Sinterklaas

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.

Equivalents

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