Learn Dutch: Sinterklaas

This Learn Dutch episode is dedicated to the biggest children's party of the year in the Netherlands: Sinterklaas. Joyce Diebels from Dutch with Joyce discusses useful words and sentences so you can celebrate pakjesavond.

OUDESCHILD - Sinterklaas arrives at the harbor by steamboat. Over 40 years ago, Sinterklaas last set foot on a Wadden Island. He arrived on Terschelling in 1984. Source: SIPA USA / ANP/Sander Koning/ANP/Sipa USA/AAP IMAGE

Words and sentences about Sinterklaas:

English	Dutch
Saint Nicolas	Sinterklaas / de Sint / Sint Nicolaas
the evening when Sinterklaas brings his presents (like Christmas even), traditionally on 5 December.	Sinterklaasavond OF pakjesavond
the names of the helpers of Sinterklaas	Pieten
steam boat	(de) stoomboot
shoe	schoen
fire place	openhaard
"putting your shoe" in front of the fire place or door	schoenzetten
songs you sing for / to Sinterklaas	Sinterklaasliedjes
small round spiced biscuits you only eat around Sinterklaas	kruidnoten OF pepernoten
chocolate letter	chocolade letter
Sinterklaas parade	Sinterklaas optocht
I get a chocolate letter from Sinterklaas.	Ik krijg een chocolade letter van Sinterklaas
traditional way to say goodbye to Sinterklaas	Dag Sinterklaasje

Would you like to watch Het Sinterklaasjournaal? Click here.

Do you want to get ready for the Sinterklaas celebrations? You can practise some well-known Sinterklaas songs here.