Essential German Words and Phrases for Easter: A Comprehensive Guide

Easter, or Ostern, is one of the most significant holidays in Germany, celebrated with religious traditions, festive gatherings, and well-known symbols such as Easter eggs (Ostereier) and the Easter Bunny (Osterhase). Whether you are travelling to Germany during Easter, celebrating with German-speaking friends, or simply expanding your language skills, learning German Easter vocabulary and phrases will help you engage more deeply with this cherished tradition. This guide will cover essential German words and phrases related to Easter, including holiday greetings, religious terms, traditions, and seasonal activities.

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1. General Easter Vocabulary in German

Here are some fundamental German words related to Easter:

English	German
Easter	Ostern
Easter Sunday	der Ostersonntag
Easter Monday	der Ostermontag
Holy Week	die Karwoche
Good Friday	der Karfreitag
Holy Saturday	der Karsamstag
Easter Vigil	die Osternacht
Easter Egg	das Osterei
Easter Bunny	der Osterhase
Easter Basket	das Osternest
Spring	der Frühling
Resurrection	die Auferstehung

Example Sentences:

• Wir feiern Ostern mit der Familie. (We celebrate Easter with family.)

• Am Ostersonntag suchen die Kinder Ostereier im Garten. (On Easter Sunday, the children hunt for Easter eggs in the garden.)

• Der Osterhase bringt Schokolade und bunte Eier. (The Easter Bunny brings chocolate and colorful eggs.)

2. Easter Greetings in German

When celebrating Easter with German-speaking friends or colleagues, here are common Easter greetings:

English	German
Happy Easter!	Frohe Ostern!
I wish you a happy Easter!	Ich wünsche dir frohe Ostern!
Blessed Easter!	Gesegnete Ostern!
Happy Easter holidays!	Schöne Osterfeiertage!
Enjoy the Easter weekend!	Genieße das Osterwochenende!

Example Sentences:

• Ich wünsche dir und deiner Familie frohe Ostern! (I wish you and your family a happy Easter!)

• Gesegnete Ostern für alle meine Freunde! (Blessed Easter to all my friends!)

Read our related post on how to say Happy Easter in German.

3. Religious Easter Terminology

Since Easter is a Christian holiday, many German phrases are related to its religious significance:

English	German
Jesus Christ	Jesus Christus
Crucifixion	die Kreuzigung
Resurrection	die Auferstehung
The Last Supper	das letzte Abendmahl
Easter Mass	die Ostermesse
Palm Sunday	der Palmsonntag
Holy Thursday	der Gründonnerstag
Passion of Christ	die Passion Christi
The Bible	die Bibel
Church Service	der Gottesdienst

Example Sentences:

• Die Christen feiern die Auferstehung Jesu am Ostersonntag. (Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.)

• Viele Familien besuchen die Ostermesse in der Kirche. (Many families attend the Easter Mass at church.)

4. Easter Traditions and Customs in Germany

Germany has many unique Easter traditions, and knowing the vocabulary associated with them will help you better understand the cultural significance of the holiday.

English	German
Easter Fire	das Osterfeuer
Egg Hunt	die Ostereiersuche
Easter Parade	die Osterparade
Easter Fountain	der Osterbrunnen
Egg Decorating	das Eierfärben
Easter Candle	die Osterkerze
Easter Feast	das Osterfestmahl
Easter Lamb	das Osterlamm
Easter Cake	der Osterkuchen

Example Sentences:

• In vielen Städten gibt es ein großes Osterfeuer. (In many cities, there is a large Easter fire.)

• Die Kinder freuen sich auf die Ostereiersuche im Garten. (The children look forward to the Easter egg hunt in the garden.)

• In Bayern werden die Brunnen zu Ostern wunderschön geschmückt. (In Bavaria, the fountains are beautifully decorated for Easter.)

5. German Easter Food and Drinks

A big part of Easter celebrations is the special food and drinks enjoyed during this time.

English	German
Easter Bread	das Osterbrot
Easter Ham	der Osterschinken
Easter Lamb Cake	der Osterlammkuchen
Easter Egg Liqueur	der Eierlikör
Chocolate Bunny	der Schokoladenhase
Colored Eggs	die gefärbten Eier
Carrot Cake	der Karottenkuchen
Easter Brunch	der Osterbrunch

Example Sentences:

• Zum Osterfrühstück gibt es Osterbrot und gefärbte Eier. (For Easter breakfast, there is Easter bread and colored eggs.)

• Kinder lieben Schokoladenhasen zu Ostern. (Children love chocolate bunnies at Easter.)

• Osterlammkuchen ist ein traditionelles Gebäck in Deutschland. (Easter lamb cake is a traditional pastry in Germany.)

6. Fun Easter Activities in German-Speaking Countries

Many German-speaking regions have fun Easter traditions and activities. Here are some common terms:

English	German
Easter Market	der Ostermarkt
Easter Walk	der Osterspaziergang
Easter Games	die Osterspiele
Egg Rolling	das Eierrollen
Egg Tapping	das Eierklopfen
Easter Bunny Costume	das Osterhasenkostüm
Decorating Easter Trees	das Schmücken von Osterbäumen

Example Sentences:

• Auf dem Ostermarkt kann man handbemalte Ostereier kaufen. (At the Easter market, you can buy hand-painted Easter eggs.)

• Eierrollen ist ein beliebtes Osterspiel für Kinder. (Egg rolling is a popular Easter game for children.)

• Viele Familien machen einen Osterspaziergang in der Natur. (Many families take an Easter walk in nature.)

7. Conclusion

Easter in German-speaking countries is full of rich traditions, festive activities, and delicious foods. Whether you are celebrating with family, travelling in Germany, or improving your German language skills, knowing these Easter-related words and phrases will help you connect with the culture and traditions.

💡 Tip: Try using these phrases in your Easter cards, greetings, or conversations to make your Easter celebration even more special!

Frohe Ostern! (Happy Easter!) 🐣🥚🐰