Happy Halloween in German: 40 Ultimate Spooky Expressions + Real Conversation

Halloween isn’t a traditional German holiday, but it’s been gaining popularity in German-speaking countries since the 1990s.

Picture this: kids dressed as witches and vampires, running around neighborhoods shouting “SĆ¼ĆŸes oder Saures!” (sweet or sour) ā€“ that’s their version of “trick or treat.”

In big cities like Berlin or Vienna, you’ll find Halloween parties popping up in clubs and bars. Feli from Germany made a lovely little video where she compared the traditions of Halloween in Germany vs USA:

Here’s the thing: although saying happy Halloween in German is a thing, this holiday is a bit of a mash-up in German-speaking countries. If you’re curious how people celebrate it, read on!

1. What is the German version of Halloween?

Halloween has got its elements of the American-style celebration, mixed with some older European traditions.

Let’s take Austria for an example: some people still follow the custom of leaving bread, water, and a lighted lamp on the table before going to bed on Halloween night. They believe it welcomes the dead souls back to earth for a visit.

In parts of Germany, especially in Catholic regions, people celebrate Allerheiligen (All Saints’ Day) on November 1st. This day has a more solemn vibe. People visit graves and remember loved ones who’ve passed away.

It’s not uncommon to see candles flickering in cemeteries on this night.

You probably won’t find pumpkin patches or hayrides everywhere, but Halloween in German-speaking countries still exists – only with its own customs and German traditions.

happy halloween in german carved pumpkin in window

Halloween itself is celebrated on October 31st, just like in other parts of the world. But here’s where it gets interesting ā€“ the festivities often spill over into the first days of November.

Why?

Well, it’s all tied up with some other important dates on the German calendar.

In some areas, like in southern Germany and Austria, November 2nd is Allerseelen (All Souls’ Day) is another important holiday.. This day is more about remembering the dead, so it’s not exactly party central, but it’s part of this whole seasonal vibe.

Basically, you can find Halloween-themed parties all from the start of October until the middle of November.

2. Happy Halloween in German (Frohes Halloween)

Effortless Answers

If you want to say Happy Halloween in German, you’d say: Frohes Halloween!

Let’s break it down:

Frohes” means “happy” or “merry.” It’s the same word you’d use in “Frohes Neues Jahr” (Happy New Year in German).

“Halloween” stays the same as in English. Germans have adopted the word without changing it.

happy halloween in german illustration

Some people might also say “Schƶnes Halloween,” which means “Nice Halloween” or “Beautiful Halloween.” It’s used in the same way as “Frohes Halloween.”

If you want to sound extra German, you could throw in a hearty “Alaaf!” at the end. It’s not specifically a Halloween thing ā€“ it’s actually a carnival greeting from Cologne ā€“ but it’s become a general party cheer in some parts of Germany.

So, next time you’re at a German Halloween party, raise your glass (or your candy bag) and shout “Frohes Halloween!” Or, alternatively, you can use these common German expressions from the table:

GermanEnglish
Frohes Halloween!
Happy Halloween!
Schƶnes Halloween!
Nice Halloween!
Frƶhliches Halloween!
Joyful Halloween!
Gruseliges Halloween!
Spooky Halloween!
Schauriges Halloween!
Eerie Halloween!
Gespenstisches Halloween!
Ghostly Halloween!
Ein schƶnes Halloween-Fest!
A nice Halloween celebration!
Viel SpaƟ an Halloween!
Have fun on Halloween!
GenieƟt Halloween!
Enjoy Halloween!
Habt ein tolles Halloween!
Have a great Halloween!

Saying happy Halloween in German is just one thing! But if you want to engage in true German conversations, there are other ways to do it.

happy halloween in german comic style illustration

We made an expanded table with popular Halloween expressions, or as we like to call them – chunks. What are chunks?

Just read on, and we’ll explain everything!

