Dinner for One" on New Year’s Eve.)
Lass uns den Countdown zusammen machen!(Let’s do the countdown together!)
5. Countdown to Midnight
The final minutes before the clock strikes midnight are filled with anticipation. Here’s how to be part of the excitement:
Es sind nur noch fünf Minuten bis Mitternacht!(Only five minutes until midnight!)
Zehn, neun, acht...(Ten, nine, eight...)
Fünf, vier, drei, zwei, eins... Frohes neues Jahr!(Five, four, three, two, one... Happy New Year!)
Lasst uns auf das neue Jahr anstoßen!(Let’s toast to the New Year!)
6. After Midnight
After the clock strikes twelve, the celebrations continue, often with fireworks, music, and more:
Das Feuerwerk ist wunderschön!(The fireworks are beautiful!)
Ich hoffe, das neue Jahr bringt viel Glück und Gesundheit.(I hope the New Year brings lots of luck and health.)
Lass uns ein Neujahrslied singen!(Let’s sing a New Year’s song!)
Wann gehst du nach Hause?(When are you going home?)
Ich wünsche euch allen ein glückliches neues Jahr.(I wish you all a happy New Year.)
Sample Dialogue for New Year's Eve
Here’s how you might use some of these phrases in conversation:
You: Was machst du an Silvester?**(What are you doing on New Year’s Eve?)
Friend: Ich gehe zu einer Party. Und du?**(I’m going to a party. And you?)
You: Ich feiere mit meiner Familie und wir stoßen um Mitternacht mit Sekt an.**(I’m celebrating with my family, and we’ll toast with sparkling wine at midnight.)
Friend: Das klingt schön! Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!**(That sounds nice! Have a good start to the New Year!)
You: Danke, dir auch! Frohes neues Jahr!**(Thanks, you too! Happy New Year!)
Conclusion
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Germany is a lively and festive experience, filled with traditions, good food, and joyous company. By learning these essential German words and phrases, you’ll be able to fully participate in the festivities, share your plans, and wish everyone around you a wonderful start to the New Year. Guten Rutsch und frohes neues Jahr! (Happy New Year!)
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