Conversational Yiddish

Introduction Welcome to the Yiddish Learning Guide. There is another Wikibook about Yiddish, aimed at Yeshivah-students who are interested in learning enough Yiddish to understand a lesson taught in Yiddish. It may be used as a substitute until this Wikibook is more developed. Note that Yiddish is written in the same alphabet as Hebrew. In this guide, you will also find some of the words transliterated into English letters using the YIVO system. In Yiddish there is no lower or upper case letter system. For ease of reading, or in order to better coordinate with English spelling conventions, the first letters of some words in the Yiddish transliteration have been capitalized. A guide to the אַלף־בית - alef beys - aka the alphabet - starts below. One last thing, before we begin: Sometimes, in the process of a lesson, this book might use some linguistics-related terms. Please don't fret too much about any of them. They are not here to be memorized, much less thought of more than once or twice. They are only here in case you could find them useful for further research. In any language, native speakers rarely ever think about what they are doing linguistically, let alone even know what these things are officially called - they are usually too busy just doing it. In the same way, the goal of this textbook is to figuratively teach you how to tie your own shoes so that you might head off into Yiddishland and simply start living in it - not force you to become one of its resident anthropologists. Now that we've gotten that over with - go and learn! דער אַלף־בית - The Alphabet Vowels The א In both Yiddish and Hebrew, the letter א (alef) is silent until there is a vowel written under it. The silent form is called שטומער אלף - shtumer alef. In written Yiddish, a silent alef is often used at the beginning of words for ease of reading, or to avoid floating vowels. For example, without shtumer alef, the word oy - אױ - would just be a floating vov-yud: ױ - and that's no good.⠀!אױ װײ There are two vowels that go under א and make a sound: +Pasekh AlefאַAa as in father. +Kumets AlefאָOo as in lot. Ih, Ey, and Ay If you've ever learned a little bit of Hebrew, you might remember that the vowel that creates the ey sound in the word סֵפֶר - sefer; book - is אֵ - tzere, and the ay sound, as in why, is created with any pasekh followed by a yud - אַי. And of course, a lone י in a Hebrew word usually makes a Y sound, as in young. In Yiddish, these sounds happen a little bit differently. +YudאיSome words: Ih, as in in Other words: Ee, as in see. +Tsvey YudnײEy as in say or Ay as in why +Pasekh Tsvey YudnײַAy as in why or Aa as in car E, Oy, and Oo +AyinעE as in bed. +Vov-YudאױEy as in way or Oy as in boy +Melupm-VovאוOo as in moon or Ee as in see Everything Else Consonants (and Final Forms) +BetבB as in big. +GimelגG as in game. +DaletדD as in deal. +HeyהHh as in help. +Tsvey VovnװVv as in van. +ZayinזZz as in zero. +KhesחKh as in German Bach, or Scottish Loch. +Tesט Tt as in time. +Yud (Again!)י Yy as in yak. +KhofכKh as in German Bach,or Scottish Loch. +LamedלLl as in light. +MemמMm as in much. +NunנNn as in next. +SamechסSs as in stone. +PeyפּPp as in pill. +FeyפFf as in face. +TzadiצTz as in tzaddik. +KufקKk as in kite. +Reyshר1Rr as in Rashi. Either "gargled," as in French or German, or rolled, like in Spanish and Italian.1 +ShinשSh as in shell. Consonants found only in words from Hebrew and Aramaic: כּKk as in kite. שׂSs as in stone. +TofתּTt as in tough. +SofתSs as in Seth. Letter Combinations (Zh and Jj) +Shin-DaledשזZh as in leisure. +Daled-Zayin-ShinדזשJj as in jump. Five letters are replaced by special forms at the end of a word: +Langer Khofכ becomes ך +Shlus Memמ becomes ם +Langer Nunנ becomes ן +Langer Feyפ becomes ף +Langer Tzadiצ becomes ץ A Note On Dialects Yiddish historically contains a multitude of diverse dialects, all of which differ on how they pronounce certain letters, especially vowels. Some dialects may have grammatical structures, such as gendered cases, that function differently than they do within other Yiddish dialects. Some dialects differ on what they call certain nouns, for example, in Litvish versus Galician Yiddish: kartofl vs bulbe (potato). The most commonly taught dialect in academic settings such as Yiddish classes in universities is called כּלל־שפּראַך - klal shprakh - aka Standard Yiddish - but this does not mean it is the most commonly spoken dialect. Standard Yiddish was developed in Vilna during the 20th century by YIVO in order