der Wichtel
Translation
gnome, imp, elf, brownie
Examples
Ein kleiner Wichtel lebt im Wald.
A little gnome lives in the forest.
Beim Wichteln zieht jeder einen Namen.
In Secret Santa, everyone draws a name.
Grammar Patterns
((der Wichtel)) gnome, imp A little gnome helped the shoemaker.
((das Wichteln)) Secret Santa We're doing Secret Santa at school.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Kobold, Zwerg, Heinzelmännchen; Antonyms: Riese (giant)
Etymology
From Middle High German 'wichtel', a diminutive of 'wicht' (creature, being). Related to the English word 'wight'.
Memory Tips
Think of the Christmas activity 'Wichteln' (Secret Santa), where little helpers (Wichtel) secretly give gifts.