Breakdown of Zu Weihnachten gibt es Geschenke.
das Geschenk
the gift
es gibt
there is / there are
das Weihnachten
Christmas
Questions & Answers about Zu Weihnachten gibt es Geschenke.
Why is it "gibt es" instead of "es gibt"?
In German, the main verb must be the second idea in a standard sentence. Because this sentence starts with the time phrase Zu Weihnachten, the verb gibt takes the second spot, and the subject es moves to the third spot right after it.
"Geschenke" is plural (presents), so why does the sentence use "gibt" instead of a plural verb?
Why do we use "Zu" for "At Christmas"?
German often uses the preposition zu for major holidays to mean "at" or "for" the occasion, like zu Weihnachten or zu Ostern (at Easter). You might also hear an Weihnachten in some regions, but zu is very standard.
Does "Weihnachten" have a "the" (article) here?
No, holiday names like Weihnachten are almost always used without an article in German, just like in English. We simply say zu Weihnachten, not zu dem Weihnachten.
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