to create a consistent system of spelling, grammar, and pronunciation. Should you speak Standard Yiddish with native Yiddish speakers, it's possible they might find your Yiddish a little bit strange. This is because Standard Yiddish has combined more than one dialect's grammatical system with another's pronunciation, and it may occasionally also use older or more archaic forms of certain words. Yiddish dialects are commonly nicknamed from the places they originated - though these names predate many of the present-day borders of these countries or cities. Some Yiddish dialects, particularly when searching the web, will have more widely available texts, films, and resources available than others. However, this does not mean these are the dialects you have to learn! Choosing a dialect is a deeply personal decision. Some may decide to research their own genealogy to determine what dialect their ancestors would have spoken. Some may choose a less common dialect, like Ukrainish, in order to aid in its preservation. In academic settings, some may find a great deal of use in learning klal-sprakh. Some may just choose whichever dialect they think sounds best. The goal when learning any Yiddish dialect is typically consistency - picking a system of pronunciation and sticking to it, but this is not necessarily the end goal when it comes to speaking Yiddish. It is helpful to remember that many native Yiddish speakers will grow up in families who speak two or more distinct dialects, and as a result, end up with a gemish of Yiddish - a mixed dialect. This is a guide to conversational Yiddish. This book's purpose is to give you some basics and fundamentals on how to read, write, communicate, and live in Yiddish - not to insist on how you should or must do so. Yiddish is Yiddish - and Yiddish is more than 2000 years old! There is no single way to speak it - this a great part of what makes mame-loshn such a beautiful language. Really, what matters most when learning any language is learning how to read. Reading aloud, particularly with a chevrusa (study partner) is a great opportunity to practice your speaking skills and learn new words. Writing things down and learning to read and write cursive Hebrew will let you take notes on what you've learned in order to better remember it. It is highly recommended that you learn to read and write the alef-beys. Not only will the ability to read and write allow you to better practice and apply your language learning skills, it will give you access to a wider variety of Yiddish texts. Most of all, the ability to read Yiddish text written with Hebrew letters can prove particularly useful when one is learning to speak dialects other than klal-sprakh, as the ability to read words with spelling that might not reflect your own personal pronunciation and still render them into your own chosen dialect in your head is a very important skill. Remember - you might call it Shvuos. You might call it Shvee-os! But ultimately, what matters most is that you can read and spell the word שָׁבוּעוֹת1. 1Hebrew, Jewish holiday: the festival of the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. Vocabulary - װאָקאַבולאַר Pronouns - פּראָנאָמען +EnglishייִדישPronunciationIאיךIkh (as in beak) or, on occasion, yakh (as in bach)You (familiar)דוDi (as in see), or Du (as in zoo)You (Formal)אירIr (as in beer)HeערEr (as in bear)SheזיZi (as in bee)ItעסEs (as in fez)TheyזײZay (as in fly) or zey (as in way)We (and/or me, when dative case)מירMir (as in fear) Who, What, Why, Where, When, and How You must have some questions by now about the Yiddish language. While we can't answer them all at once, we can certainly give you the vocabulary required to ask them! This is also going to be very useful when you move on to the next two sections, where you will learn how to introduce yourself and ask people how they are doing - and also because the pronunciation of some of the vowels in these adverbs and pronouns varies from person to person. In Yiddish, a question is called די פֿראַגע. An answer is דער ענטפֿער. These two nouns are also verbs: פֿרעגן - to ask, and ענטפֿערן, to answer. To ask a question, you say: .איך װיל עפּעס פֿרעגן lit. I want to ask something. Now, back to Who, What, Why, Where, When, and How: ?װער איז דאָס Who is this?verװער ?װאָס איז דאָס What is this?vosװאָס ?פֿאַרװאָס איז דאָס Why is this?farvosפֿאַרװאָס ?װוּ איז עס Where is it?vooװוּ ?װען איז עס When is it?venװען װי איז עס How is it?veeװי ?