๐ Christmas
In this lesson you will learn useful everyday English vocabulary and expressions for talking about Christmas, gifts, Christmas trees, decorations, carols, family meals, and holiday traditions. Each English word or phrase includes a simple meaning plus translations in several languages.
๐ข Basic Christmas Vocabulary
a holiday on December 25 with gifts and family
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Navidad๐ซ๐ท French: Noรซl
๐ฉ๐ช German: Weihnachten
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Natale
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Natal
the Christmas character who brings presents
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Papรก Noel / Santa Claus๐ซ๐ท French: Pรจre Noรซl
๐ฉ๐ช German: Weihnachtsmann
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Babbo Natale
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Papai Noel
something you give to another person
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Regalo๐ซ๐ท French: Cadeau
๐ฉ๐ช German: Geschenk
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Regalo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Presente
a tree decorated for the holiday
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: รrbol de Navidad๐ซ๐ท French: Sapin de Noรซl
๐ฉ๐ช German: Weihnachtsbaum
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Albero di Natale
๐ต๐น Portuguese: รrvore de Natal
a decoration often placed on top of the tree
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Estrella๐ซ๐ท French: รtoile
๐ฉ๐ช German: Stern
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Stella
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Estrela
the people you are related to
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๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Familia๐ซ๐ท French: Famille
๐ฉ๐ช German: Familie
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Famiglia
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Famรญlia
๐ก Christmas Decorations & Symbols
small lights used to decorate trees and houses
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Luces de Navidad๐ซ๐ท French: Guirlandes lumineuses
๐ฉ๐ช German: Weihnachtsbeleuchtung
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Luci di Natale
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Luzes de Natal
an object used to make a place look festive
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Decoraciรณn๐ซ๐ท French: Dรฉcoration
๐ฉ๐ช German: Dekoration
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Decorazione
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Decoraรงรฃo
a large sock hung up for small gifts
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๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Calcetรญn de Navidad๐ซ๐ท French: Chaussette de Noรซl
๐ฉ๐ช German: Weihnachtsstrumpf
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Calza di Natale
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Meia de Natal
a strip of cloth used to wrap gifts
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๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Cinta๐ซ๐ท French: Ruban
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schleife
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Nastro
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Fita
a circle of greenery hung on a door
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Corona navideรฑa๐ซ๐ท French: Couronne de Noรซl
๐ฉ๐ช German: Adventskranz
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ghirlanda natalizia
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Guirlanda de Natal
an animal said to pull Santa's sleigh
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Reno๐ซ๐ท French: Renne
๐ฉ๐ช German: Rentier
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Renna
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Rena
๐ Christmas Activities
to put lights and ornaments on the tree
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Decorar el รกrbol de Navidad๐ซ๐ท French: Dรฉcorer le sapin de Noรซl
๐ฉ๐ช German: Den Weihnachtsbaum schmรผcken
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Decorare l'albero di Natale
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Decorar a รกrvore de Natal
to cover gifts with paper
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Envolver regalos๐ซ๐ท French: Emballer les cadeaux
๐ฉ๐ช German: Geschenke einpacken
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Incartare i regali
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Embrulhar presentes
to sing traditional holiday songs
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Cantar villancicos๐ซ๐ท French: Chanter des chants de Noรซl
๐ฉ๐ช German: Weihnachtslieder singen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cantare canti di Natale
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Cantar canรงรตes de Natal
to unwrap gifts
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Abrir regalos๐ซ๐ท French: Ouvrir les cadeaux
๐ฉ๐ช German: Geschenke รถffnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Aprire i regali
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Abrir presentes
to share a special holiday meal
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Cenar en Navidad๐ซ๐ท French: Prendre le repas de Noรซl
๐ฉ๐ช German: Weihnachtsessen genieรen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fare la cena di Natale
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Jantar de Natal
to be together with relatives
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pasar tiempo con la familia๐ซ๐ท French: Passer du temps en famille
๐ฉ๐ช German: Zeit mit der Familie verbringen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Trascorrere del tempo con la famiglia
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Passar tempo com a famรญlia
๐ฌ Common Christmas Phrases
the most common Christmas greeting
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: ยกFeliz Navidad!๐ซ๐ท French: Joyeux Noรซl !
๐ฉ๐ช German: Frohe Weihnachten!
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Buon Natale!