GermanEnglish
SĆ¼ĆŸes oder Saures!
Trick or treat!
Ich gehe als … zum Halloween-Fest
I’m going to the Halloween party as …
Hast du schon dein KostĆ¼m?
Do you have your costume yet?
Lass uns KĆ¼rbisse schnitzen
Let’s carve pumpkins
Das Haus ist gruselig dekoriert
The house is decorated spookily
Wir gehen von Haus zu Haus
We’re going from house to house
Gib mir mehr SĆ¼ĆŸigkeiten!
Give me more candy!
Die Party fƤngt um Mitternacht an
The party starts at midnight
Ich habe Angst vor Geistern
I’m afraid of ghosts
Lasst uns einen Horrorfilm schauen
Let’s watch a horror movie
Wer hat das gruseligste KostĆ¼m?
Who has the scariest costume?
Vorsicht vor dem Spukhaus!
Beware of the haunted house!
Die Hexe hat mich verflucht
The witch cursed me
Ich habe eine Gruselgeschichte
I have a scary story
Das ist mein selbstgemachtes KostĆ¼m
This is my homemade costume
Willkommen in unserem Geisterhaus
Welcome to our haunted house
Die Zombies kommen!
The zombies are coming!
Ich brauche noch Kunstblut
I still need fake blood
Wo ist mein Hexenbesen?
Where’s my witch’s broom?
Das war ein gruseliger Streich
That was a spooky prank
Lass uns FledermƤuse basteln
Let’s make paper bats
Wer will KĆ¼rbissuppe?
Who wants pumpkin soup?
Die Spinnennetze sehen echt aus
The cobwebs look real
Ich habe mich zu Tode erschreckt
I was scared to death
Lasst uns Geister jagen
Let’s go ghost hunting
Mein KostĆ¼m ist noch nicht fertig
My costume isn’t ready yet
Die Friedhofstour beginnt um 22 Uhr
The cemetery tour starts at 10 PM
Wer mƶchte eine gruselige Geschichte hƶren?
Who wants to hear a scary story?
Ich liebe den Geruch von KĆ¼rbiskerzen
I love the smell of pumpkin candles
Lass uns ein gruseliges Selfie machen
Let’s take a spooky selfie

Let’s say you want to talk about the witches, the pumpkins and all the costumes of Halloween. Can you do that already?

happy halloween in german streets

Don’t worry, we came up with a short scenario where you would use these expressions. Take a look at how these work in context:

Anna: Hast du schon dein KostĆ¼m fĆ¼r die Halloween-Party? (Do you have your costume for the Halloween party yet?)
Max: Ja, ich gehe als Zombie zum Halloween-Fest. Und du? (Yes, I’m going to the Halloween party as a zombie. And you?)
Anna: Ich auch! Ich brauche noch Kunstblut fĆ¼r mein KostĆ¼m. (Me too! I still need fake blood for my costume.)
Max: Cool! Lass uns zusammen KĆ¼rbisse schnitzen, bevor wir gehen. (Cool! Let’s carve pumpkins together before we go.)

This already sound like a good idea! Who wouldn’t want nicely carved pumpkins as decoration? What about a scary story?! Here’s how this conversation continues:

Anna: Gute Idee! Oh, und ich habe eine Gruselgeschichte fĆ¼r die Party vorbereitet. (Good idea! Oh, and I’ve prepared a scary story for the party.)
Max: Super! Die Party fƤngt um Mitternacht an, oder? (Great! The party starts at midnight, right?)
Anna: Genau. Und danach kƶnnen wir von Haus zu Haus gehen und “SĆ¼ĆŸes oder Saures” rufen! (Exactly. And afterwards, we can go from house to house and shout “Trick or treat!”)
Max: Perfekt! Ich hoffe, wir bekommen viele SĆ¼ĆŸigkeiten. Frohes Halloween! (Perfect! I hope we get lots of candy. Happy Halloween!)
Anna: Frohes Halloween! Lass uns ein gruseliges Selfie machen, bevor wir gehen. (Happy Halloween! Let’s take a spooky selfie before we go.)

4. Practice worksheet for Halloween in Germany

Time to get in the Halloween-mood with some practice!

This was just a sneak peek – if you’re looking for more, click the button below:

5. KĆ¼rbis, spielen, trick or treat, costumes, festival – learn everything with Conversation Based Chunking

Now you know how to say happy Halloween in German + you also know how people in German-speaking countries celebrate this global holiday.

Shout “SĆ¼ĆŸes oder Saures!” as you go trick-or-treating or tell your friends “Lasst uns KĆ¼rbisse schnitzen” – you will not only learn words – you’re also picking up true German chunks that are part of everyday German expressions.

If you truly want to sound like a native, it’s time to learn more about Conversation Based Chunking. It’s a method that really shines in this aspect. What’s all this fuss about?

So, instead of memorizing dry grammar rule, you’re learning whole phrases (chunks) that Germans actually use.

It’s a bit like grabbing ready-made building blocks of language. Next thing you know, you’re stringing these chunks together to have real conversations about pumpkins, costumes, and even haunted houses.

The best part?

These chunks aren’t just for Halloween. Many of these phrases can be tweaked for other situations. “Hast du schon dein KostĆ¼m?” could easily become “Hast du schon dein Geschenk?” (Do you have your gift yet?) for birthdays or Christmas. You’re not just learning Halloween vocab ā€“ you’re building a foundation for fluent German conversation.

If you sign up now, you’ll get your first FREE German Conversation Based Chunking Guide: in it, you’ll find other resources to learn German, an essential German chunking list and even have access to our Full Practice Worksheet Library!

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