װי אַזױ איז עס דאָ How is it here?vee azoyװי אַזױ And now, a quick note on pronunciation: If one pronounces the vov (ו) in the word דו as oo, as in zoo, then the komets alef (אָ) in דאָס, װאָס, and פֿאַרװאָס is said as vos, dos, and far-vos - as in boss, and the vov (ו) in װוּ is said as oo - just like דו! If one pronounces the vov in the word דו as ee, as in see, then the komets alef (אָ) in these words is said like voos, as in whose - so they are pronounced as voos, doos, and far-voos respectively - and just like how דו becomes dee, the vov (ו) in װוּ means that it is also pronounced as vee! Before you ask: yes, this does mean that in this dialect, there is no audible way to tell the difference between someone saying the word where and the word how except for context clues. Hellos, Goodbyes, and Good Manners How does one greet people in Yiddish? Simple enough - +For a hello, we say:1!שלם־עליכםsholem-aleychem! (Heb - lit. peace be upon you) + This greeting is then returned with a!עליכם־שלםaleychem-sholem! of one's own. 1If one pronounces the vov in the word דו as oo, as in zoo, then the שלם in שלם־עליכם is said as sholem as in show. If one pronounces the vov in the word דו as ee, as in see, then שלם is said as shoolem, as in shoe. When greeting or being greeted by someone in Yiddish with any of the following phrases which start with גוט (gut), one can expect to hear or be expected to respond with גוט יאָר - (a) gut yor - (a) good year.2 2If one pronounces the vov in the word דו as oo, as in zoo, then the word גוט should be pronounced as somewhere between goot (as in boot) or gut (as in foot). If one pronounces the vov in the word דו as ee, as in see, then the word גוט is said like geet, as in feet. I.e: "A guteh vokh, versus "A giteh vokh." +Gut morgn.Good morning.גוט מאָרגןGut elf.Good afternoon.גוט עלףGutn ovnt.Good evening.גוטן אָװנטGut Shabbos!Good Shabbat!גוט שבתּGut yontev!Good holiday!גוט יום־טובGutn mo-eyd!lit. Good in-between times! (Chol HaMoed)גוטן מועדGutn khoydes!Good (new) month! (Rosh Chodeshגוטן חודשA gut vokh!A good week!3אַ גוט װאָך 3אַ גוט װאָך is the Yiddish counterpart to שבוע טוב (shavua tov), a Hebrew greeting traditionally said upon the conclusion of Shabbat after sundown on Saturday night. Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays are perfectly acceptable days on which to wish someone a good week, particularly if one has not seen them since before Saturday evening. Any later than that, however, is up to personal discretion. Fridays and Saturdays are the two days in which it can be virtually guaranteed one will not greet or be greeted with אַ גוט װאָך - as these are the two days on which we tend to wish each other a גוט שבתּ or שבתּ שלום! Goodbye and Farewell As in English, Yiddish has more than one way to say goodbye. +Depending on what time it is, you might say:.אַ גוטן טאָגGood day..אַ גוט נאַכטGood night..אַ גוט װאָךGood week. (*See note3 under table of greetings above) Or, there is always the eternally universal: אַ גוט יאָר - a good year. If you are ending a conversation, or about to leave, you can say goodbye with: .זײַ געזונטZei gezunt. Be well/be healthy. (Politely) Introducing Yourself - איר vs דו You know how to say hello. You know how to say goodbye! But do you know how to mind your manners? If you're going to ask questions or introduce yourself in Yiddish, there are a few things you should know first about how to refer to other people. Remember those pronouns from earlier? Let's review them! There are two forms of the pronoun you in Yiddish. One is formal, and is for strangers or people who outrank you. Another is informal, and is for your friends, family, or when speaking to children. איר (pronounced eer, as in deer), is formal. דו (pronounced either du, as in zoo, or ee, as in see, depending on dialect) is familiar. There are also two different ways of conjugating verbs with these two pronouns that are either familiar and formal. Think of these conjugations as being a bit like choosing whether to say "I can't do that!" or "I cannot do that," depending on who you are speaking to - they are essentially just Yiddish contractions. So, what's your name? +To ask someone (formally) what their name is, you say:?װי הײסט אירvi heyst eer? lit. What are you called? +Or in the familiar:1?װי הײסטו 1If you say the word דו like dee, then you should read these words as "vee heystee?" If you say the word דו like doo, you should pronounce them as "vee heystoo?". When someone asks you - ?װי הײסט איר +Then you can reply:.[נאָמען] איך הײסIkh heys [name]. I am called [name]. How Are You? If you want to ask someone how they are, you might say: ?