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feliz Natal!
we gave presents to each other
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Intercambiamos regalos.๐ซ๐ท French: Nous avons รฉchangรฉ des cadeaux.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wir haben Geschenke ausgetauscht.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ci siamo scambiati i regali.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Trocamos presentes.
the decorated tree is lovely
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: El รกrbol de Navidad se ve hermoso.๐ซ๐ท French: Le sapin de Noรซl est magnifique.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Der Weihnachtsbaum sieht wunderschรถn aus.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: L'albero di Natale รจ bellissimo.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: A รกrvore de Natal estรก linda.
we will share the holiday meal
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Vamos a cenar juntos en Navidad.๐ซ๐ท French: Nous prenons le repas de Noรซl ensemble.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wir essen gemeinsam zu Weihnachten.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ceniamo insieme a Natale.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Vamos jantar juntos no Natal.
an invitation to sing holiday songs
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Cantemos villancicos.๐ซ๐ท French: Chantons des chants de Noรซl.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Lasst uns Weihnachtslieder singen.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cantiamo i canti di Natale.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Vamos cantar canรงรตes de Natal.
being with others feels special
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Es maravilloso estar juntos.๐ซ๐ท French: C'est merveilleux d'รชtre ensemble.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Es ist schรถn, zusammen zu sein.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: ร meraviglioso stare insieme.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: ร maravilhoso estarmos juntos.
๐บ๐ธ๐ฌ๐ง Christmas in American & British English
two names for the same Christmas character
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Both names refer to the same Christmas character. Santa Claus is more common in American English, while Father Christmas is traditionally used in British English. Today, many people in the UK also say Santa.two words for the same festive sweets
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American English usually uses the word cookies, while British English usually says biscuits. During Christmas, both countries enjoy many festive sweets.both words mean something you give
Show translations
Both present and gift are correct in American and British English. Present is heard a little more often during Christmas, but both are very common.the special meal families share on the holiday
Show translations
Christmas meals vary from country to country. In the United States many families enjoy roast turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin or pecan pie. In the United Kingdom, roast turkey, roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, pigs in blankets, Christmas pudding, and mince pies are traditional favorites.๐ Cultural Note
Christmas is celebrated on December 25 in many countries around the world. For many people it is both a religious holiday and a cultural celebration centered on family, generosity, and spending time together.
Many families decorate Christmas trees, exchange gifts, sing Christmas carols, watch holiday movies, and enjoy a special meal together. Children often believe that Santa Claus (or Father Christmas) brings presents during the night.
Christmas traditions vary from country to country and from family to family. Some people attend church services, while others simply enjoy the holiday with family and friends.
โ Useful Christmas Questions
asking what someone does for the holiday
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: ยฟCรณmo celebras la Navidad?๐ซ๐ท French: Comment fรชtes-tu Noรซl ?
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wie feierst du Weihnachten?
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Come festeggi il Natale?
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Como vocรช celebra o Natal?
asking which presents someone received
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: ยฟQuรฉ recibiste para Navidad?๐ซ๐ท French: Qu'as-tu reรงu pour Noรซl ?
๐ฉ๐ช German: Was hast du zu Weihnachten bekommen?
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cosa hai ricevuto per Natale?
๐ต๐น Portuguese: O que vocรช ganhou no Natal?
asking who prepares the holiday meal
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: ยฟQuiรฉn prepara la cena de Navidad?๐ซ๐ท French: Qui prรฉpare le repas de Noรซl ?
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wer kocht das Weihnachtsessen?
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Chi prepara la cena di Natale?
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Quem estรก preparando o jantar de Natal?
asking if someone sings holiday songs
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: ยฟCantan villancicos?๐ซ๐ท French: Chantez-vous des chants de Noรซl ?
๐ฉ๐ช German: Singt ihr Weihnachtslieder?
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cantate canti di Natale?
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Vocรชs cantam canรงรตes de Natal?
๐ฌ Everyday Conversation
greeting someone and talking about presents
A: Merry Christmas!
B: Merry Christmas! Did Santa bring you lots of presents?
A: Yes! Now we're going to open them together.
B: Have a wonderful Christmas!
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ A: ยกFeliz Navidad!๐ช๐ธ B: ยกFeliz Navidad! ยฟSanta te trajo muchos regalos?
๐ช๐ธ A: ยกSรญ! Ahora vamos a abrirlos juntos.
๐ช๐ธ B: ยกQue tengas una maravillosa Navidad!
๐ซ๐ท A: Joyeux Noรซl !
๐ซ๐ท B: Joyeux Noรซl ! Le Pรจre Noรซl t'a-t-il apportรฉ beaucoup de cadeaux ?
๐ซ๐ท A: Oui ! Maintenant nous allons les ouvrir ensemble.
๐ซ๐ท B: Passe un merveilleux Noรซl !
๐ฉ๐ช A: Frohe Weihnachten!
๐ฉ๐ช B: Frohe Weihnachten! Hat der Weihnachtsmann dir viele Geschenke gebracht?
๐ฉ๐ช A: Ja! Jetzt packen wir sie zusammen aus.
