Halloween Vocabulary in German

If Halloween makes you think of costumes, candy, and slightly ridiculous fake cobwebs, good news: German has plenty of useful words for all of that. The holiday is not as big in every German-speaking region as it is in the US, but people still understand it, especially in cities, shops, schools, and online. And yes, the pumpkin has a respectable German life too.

In this guide, you’ll learn practical Halloween vocabulary in German, plus real phrases you can actually use. By the end, you’ll be able to talk about costumes, trick-or-treating, spooky decorations, and Halloween plans without sounding like you just copied a haunted dictionary.

For a useful comparison of seasonal vocabulary, you can also check the Christmas vocabulary in German guide later, because apparently German learning enjoys one holiday at a time and then demands more.

Table of Contents

Halloween Basics In German

Here are the core words you’ll see again and again. These are the building blocks for most Halloween conversations.

German	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Halloween	HAL-oh-ween	Halloween	Wir feiern Halloween mit Freunden.	We celebrate Halloween with friends.	Same word as English. Easy win for once.
die Kürbislaterne	KUER-bis-la-TER-neh	pumpkin lantern / jack-o’-lantern	Die Kürbislaterne steht vor der Tür.	The jack-o’-lantern is standing in front of the door.	Literal word, very useful. die because nouns are fussy in German.
der Kürbis	KUER-bis	pumpkin / squash	Ich kaufe einen Kürbis für Halloween.	I’m buying a pumpkin for Halloween.	Plural: die Kürbisse.
die Verkleidung	fer-KLY-doong	costume, disguise	Deine Verkleidung ist echt gruselig.	Your costume is really spooky.	Also used for “disguise.”
das Kostüm	kos-TUEM	costume	Mein Kostüm ist heute ein Vampir.	My costume is a vampire today.	Very common for party costumes. Plural: die Kostüme.
gruselig	GROO-ze-lig	spooky, creepy	Das Haus sieht wirklich gruselig aus.	The house looks really spooky.	Useful all year, not just on Halloween.
die Hexe	HEK-seh	witch	Die Hexe fliegt auf einem Besen.	The witch flies on a broom.	Plural: die Hexen.
das Gespenst	guh-SHPENST	ghost	Im alten Haus gibt es ein Gespenst.	There is a ghost in the old house.	More old-fashioned or story-like than der Geist.
der Geist	gyst	ghost, spirit	Ich glaube nicht an Geister.	I don’t believe in ghosts.	Plural changes vowel: Geister.
der Vampir	vam-PEER	vampire	Der Vampir trägt einen schwarzen Umhang.	The vampire is wearing a black cape.	Easy and common. Plural: die Vampire.
das Monster	MON-ster	monster	Das Monster versteckt sich im Keller.	The monster is hiding in the cellar.	Very similar to English.
die Spinne	SHPIN-neh	spider	Eine Spinne sitzt an der Wand.	A spider is sitting on the wall.	Common in decorations and spooky stories.

Quick pronunciation note: In German, sp at the beginning of a word often sounds like “shp,” so Spinne is not “spin-neh” with a plain English s. German likes to be just a little dramatic.

Useful Halloween Words And Phrases

These are the practical phrases you’ll actually want for parties, decorations, texts, and simple conversation.