װאָס מאַכט אירvoos/vos makht eer? lit. What make you? But they might not give you much of an answer - Yiddish, on a cultural level, isn't always that kind of language. Should you continue your conversation, you'll most certainly be able to find out how they are - just not necessarily by how they answer this question. Many people, when asked this question, may just reply: ,ברוך השםbrikh/barookh HaShem (lit: blessed be The Name) Aka, thank G-d - which is polite, but also communicates absolutely 0 information about their current state of being. +You can also ask: 1?װי גײט עסHow goes it? 1If you pronounce the vov in דו like oo, you might pronounce the tsvey yudn (ײ) in the word גײט as geyt, as in gate. If you pronounce דו as di, as in see, you might say it as geit, as in night. However, in this context, there is not a hard and fast rule for this vowel. ײ as ey is more "contemporary." ײ as ei is more "old-fashioned." Both are perfectly good choices. Or, to coming back to our friend, װאָס מאַכטו, you can even give out the classic: ?װאָס מאַכט אַ ייִד lit. What does a Jew make? Which is technically only for men - there's not a feminine version of this phrase. You might hear it in shul - or in Yiddish class. In addition to ol' reliable ברוך השם, there are a multitude of replies to "How are you?" Some carry the same sort of succinct politeness, such as נישקשה - nishkoosheh - not bad. But what if you're not doing so great - or you just can't be bothered? +You could reply:Fraig nisht.Don't ask..פֿרײג נישט Or, there's always these two פּאַרעװע (parveh - plain, neutral) responses: Es ken alemol zayn beser.It could always be better..עס קען אַלעמאָל זײַן בעסער Es ken alemol zayn erger.It could always be worse..עס קען אַלעמאָל זײַן ערגער Because it's true - it can always be better. It can always be worse. +?װאָס מאַכסטו - What am I making? Well...Keyn bris makht ikh nisht!I'm not making a bris!!קײן ברית מאַכט איך נישט +If you're feeling your age:Ikh bin an alter shkrab.I'm a worn out old shoe.איך בין אַן אַלטער שקראַב +And if things are getting really, really bad:Zol mayne soynem gezugt.It should be said of my enemies..זאָל מײַנע שונים געזאָגט But, arguably, the most Yiddish answer of all time is this one right here: +How am I? How am I?!Vos zol ikh makhn?How should I be??װאָס זאָל איך מאַכן Which, depending on tone and level of sarcasm, will convey anything from "I don't have an answer to that," to "Who do you think you are?" Yiddish, at its core, is brimming with opportunities for sarcasm, wit, and wordplay. It can be poetic, sharp, or silly - it's just that versatile. There are as many answers to "How are you?" as you can come up with - these are just here to give you a good start. Remember - if you're talking to someone you respect, or someone you don't know so well - it's probably best to stick to the pareve answers. But if you're talking with your friends, or amongst a class of other Yiddish learners? Go nuts! It's one of the best ways to learn something new. Dialects - Again! Didn't we just do this in the introduction? Absolutely! But wait - there's more! Over the past few chapters, you might have noticed some patterns in how certain letters can be pronounced, and which groups of pronunciations "match up" with each other. While the purpose of the original section on Yiddish dialects is to give you a clear understanding of why and how dialect matters, and reasons individual Yiddishists and Yiddish speakers speak the way they do, this section exists to tell you who says what, and how they say it. In short - by now, you might know a little bit about which pronunciations are grouped together within - ie, דו as dee, and װאָס as voos - but you might not know why, or what this group is called. The reason that we are only now learning the names of these dialects is because it was more important that you first learn how to speak a little bit. After all, it's not very easy for someone to learn how to say a word if they don't know what it means. This way, you will acquire this knowledge more naturally. When children learn how to talk in their native language, they don't fully understand what dialects are - they just know how the people around them say things, what those things mean, and what sounds go together. So, as you learned more words, you were given some basic information on the rules of how certain vowels are pronounced on a word-by-word basis. Now, we are going to show you what those rules are called, and (vaguely) where they're from. The