Swedish word of the day: uppesittarkväll
Here's the next word in The Local's Christmas-themed word of the day series, running from December 1st to Christmas Eve.
Did you know that the Swedes have a special name for the night before the night before Christmas?
In fact, make that three names. But we'll start with uppesittarkväll.
Uppesittarkväll can be translated as "sitting-up evening" which captures the sense of anticipation ahead of the big event. This is because Swedes have their main Christmas celebration on December 24th, Christmas Eve in English or julafton. So the day before, the 23rd, youngsters might be unable to sleep, while adults are usually busy with the preparations of food and decorations.
Uppesittarkväll is also the name given to a range of special TV and radio programmes on the 23rd, which are shown on several channels and serve as background entertainment to the festive preparations.
Watching these is a good initiation to Swedish Christmas traditions: guests discuss tips for a perfect celebration, and often write rhyming verses for gift tags (an old Swedish custom – the rhyme should give a clue as to the present inside) alongside musical performances and competitions.
You can use uppesittarkväll to refer to these shows, or to the evening in general, whether you're spending it alone or with family.
As for the other two names for December 23rd, in the southern region of Skåne, it is known as lillejulafton ("little Christmas Eve").
Elsewhere and especially among the older generations, you'll hear the 23rd called dan före dopparedan, which means "the day before dipping day".
Dopparedan or "dipping day" is an alternative name for Christmas Eve thanks to an old custom of eating dopp i grytan ("dunk in stew" referring to flatbread or rye bread dunked in a meaty broth) as part of the festive evening meal. But neither of these truly captures the magic and excitement in the same way as uppesittarkväll.
Examples
Ska vi titta på uppesittarkväll på tv?
Shall we watch the December 23rd show on TV?
Hon har bjudit in hennes vänner till en uppesittarkväll
She has invited her friends round on the evening of December 23rd
Need a good Christmas gift idea?
Villa, Volvo, Vovve: The Local’s Word Guide to Swedish Life, written by The Local’s journalists, is now available to order. Head to lysforlag.com/vvv to read more about it – or join The Local as a member and get your copy for free.
It is also possible to buy your copy from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Bokus or Adlibris.
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Did you know that the Swedes have a special name for the night before the night before Christmas?
In fact, make that three names. But we'll start with uppesittarkväll.
Uppesittarkväll can be translated as "sitting-up evening" which captures the sense of anticipation ahead of the big event. This is because Swedes have their main Christmas celebration on December 24th, Christmas Eve in English or julafton. So the day before, the 23rd, youngsters might be unable to sleep, while adults are usually busy with the preparations of food and decorations.
Uppesittarkväll is also the name given to a range of special TV and radio programmes on the 23rd, which are shown on several channels and serve as background entertainment to the festive preparations.
Watching these is a good initiation to Swedish Christmas traditions: guests discuss tips for a perfect celebration, and often write rhyming verses for gift tags (an old Swedish custom – the rhyme should give a clue as to the present inside) alongside musical performances and competitions.
You can use uppesittarkväll to refer to these shows, or to the evening in general, whether you're spending it alone or with family.
As for the other two names for December 23rd, in the southern region of Skåne, it is known as lillejulafton ("little Christmas Eve").
Elsewhere and especially among the older generations, you'll hear the 23rd called dan före dopparedan, which means "the day before dipping day".
Dopparedan or "dipping day" is an alternative name for Christmas Eve thanks to an old custom of eating dopp i grytan ("dunk in stew" referring to flatbread or rye bread dunked in a meaty broth) as part of the festive evening meal. But neither of these truly captures the magic and excitement in the same way as uppesittarkväll.
Examples
Ska vi titta på uppesittarkväll på tv?
Shall we watch the December 23rd show on TV?
Hon har bjudit in hennes vänner till en uppesittarkväll
She has invited her friends round on the evening of December 23rd
Need a good Christmas gift idea?
Villa, Volvo, Vovve: The Local’s Word Guide to Swedish Life, written by The Local’s journalists, is now available to order. Head to lysforlag.com/vvv to read more about it – or join The Local as a member and get your copy for free.
It is also possible to buy your copy from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Bokus or Adlibris.
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