Meaning of Sinterklaas | Babel Free

Definitions

Saint Nicholas in a folkloric incarnation, who (in the Low Countries and other parts of Europe) gives presents to children on December 5 or 6.

Examples

“Freddie filled his plate with white and chocolate Christmas trees, Sinterklaases, and dogcarts.”

“To many Dutch people, the Anglo-American Santa is a pale imitation of the authentic Sinterklaas.”

“The Dutch Black Petes are more fun, and thus more popular, than the staid saint they serve, and in the festive weeks before Sinterklaas returns to Spain (that’s where he lives, according to tradition) they show up everywhere, from schools to shops to company parties.”

“Black Pete and Sinterklaas also conspire to form a punitive team. In the traditional holiday songs, Sinterklaas brings gifts for good boys and girls; naughty children get a spanking with Black Pete’s bundle of twigs.”

CEFR level