dialects you have been learning in this book so far can be grouped under what is called Eastern Yiddish. The two systems of pronunciation you have mainly been taught so far come from Northeastern Yiddish, which is often called Litvish, (Lithuanian Yiddish) and Southeastern Yiddish, which is made up two dialects that are often called Poylish/Galitsianer Yiddish (Polish Yiddish) and Ukrainish (Ukrainian Yiddish). Poylish and Ukrainish share certain pronunciations - for example, both dialects pronounce the vov in דו and װוּ as an ee sound, as in see, but in Poylish, the melupn-vov is a long vowel, and in Ukrainish, it is shortened. Litvish is the dialect whose system of pronunciation was largely utilitzed in the creation of klal-sprakh - aka Standard Yiddish. Thus, people who speak Litvish and Standard Yiddish will pronounce many vowels the same way. This is the dialect in which דו is pronounced as oo, as in zoo. However, Litvish is starkly different from all other dialects, including Standard Yiddish, in one specific way: It doesn't have a neuter (neutral-gendered) case. In Litvish, nouns will always be only masculine or feminine. Standard Yiddish, on the other hand, uses Litvish vowels and Poylish grammatical structure - thus Standard Yiddish does, in fact, have a gender-neutral case. All Yiddish dialects come with their own historical baggage, stereotypes, homonyms, puns, and idiosyncrasies. This is half the fun in learning about them, after all! Yiddish speaking Jews have been making fun of each other for the ways we choose to say certain words for literal millenia. For example, when asking where someone lives, a Litvish speaker, who would typically pronounce a vov-yud (ױ) like in the verb װױנען (to live, to dwell somewhere) as ey, as in say, instead must say it as oy, as in boy - because otherwise, thanks to an inconvenient homonym, they would in fact be asking: ?װוּ װײנסטו - voo veynstu? - where do you cry? instead of where do you live? And, as previously mentioned in the beginning, speakers of Northern and Southern Yiddish have yet to agree on what you call a potato. However you say it - קאַרטאָפֿל, בולבע - nu, for now, let's call the whole thing off. Your dialect is your choice. There is no one "true" Yiddish dialect. What you speak is what you speak - and hopefully, these days, nobody is going to start a brawl with you should you decide to say kigel instead of kugel. No matter what dialect you have chosen and why, you deserve the right to be proud of your Yiddish. That is, so long as you don't go around trying to insist to anyone and everyone who will listen that Yiddish speakers should all speak klal - that sort of נאַרישעקײט may very well result in someone telling you to גיי קאַקן אויפֿן ים. For further details on individual differences between dialects, this chart from Wiktionary is an invaluable resource, as is Wikitionary itself, in addition to the Wikipedia pages for Yiddish dialects and the Yiddish language itself. Wikitongues also contains videos of a variety of Yiddish speakers of many different dialects. How do you say ... װי זאָגט מען Speaking of how to say things, before we return to your previously scheduled programming, now seems like as good a time as any to provide you with every language learner's #1 phrase: ?װי זוגט מען... אױף ייִדישvi zogt/zugt men... af/oyf Yiddish? Lit. "How does one say... in Yiddish?" A single word is called די װאָרט. Multiple words are די װערטער - and a dictionary is די װערטערבוך! +If you forget something, you say:...איך האָב פֿאַרגעסן lit. I have forgotten (past tense) But you can also just say: !שױן פֿאַרגעסן I forgot! While we're at it, to remember or to recall is געדענקען. +For example: .איך געדענק I remember. Please and Thank You And now, back to, you guessed it: even more manners! After all, now that you know how to ask a few questions - it certainly couldn't hurt to ask politely. If you are familiar with Jewish English, or if you've ever been in a certain kind of shul, a few of these phrases might start to ring a bell - particularly the way in which Yiddish speakers say please: +Excuse me, Herr Schwartz, Zay azoy gut...Would you be so good......זײַ אַזױ גוט As to fetch me my glasses from that table over there? +And if Mr. Schwartz has obliged, then you can say:A dank.Thank you..אַ דאַנק +Or even:A sheynem dank!Thank you very much! (lit. a beautiful thanks)!אַ שײנעם דאַנק A groysn dank!Thank you very much! (lit. a great thanks)!אַ גרױסן דאַנק +To which he will probably reply:Nishto far-vos.You're welcome. (lit. something between, "It's nothing," or "No need to thank me!".