๐ฉ๐ช B: Schรถne Weihnachten!
๐ฎ๐น A: Buon Natale!
๐ฎ๐น B: Buon Natale! Babbo Natale ti ha portato tanti regali?
๐ฎ๐น A: Sรฌ! Ora li apriamo insieme.
๐ฎ๐น B: Buon Natale!
๐ต๐น A: Feliz Natal!
๐ต๐น B: Feliz Natal! O Papai Noel trouxe muitos presentes?
๐ต๐น A: Sim! Agora vamos abri-los juntos.
๐ต๐น B: Tenha um Natal maravilhoso!
asking who cooks and what will be served
A: Who's cooking Christmas dinner this year?
B: My parents are cooking, and I'm helping.
A: What are you having?
B: We're having roast turkey, vegetables, and Christmas pudding.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ A: ยฟQuiรฉn prepara la cena de Navidad este aรฑo?๐ช๐ธ B: Mis padres cocinan y yo ayudo.
๐ช๐ธ A: ยฟQuรฉ van a comer?
๐ช๐ธ B: Vamos a comer pavo asado, verduras y pudรญn de Navidad.
๐ซ๐ท A: Qui prรฉpare le repas de Noรซl cette annรฉe ?
๐ซ๐ท B: Mes parents cuisinent et j'aide.
๐ซ๐ท A: Qu'est-ce que vous mangez ?
๐ซ๐ท B: Nous avons de la dinde rรดtie, des lรฉgumes et du pudding de Noรซl.
๐ฉ๐ช A: Wer kocht dieses Jahr das Weihnachtsessen?
๐ฉ๐ช B: Meine Eltern kochen, und ich helfe.
๐ฉ๐ช A: Was gibt es zu essen?
๐ฉ๐ช B: Es gibt Truthahnbraten, Gemรผse und Weihnachtspudding.
๐ฎ๐น A: Chi prepara la cena di Natale quest'anno?
๐ฎ๐น B: Cucinano i miei genitori e io aiuto.
๐ฎ๐น A: Cosa mangerete?
๐ฎ๐น B: Avremo tacchino arrosto, verdure e pudding di Natale.
๐ต๐น A: Quem estรก preparando o jantar de Natal este ano?
๐ต๐น B: Meus pais cozinham e eu ajudo.
๐ต๐น A: O que vocรชs vรฃo comer?
๐ต๐น B: Vamos comer peru assado, legumes e pudim de Natal.
๐ Example Sentences
we put ornaments on the tree as a group
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Decoramos el รกrbol de Navidad juntos.๐ซ๐ท French: Nous avons dรฉcorรฉ le sapin de Noรซl ensemble.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wir haben gemeinsam den Weihnachtsbaum geschmรผckt.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Abbiamo decorato insieme l'albero di Natale.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Decoramos juntos a รกrvore de Natal.
the kids unwrapped gifts at the start of the day
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Los niรฑos abrieron sus regalos temprano por la maรฑana.๐ซ๐ท French: Les enfants ont ouvert leurs cadeaux tรดt le matin.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Die Kinder haben frรผh morgens ihre Geschenke geรถffnet.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: I bambini hanno aperto i loro regali presto al mattino.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: As crianรงas abriram seus presentes cedo pela manhรฃ.
the Christmas character comes while people sleep
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Papรก Noel visita durante la noche.๐ซ๐ท French: Le Pรจre Noรซl passe pendant la nuit.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Der Weihnachtsmann kommt in der Nacht.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Babbo Natale arriva durante la notte.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Papai Noel visita durante a noite.
the group liked singing holiday songs
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Todos disfrutaron cantando villancicos.๐ซ๐ท French: Tout le monde a aimรฉ chanter des chants de Noรซl.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Alle hatten Freude daran, Weihnachtslieder zu singen.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Tutti si sono divertiti a cantare i canti di Natale.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Todos gostaram de cantar canรงรตes de Natal.
the holiday meal tasted very good
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Tuvimos una deliciosa cena de Navidad.๐ซ๐ท French: Nous avons eu un dรฉlicieux repas de Noรซl.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wir hatten ein kรถstliches Weihnachtsessen.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Abbiamo fatto una deliziosa cena di Natale.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Tivemos um delicioso jantar de Natal.
the holiday is for being with relatives
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: La Navidad es un momento especial para estar con la familia.๐ซ๐ท French: Noรซl est un moment spรฉcial ร passer en famille.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Weihnachten ist eine besondere Zeit mit der Familie.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Il Natale รจ un momento speciale da trascorrere con la famiglia.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: O Natal รฉ um momento especial para estar com a famรญlia.
๐ Final Practice
Read the situation. Choose the word that fits.
