One of the most recognisable symbols of the festive season, the tradition of decorating Christmas trees is said to have been started by German speakers in the 16th century. This being said, some argue the practice is much older and began in the medieval Baltic!
Whatever its origins, Christmas trees are a common sight throughout Europe and beyond during December. So have yourself a Merry Christmas and learn the name of this Christmas icon in the 50 languages of Europe in a Day!
Curiously, not all cultures and languages call them Christmas trees. While some put up their trees for Santa Claus to leave gifts under, others decorate them to celebrate the coming New Year – this is also reflected in the names! Take a look and see!
- Albanian – Pema e Vitit të Ri*
- Arabic – شجرة عيد الميلاد (Shajarat eid almilad)
- Armenian – տոնածառ (Tonatsarr)
- Azerbaijani – Yeni il ağacı*
- Basque – Eguberrietako zuhaitz
- Belarusian – Ёлка (Yolka)
- Bulgarian – Коледна елха (Koledna elkha)
- Catalan – Arbre de Nadal
- Croatian – Božićno drvce
- Czech – Vánoční stromek
- Danish – Juletræ
- Dutch – Kerstboom
- Estonian – Jõulukuusk
- Faroese – Jólatræ
- Finnish – Joulukuusi
- French – Sapin de Noël
- Georgian – საშობაო ნაძვის ხე (Sashobao nadzvis khe)
- German – Weihnachtsbaum
- Greek – Χριστουγεννιάτικο δέντρο (Khristougenniátiko déntro)
- Greenlandic – Orpiliaq
- Hungarian – Karácsonyfa
- Icelandic – Jólatré
- Irish Gaelic – Crann Nollag
- Italian – Albero di Natale
- Jèrriais – Arbre d’Noué
- Latin – Arbor natalicia
- Latvian – Ziemassvētku egle
- Lithuanian – Kalėdų eglutė
- Low German – Dannenboom
- Luxembourgish – Chrëschtbeemchen
- Macedonian – Новогодишна елка (Novogodišna elka)*
- Maltese – Siġra tal-Milied
- Manx – Billey Nollick
- Monégasque – Arburu nataliçiu
- Northern Sami – Juovlamuorra
- Norwegian – Juletre
- Polish – Choinka
- Portuguese – Árvore de Natal
- Romanian – Pom de Crăciun
- Russian – Рождественская ёлка (Rozhdestvenskaya yolka)
- Scots Gaelic – Craobh Nollaige
- Serbian – Новогодишње дрво (Novogodišnje drvo)*
- Slovak – Vianočný stromček
- Slovene – Božično drevo
- Spanish – Árbol de Navidad
- Swedish – Julgran
- Swiss German – Wiehnachtsbaum
- Turkish – Noel ağacı
- Ukrainian – Різдвяна ялинка (Rizdvyana yalinka)
- Welsh – Coeden Nadolig
- Albanian – Pema e Vitit të Ri is a ‘New Year Tree’
- Azerbaijani – Yeni il ağacı is a ‘New Year Tree’
- Macedonian – Новогодишна елка (Novogodišna elka) is a ‘New Year Tree’
- Serbian – Новогодишње дрво (Novogodišnje drvo) is a ‘New Year Tree’
Author: James Scanlan
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