נישטאָ פֿאַרװאָס Jewish social norms start making a bit more sense upon learning how people tend to respond to certain things in Yiddish (as with other Jewish languages, too). +If you're in shul, or among a more religious crowd, you might hear this one a lot:Shkoyekh! or Yasher koyekh!Good job! (English interjection) or, in some Yiddish dialects: Thank you! (Hebrew, lit: More strength to you.)!שכּ׳ח or !יישר כּוח +To which you can politely reply:A yasher.You're welcome..אַ יישר Thus, אַ יישר is a (religious) Hebrew synonym of נישטאָ פֿאַרװאָס - in Yiddish, that is. יישר כּוח is technically masculine, but depending on who you're talking to, particularly when said alongside plain English, it may be tossed around rather indiscriminately. There is, however, a feminine form: this is pronounced yee-shar ko-khekh. If you have entered a shul in which there is a mechitza (a wall separating the women and men) and the Rabbi's wife is referred to as די רבצין, The Rebbetzin, complete with definite article - perhaps you might offer her or other women there a yee-shar ko-khekh instead to avoid any confusion. Hey! Mister! Mister! Speaking of manners - what happens when you urgently need to get a stranger's attention in public? +Mister! Mister! Your yarmulke, it's fallen off your head!!רב ייִד! רב ייִד! די יאַרמלקע, ס׳איז געפֿאַלן אַראָפּ פֿון דער קאָפּ In Yiddish, you can address men as רב - reb - aka, Mister. So, some people might call your friend from shul רב עירא - Reb Ira - but of course, your Rabbi will still be just that: רבי. But what if, like in the first example, you don't know the man's name, and he's about to - 1!חלילה וחס - step right on his black velvet skullcap? 1!חלילה וחס - kholileh ve-KAS - and it's reversable, too - !חס וחלילה - Hebrew: G-d forbid! Versatile, occasionally sarcastic, and rarely said without at least a little dramatic effect. Nu, allow me introduce you to yet another peak of Yiddish social innovation, aka this phrase right here: Mister Jew!Reb Yeed!!רב ייִד Yes, you heard me right: Mister Jew. Any man whose name you don't know, barring some exceptions, is now Mister Jew. There is, tragically, not a feminine form of רב ייִד. There isn't technically a female counterpart to רב either, unless maybe you're referring to the Rabbi's wife, or the Rabbi herself. Thus in Yiddish, in absence of a name, or when not on a first-name basis, you will have to stick to the good old English Miss. There is a feminine form of the word ייִד, but thanks to centuries of Yiddish humour poking fun at women, in addition to poking fun at literally any and everything else, (Think of the tone in which Tevye sometimes talks about his wife and daughters in Sholem Aleichem's books) nowadays that particular word is not exactly the nicest thing to call a woman. Thus, unless she who you are speaking to is a Rabbi, your Rabbi's wife, or a doctor, we shall simply call her Miss. Excuse me... Do you need to interrupt someone? Or perhaps you have the hiccups, or you just sneezed. +In all of these cases, you can say:Zei meer moykhl. or Zei moykhl.Excuse me, pardon me, sorry. Heb, lit: Forgive me..זײַ מיר מוחל or .זײַ מוחל Getting onto a crowded bus? .זײַ מוחל Stuck at the front of the shul after services because yet again everyone and their mother is shmoozing in the aisles? .זײַ מוחל Trying, for the umpteenth time mid-conversation, to alert your friend to your presence? !זײַ מיר מוחל There is also ענטשולדיק מיר, - entshuldik mir - which is from the same root as the similar phrase in German. It means the same thing as זײַ מוחל - excuse me. Even More Pronouns In this book, you have already learned the Yiddish forms of the pronouns I, You, We, Me, They, He, She, and It. There are, however, obviously more pronouns than these - this first group of pronouns are in what is called the nominative case. To communicate, we also need pronouns such as us and our, to give two examples, which belong to a group which is called the dative case. Some of these pronouns are shared between both these groups. Now, enough already with the linguistics - let's get learning! EnglishייִדישPronunciationMeמירMir (as in deer)YouדירDir (as in deer)HimאיםEem (as in seem)HerאירEer (as in deer)UsאונדזUndz (oo as in moon) or Indz (Ih as in in)You/yourselvesאײַךAykh (as in bike, but with a hard kh sound) or Akh (as in Bach)TheyזײZey (as in way or zay (as in fly) Then, we have possessive pronouns, for when we need to say when something belongs to someone, such as: +1st PersonEnglishייִדישPronunciationMyמײַןMayn (as in mine) or maan (as in naan)OurאונדזערUndzer (oo as in moon) or Indzer (Ih as in in)Whose?