Chi è Babbo Natale?

Who is Santa Claus?

La storia di Babbo Natale è lunga e complicata.

secondo l’Enciclopedia Britannica, la figura di Babbo Natale viene da quella di un santo cristiano, San Nicola di Bari.

I cristiani festeggiano San Nicola il 6 dicembre, e in quel giorno i bambini ricevono dei regali.

molti secoli dopo, la versione olandese di San Nicola (“Sinterklaas”, cioè Saint Nicholas in inglese) dall’Olanda arriva a New Amsterdam, la futura New York: Qui, in America, diventa Santa Claus.

Dopo la Seconda guerra mondiale, la figura di Santa Claus diventa popolare in tutto il mondo come portatore di regali ai bambini.

E voi, che regali avete ricevuto Quest’anno?

Keywords

Babbo Natale: Santa Claus – 圣诞老人

secondo: according to – 按照, 根据

santo/a: saint, holy – 圣

il regalo: gift – 礼物

l’ Olanda: The Netherlands – 荷兰

diventare: to become – 成为

popolare: popular – 流行

Grammar

Le date
Dates

“I cristiani festeggiano San Nicola il 6 dicembre”
(Christians celebrate St. Nicholas on December 6th)

In Italian, when referring to the days of the month, we always use the cardinal number, which is preceded by the correct masculine, singular, definite article.
It’s important to note that in Italian, the day comes before the month, unlike in some other countries where the order is reversed. Additionally, Italian months are not capitalized, unlike in English.

For example:
– il 10 febbraio = February 18th
– il tre marzo = March the 3rd
– l’ 8 settembre = September 8th

The only exception is the first day of the month, where we can use the ordinal number for “one” instead of “uno”:
– il primo giugno = June 1st

It’s also possible to use “il primo di [month]” to refer to the first day of any month:
– il primo di giugno = June 1st

Translation

The story of Santa Claus is long and complicated.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the figure of Santa Claus comes from that of a Christian saint, St. Nicholas of Bari.

Christians celebrate St. Nicholas on December 6th, and on that day children receive gifts.

Many centuries later, the Dutch version of St. Nicholas (“Sinterklaas”, which means Saint Nicholas in English) from Holland arrives in New Amsterdam, the future New York: Here, in America, he becomes Santa Claus.

After World War II, the figure of Santa Claus becomes popular worldwide as a bringer of gifts to children.

And you, what gifts did you receive this year?

Quiz

Pronti?