German	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Süßes oder Saures	ZOOSS-es o-der ZOW-res	trick-or-treat	Die Kinder rufen: Süßes oder Saures!	The children shout: “Trick or treat!”	Very common Halloween phrase in German-speaking countries.
die Süßigkeiten	ZOOSS-eech-KYT-en	candy, sweets	Wir haben viele Süßigkeiten gekauft.	We bought a lot of candy.	Plural-only in this meaning.
die Bonbons	bon-BONS	candies, sweets	Die Bonbons sind im Korb.	The candies are in the bowl.	Often used for wrapped candies.
die Maske	MASK-eh	mask	Ich trage eine Maske zum Kostüm.	I’m wearing a mask with my costume.	Can be Halloween or medical depending on context. Fun times.
die Party	PAR-tee	party	Heute Abend ist eine Halloween-Party.	There is a Halloween party tonight.	Very common borrowed word.
feiern	FY-ern	to celebrate	Wir feiern Halloween mit Musik.	We celebrate Halloween with music.	Regular verb: ich feiere, du feierst, er/sie feiert.
erschrecken	er-SHREK-en	to scare, to frighten	Das Monster will die Gäste erschrecken.	The monster wants to scare the guests.	Be careful: sich erschrecken means “to get scared.”
schrecklich	SHREK-likh	terrible, horrifying	Das Wetter war schrecklich.	The weather was terrible.	Useful beyond Halloween. Nice dramatic word.
unheimlich	OON-hyme-likh	uncanny, eerie	Im Wald war es unheimlich.	It was eerie in the forest.	Often stronger and more atmospheric than gruselig.
die Geisterbahn	GY-ster-bahn	haunted ride / ghost train	Die Geisterbahn ist sehr beliebt.	The haunted ride is very popular.	Great word for fairs and amusement parks.
die Laterne	la-TER-neh	lantern	Die Laternen leuchten im Dunkeln.	The lanterns shine in the dark.	Plural: Laternen.
die Dekoration	deh-ko-ra-TSYON	decoration	Die Dekoration ist sehr kreativ.	The decoration is very creative.	Often used in plural too: Dekorationen.

If you want one phrase to remember first, make it Süßes oder Saures. It’s the German equivalent of “trick or treat,” and it’s exactly the sort of phrase that makes you sound prepared instead of mildly haunted.

More Halloween Words For Decorations, Weather, And Mood

Halloween language is not just about monsters. A lot of it is about atmosphere: dark streets, candles, costumes, and that cheerful little feeling of “something is watching you.” Excellent for vocabulary, slightly less excellent for sleep.

German	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
die Kerze	KER-tsuh	candle	Auf dem Tisch steht eine Kerze.	There is a candle on the table.	Useful in homes, restaurants, and spooky scenes.
das Licht	likht	light	Mach bitte das Licht an.	Please turn the light on.	Very common everyday noun.
die Dunkelheit	DOON-kel-hyt	darkness	In der Dunkelheit hört man alles besser.	In the darkness, you hear everything better.	Sounds more literary than dark words in English.
dunkel	DOON-kel	dark	Der Keller ist sehr dunkel.	The basement is very dark.	Also used for colors: dunkelblau, dunkelgrün.
der Schatten	SHAT-ten	shadow	Ein Schatten bewegt sich am Fenster.	A shadow is moving at the window.	Plural: Schatten — same form.
das Spukhaus	SHPOOK-house	haunted house	Das Spukhaus ist nur eine Attraktion.	The haunted house is only an attraction.	Compound noun: spuken means to haunt.
spuken	SHPOO-ken	to haunt, to spook	In dem Haus soll es spuken.	They say the house is haunted.	Often used in stories and folklore.
der Besen	BAY-zen	broom	Die Hexe fliegt auf einem Besen.	The witch flies on a broom.	Plural: die Besen.
der Umhang	OOM-hangk	cloak, cape	Der Vampir trägt einen schwarzen Umhang.	The vampire is wearing a black cape.	Very useful for costumes.
die Maske	MASK-eh	mask	Ohne Maske sieht das Kostüm anders aus.	Without the mask, the costume looks different.	Can be protective, decorative, or scary.
furchterregend	FOORH-tuh-er-RAY-gent	frightening, terrifying	Das war eine furchterregende Szene.	That was a terrifying scene.	A bit stronger than gruselig.
blutig	BLOO-tikh	bloody	Die Wunde sieht blutig aus.	The wound looks bloody.	Use carefully; can be graphic.

Pronunciation note: German ch can sound soft or harsh depending on the word. In gruselig, furchterregend, and ich-type words, it’s not a hard English “k.” It’s lighter and more hissy. A tiny sound, big attitude.