װעמענסVemens (as in lemons) +2nd PersonEnglishייִדישPronunciationYour (singular)דײַןDayn (as in mine) or dahn (as in naan)Your/s (pl.)אײַערAyer (as in flyer.) +3rd PersonEnglishייִדישPronunciationHim/hisזײַןZayn (as in mine) or zaan (as in naan)Her/hersאירEer (as in deer)TheirזייערZeyer (as in mayor) or Zayer (as in flyer) You will be learning how to use all of the pronouns you have learned so far very shortly after the next section - which is on words for people and relationships. After that we will be moving on to some useful verbs, and you can use these pronouns to form a sentence! Yet another note on pronunciation: Since we've gone over different dialects, gotten used to pairing up certain sounds within each, and there are a lot of dialectal variations within the pronunciation these pronouns, here's a quick, more cohesive explanation of which vowels belong to who. +Southeastern (Poylish/Galitzaner Yiddish)VowelPronunciationExamplesײַaa as in nahזײַן (said: zahn, to rhyme with khan)ײAye as in byeנײער (said, nayer, to rhyme with flyer - trans: New.)וּ or וee as in bee?װוּ ביסטו (Said, vee bistee - trans: Where are you?)ױoy as in boyלױפֿן (said, loyfn - verb, trans: To run)אָDepends on the wordWhen in דאָס, װאָס, or פֿאַרװאָס, this makes an oo sound, so that they are voos, doos, and far-voos. +Northeastern (Litvish Yiddish)VowelPronunciationExamplesײַaye as in byeמײַן (said: mine)ײoy as in boyװײנען (said, voynen. Verb, trans: to dwell/live somewhere)וּ or וoo as in boo?װוּ ביסטו (Said, voo bistoo - trans: Where are you?)ױey as in wayלױפֿן (said, leyfn - verb, trans: To run)אָo as in onIn דאָס, װאָס, or פֿאַרװאָס, this makes an oh sound, to rhyme with boss, so that they become vos, dos, and far-vos. People, Relationships, and Gender Definite articles I regret to inform you that because Yiddish is a gendered language, there is never just one word to use in order to say the. However - don't panic! Yes, there are consistent patterns in which the to use for nouns and/or people, and yes, you will eventually remember them all. No, they do not relate necessarily to the real-life gender associated with the noun. For example, a יאַרמולקע, a skullcap worn by Jewish men, is feminine in Yiddish - because it's spelled with an ע - an ayin - on the end. Meanwhile, a מײדל - a little girl - is not feminine, but neutral, because of the ל - the lamed - at the end of the word, which is used in Yiddish to indicate that something is small, cutesy, or both. +TheדערMasculine (זכר - zokher)דאָסNeutral (נײטראַל - neytral or nayetral)דיFeminine (נקבֿה - nekeyve) or neuter plural (נײטראַלע) If you can accept the fact that it will sound like you are using baby talk, you could cheat at having to guess the gender of some nouns by rendering them all small - thereby not only earning the disrespect of potentially everyone around you, but also the right to use the neuter plural די. This bears mentioning only because it's something of an in-joke among Yiddish learners. Just - don't. Don't do this. But hey, I bet you'll certainly remember now that when a word ends in ל, or עלע, you can probably use די! Family relationships - די משפּחה aunt di mume (mime), di tante boy der/dos yingl brother der bruder/der brider (pl. di brider) brother-in-law der shvoger child dos kind children di kinder cousin (f) di kuzine cousin (m) der kuzin cousin (n) dos shvesterkind daughter di tokhter daughter-in-law di shnur (shnir) father der tate / der futer (s) father-in-law der shver girl dos/di meydl great-grandfather der elterzeyde great-grandmother di elterbobe / elterbabe great-grandson der ureynikI grandchild dos eynikI granddaughter di eynikI grandson der eynikI grandfather der zeyde/zayde(s) grandmother di bobe/babe(s) grandparents zeyde-babe mother di mame/ di miter mother-in-law di shviger nephew der plimenik niece di plimenitse parents tate-mame parents di eltern relative (f) di kroyve relative (m) der korev sibling der geshvister sister di shvester sister-in-law di shvegerin son der zun/der zin son-in-law der eydem son-in-law’s or daughter-in-law’s father der mekhutn / der mekhitn son-in-law’s or daughter-in-law’s mother di makheteniste son-in-law’s or daughter-in-law’s parents di makhetunim stepbrother der shtif-brider/shtifbrider stepfather der shtif-foter stepmother di shtif-miter/shtif miter stepsister di shtif-shvester twin der tsviling uncle der feter Some Basic Verbs (To