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
Connect it to the Christmas tradition of 'Wichteln' (Secret Santa), where little helpers (Wichtel) give gifts in secret.