Halloween Costumes And Dress-Up Language

Costume talk is especially handy at parties, school events, and social media posts. German often uses das Kostüm, but Verkleidung also works well, especially when you mean “disguise” or “dress-up.”

German	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
sich verkleiden	zikh fer-KLY-den	to dress up, to disguise oneself	Die Kinder verkleiden sich als Monster.	The children dress up as monsters.	Reflexive verb: sich is part of the verb.
als	alss	as	Er geht als Zombie zur Party.	He’s going to the party as a zombie.	Used for roles and costumes: als Hexe, als Vampir.
die Perücke	peh-RUE-keh	wig	Sie trägt eine rote Perücke.	She’s wearing a red wig.	Plural: Perücken.
die Maske	MASK-eh	mask	Die Maske passt gut zum Kostüm.	The mask matches the costume well.	Useful in many contexts.
das Make-up	MAYK-opp	makeup	Das Make-up ist ziemlich aufwendig.	The makeup is quite elaborate.	Common borrowed term.
die Schminke	SHMINK-uh	makeup, face paint	Die Schminke ist schwarz und weiß.	The makeup is black and white.	Often used for theatrical or costume makeup.
der Hut	hoot	hat	Die Hexe trägt einen schwarzen Hut.	The witch is wearing a black hat.	Plural: die Hüte.
der Zombie	ZOM-bee	zombie	Mein Kostüm ist ein Zombie.	My costume is a zombie.	Very international word.
der Skelett	skeh-LETT	skeleton	Das Skelett hängt an der Tür.	The skeleton is hanging on the door.	Common in decorations.
die Knochen	KNOH-hen	bones	Die Knochen sind im Kostüm sichtbar.	The bones are visible in the costume.	Plural of der Knochen.

Grammar note: After als, the noun usually stays in the simple form you’d expect. For example: als Hexe, als Vampir, als Zombie. No extra article is needed in many costume phrases.

Spooky Places And Halloween Settings

Some Halloween vocabulary is really about where the action happens: a haunted house, a dark forest, a cellar, or a creepy old castle. German loves these words because they sound like they were invented for mystery novels and school plays.

German	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
das Haus	house	house	Das Haus wirkt verlassen.	The house looks abandoned.	Very basic, very useful.
verlassen	fer-LAS-en	abandoned, deserted	Die Straße ist verlassen.	The street is deserted.	Also a verb: to leave.
der Wald	valt	forest, woods	Im Wald ist es nachts unheimlich.	In the forest, it is eerie at night.	Plural: die Wälder.
der Keller	KEL-ler	basement, cellar	Im Keller stehen alte Kisten.	There are old boxes in the basement.	Very common spooky setting.
das Schloss	shloss	castle	Das Schloss sieht bei Nacht geheimnisvoll aus.	The castle looks mysterious at night.	Can also mean “lock,” so context matters.
geheimnisvoll	geh-HYM-nis-fol	mysterious	Die Musik klingt geheimnisvoll.	The music sounds mysterious.	Great word for atmosphere.
die Tür	tueur	door	Bitte mach die Tür zu.	Please close the door.	Plural: die Türen.
das Fenster	FEN-ster	window	Etwas bewegt sich am Fenster.	Something is moving at the window.	Useful in any suspense scene.
die Nacht	nakht	night	In der Nacht hört man Schritte.	At night, you hear footsteps.	Often paired with spooky vocabulary.
der Friedhof	FREED-hohf	cemetery	Der Friedhof ist alt und still.	The cemetery is old and quiet.	Use respectfully; not a casual joke word.

Interesting bit: In Germany, Halloween is generally more commercial than traditional. You’ll see costumes, parties, and decorations, but the bigger cultural fall season word often remains things like autumn festivals and, for later in the year, Christmas markets. German-speaking life loves a seasonal transition. Very organized. Slightly suspicious.

Helpful Phrases For Halloween Conversations

These are the kinds of sentences you can use in real life: at a party, in a message, in class, or while planning decorations.

German	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation	Learner Note
Was für ein gruseliges Kostüm!	vas fuer ayn GROO-ze-li-gess kos-TUEM	What a spooky costume!	Was für ein gruseliges Kostüm!	What a spooky costume!	Great compliment at a party.
Du siehst toll aus.	doo zietst tohl ows	You look great.	Du siehst toll aus. Das Kostüm passt dir gut.	You look great. The costume suits you well.	Friendly and natural.
Ich bin als … verkleidet.	ikh bin als fer-KLY-det	I’m dressed up as …	Ich bin als Hexe verkleidet.	I’m dressed up as a witch.	Use als + role.
Hast du Süßigkeiten?	hast doo ZOOSS-eech-KYT-en	Do you have candy?	Hast du Süßigkeiten? Ich habe Hunger.	Do you have candy? I’m hungry.	Very useful for party snacks. Slightly dangerous if asked too often.
Die Kinder gehen von Haus zu Haus.	dee KIN-der gay-en fon hows zoo hows	The children go from house to house.	Die Kinder gehen von Haus zu Haus.	The children go from house to house.	Useful for describing trick-or-treating.
Mach bitte das Licht an.	makh BIT-te das likht an	Please turn the light on.	Mach bitte das Licht an. Es ist dunkel.	Please turn the light on. It’s dark.	Everyday phrase, not just Halloween.
Das ist echt unheimlich.	das ist eht OON-hyme-likh	That’s really creepy.	Das ist echt unheimlich.	That’s really creepy.	Natural and common.
Keine Angst!	KY-nuh angst	No fear! / Don’t be scared!	Keine Angst! Das ist nur Deko.	No fear! It’s only decoration.	Useful to calm someone down.
Das ist nur ein Scherz.	das ist noor ayn shersts	That’s just a joke.	Das ist nur ein Scherz. Kein echtes Monster.	That’s just a joke. No real monster.	Handy when things get a bit too dramatic.
Wir gehen zu einer Halloween-Party.	veer gay-en zoo yn-er HAL-oh-ween PAR-tee	We’re going to a Halloween party.	Wir gehen zu einer Halloween-Party.	We’re going to a Halloween party.	Preposition zu is common for going to an event.
Die Deko ist super.	dee DAY-koh ist zoo-per	The decoration is great.	Die Deko ist super.	The decoration is great.	Deko is short and casual for Dekoration.
Ich liebe Halloween.	ikh LEE-beh HAL-oh-ween	I love Halloween.	Ich liebe Halloween.	I love Halloween.	Simple, clean, and useful.

Duden’s entry for Halloween is a boring but reliable place to check spelling and usage if you want to see how German reference sources handle the word.

German Halloween Grammar That Actually Helps

You do not need to solve all German grammar to talk about Halloween. Thankfully. But a few patterns will make your sentences sound much more natural.

Pattern	Meaning	German Example	English Translation	Learner Note
Ich bin als … verkleidet.	I am dressed up as …	Ich bin als Vampir verkleidet.	I am dressed up as a vampire.	verkleidet works like an adjective here.
Wir feiern …	We celebrate …	Wir feiern Halloween am 31. Oktober.	We celebrate Halloween on October 31.	feiern is the natural verb for holidays and parties.
Süßes oder Saures?	Trick or treat?	Süßes oder Saures?	Trick or treat?	Short, direct, and very Halloween-ish.
Etwas ist gruselig/unheimlich.	Something is spooky/creepy.	Das Haus ist gruselig.	The house is spooky.	gruselig is milder; unheimlich feels eerier.
Es gibt …	There is / there are …	Es gibt viele Süßigkeiten.	There are lots of sweets.	Very useful for describing a party or event.
von Haus zu Haus	from house to house	Die Kinder gehen von Haus zu Haus.	The children go from house to house.	Nice phrase for trick-or-treating.
zu einer Party gehen	to go to a party	Wir gehen zu einer Party.	We’re going to a party.	zu often means “to” for events.
mit + dative	with + noun	mit Freunden	with friends	mit always takes the dative case.

Mini rule: German nouns are capitalized. So it is der Kürbis, die Hexe, das Kostüm, die Süßigkeiten. The capitals are not decorative. German is just committed to the bit.

Practice Section

Try these quick exercises. A little practice now saves you from later standing in a shop and waving at pumpkins like an exhausted mime.

Task	Prompt	Answer	Note
Translate	What is “pumpkin” in German?	der Kürbis	Plural: die Kürbisse.
Translate	What is “ghost” in German?	das Gespenst / der Geist	Gespenst sounds more spooky-story-like.
Fill In The Blank	Wir feiern ________.	Halloween	Same spelling as English.
Fill In The Blank	Die Kinder rufen: ________ oder Saures!	Süßes	Classic phrase.
Spot The Difference	gruselig vs unheimlich	gruselig = spooky/creepy; unheimlich = eerie/uncanny	unheimlich can feel a bit stronger or more atmospheric.
Transform	Ich bin ein Vampir. → say “I’m dressed up as a vampire.”	Ich bin als Vampir verkleidet.	Use als + role/costume.
Correct The Sentence	Die kinder gehen von haus zu haus.	Die Kinder gehen von Haus zu Haus.	Nouns are capitalized in German.
Pronunciation Check	Spinne	“SHPIN-neh”	sp at the beginning usually sounds like “shp.”

Now try saying these aloud:

Ich liebe Halloween.
Das Kostüm ist gruselig.
Die Kinder gehen von Haus zu Haus.
Wir haben viele Süßigkeiten.
Mach bitte das Licht an.

If you want a second round of seasonal vocabulary, the main Learn German page is a good place to keep moving through related topics.

Common Mistakes And Easy Fixes

Common Mistake	Better Version	Why It Matters
das Halloween	Halloween	In German, the holiday usually appears without an article.
Ich bin verkleidet als ein Vampir.	Ich bin als Vampir verkleidet.	The natural word order is als + noun in costume talk.
Die kinder	Die Kinder	Nouns are capitalized.
ein spooky Haus	ein gruseliges Haus	Use German adjectives when possible for a more natural sentence.
Ich habe Angst von Geistern.	Ich habe Angst vor Geistern.	Angst vor means “fear of.” The preposition is vor, not von.
Wir feiern in Halloween.	Wir feiern Halloween.	No preposition needed here.
die Süßigkeit	die Süßigkeiten	When you mean candy in general, the plural is more common.
Es ist sehr gruslig.	Es ist sehr gruselig.	Watch the spelling: gruselig has -elig.

Germany, Austria, And Switzerland Notes

Halloween vocabulary is mostly shared across standard German, but the vibe can differ a little by region.

Germany: Halloween is widely understood and commonly used in shops, media, and among younger people.
Austria: Also understood, but some people may treat it as more of an imported commercial holiday.
Switzerland: Also known, though local customs and regional preferences may be stronger in everyday life.

In all three, the basic words like Halloween, Kürbis, Hexe, Vampir, and Party will get you very far. German-speaking people may not all celebrate Halloween the same way, but they will absolutely understand the vocabulary. Language, as usual, is the easy part. Human behavior is the weird part.

Quick Reference Summary

Word Or Phrase	Meaning	Best Use
Halloween	Halloween	Holiday name
Süßes oder Saures	trick or treat	Children asking for candy
der Kürbis	pumpkin	Decorations and jack-o’-lanterns
das Kostüm	costume	Party outfits
die Verkleidung	costume, disguise	Dressing up
gruselig	spooky	Friendly spooky tone
unheimlich	eerie, uncanny	More atmospheric spooky tone
die Hexe	witch	Costumes and stories
der Vampir	vampire	Costumes and spooky characters
die Süßigkeiten	candy	Treats and snacks
feiern	to celebrate	Events and holidays
verkleiden	to dress up	Costume talk

Yak takeaway: If you can say Ich bin als Vampir verkleidet and Süßes oder Saures, you already have the Halloween basics covered. Add gruselig, Kürbis, and Halloween-Party, and suddenly your German sounds a lot less ghostly and a lot more useful.