Have, To Be, To Go, To Learn) Be - זײַן to beזײַןzayn (zine, IPA [zäɪn])I amאיך ביןikh binyou areדו ביסטdi bisthe/she/it isער/זי/עס איזer/zi/es izwe areמיר זענעןmir zenenyou (pl) areאיר זײַטir zaytthey areזײ זענעןzay zenen Were: איך בין געװען/געװעזן Ikh bin geveyn/geveyzn דו ביסט געװען/געװעזן Du/Di bist geveyn/geveyzn און אַזױ װײַטער.... in azoy vayter/and so on... Have - האבן to haveהאָבןhobnI haveאיך האָבikh hobyou haveדו האָסטdi hosthe/she hasער/זי/עס האָטer/zi/es hotwe haveמיר האָבןmir hobnyou (pl) haveאיר האָטir hotthey haveזיי האָבןzey hobn Go - גײן to goגייןgaynI goאיך גייikh gayyou goדו גייסטd gaysthe/she/it goesער/זי/עס גייטer/zi/es gaytwe goמיר גייעןmir geyenyou (pl) goאיר גייטir gaytthey goזיי גייעןzay gayen To Learn - לערנען זיך / To Teach - לערנען איך לערן זיך אידיש I am learning Yiddish דו לערנסט זיך אידיש You are learning Yiddish ער/זי לערנט זיך אידיש He/she is learning Yiddish. The verbal additive זיך is needed when one is "learning". In the past tense (I have learnt, you have learnt etc...) the verbal additive comes directly after the verb: זי האָט זיך געלערנט the verb being hoben. To teach is simply לערנען. דער רב לערנט מיט מיר תּורה Der Rov lernt mit mir Toyre - The Rov is teaching me Toyre. Another way to say that someone is teaching you is: דער רב לערנט מיך תּורה Der Rov gelernt mikh Toyre - Der Rov is teaching me Toyre. So either ער לערנט מיט מיר ...ער לערנט מיך... Er lernt mikh... or er lernt mit mir... The Past Tense Numbers, Quantities, and Telling Time Numbers - נומערס One - Eyns Two - Tsvey Three - Dray Four - Fier Five - Finef Six - Zeks Seven - Zibn Eight - Akht Nine - Nayn Ten - Tsen Eleven - Elef Twelve - Tsvelef Thirteen - Draytsn Fourteen - Fertsn Fifteen - Fiftsn Sixteen - Zekhtsn Seventeen - Zibetsn Eighteen - Akhtsn Nineteen - Nayntsn Twenty - Tsvontsik Twenty-one - Eyn in Tsvontsik Twenty-two - Tsvay in Tsvontsik Thirty - Draysik Thirty-one - Eyns un Drasik Forty - Fertsik Fifty - Fiftsik Sixty - Zakhtsik Seventy - Zibetsik Eighty - Akhtsik Ninety - Nayntsik One Hundred - Hindert Two Hundred - Tsvey Hindert Three Hundred - Dray Hindert Four Hundred - Fir Hindert Five Hundred - Finef Hindert and same pattern Thousand - Toyznt Ten Thousand - Ten Toyznt Hundred Thousand - Hindert Toyznt Million - Milyon Telling Time Time די צײַט second de sekund minute di minut hour di shtunde (n) di shu (shuen) day der tug (teyg) night di nakht (nekht) year dos yor century dos yorhindert Telling the time: s'iz 12(tvelef) a zayger - it's 12 o'clock. s'iz halb akht in ovent - it's 7.30pm s'iz fertsn nokh 10 in der fri - it's 10:15 am. s'iz finef tsi naan in der fri - its five to nine in the morning. er kimt in shil 9 azayger in der fri. He comes to school at 9 am. Zi vet tsirik kimen fertl nokh mitug - she will come back at quarter past twelve (noon). Foods - עסנװאַרג די גרונטזװײג - Vegetables Vegetables Transliterated English ייִדיש Di kinare Artichoke די קינאַרע Di grine arbes Green peas די גרינע אַרבעס Shpinat Spinach שפּינאַט Di petrushke Turnip די פּעטרושקע Der retekh Beet דער רעטעך Di brokoliBroccoliדי בראָקאָלי Di ugerke Cucumber די אוגערקע Di blumenkroyt Cauliflower די בלומענקרויט Dos kroyt Cabbage דאָס קרױטDi latukhLettuceדי לאַטוכDos pomidorTomatoדאָס פּאָמידאָרDi seleryeCeleryדי סעלעריעDi bulbePotatoדי בולבעDer meyer(n)Carrotדער מײער(ן)Di tsibeleOnionדי ציבעלעDer avokadoAvocadoדער אַוואָקאַדאָDi shparzheAsparagusדי שפּאַרדזשעDi shvomMushroomדי שװאָםKirbesPumpkinקירבעס cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peasspinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoliturnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocadoradish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflowercabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettucetomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס di kinare artichoke די קינאַרע שפּינאַט spinach shpinat petrushke turnip די פאטרושקע artichoke di kinare די קינאַרע green peas spinach shpinat שפּינאַט broccoli turnip petrushke די פאטרושקע avocado radish der retekh cucumber di ugerke די אוגערקע cauliflower cabbage dos kroyt דאָס קרױט lettuce tomato dos pomidor דאָס פּאָמידאָר celery di selerye די סעלעריע cucumber kastravet קאַסטראַוועט radish רעטעך potato di bulbe / di karto די בולבע carrot der mayeren דער מייער onion di tsibele די ציבעלע asparagus di sparzhe די שפּאַרזשע mushroom di shvom(en) די שװאָ (ען) pumpkin kirbes קירבעס Weather related - דער װעטער Weather veter װעטער Air Pressure luft drikung לופֿט דריקונג Atmosphere di atmosfer די אַטמאָספֿער Avalanche di lavine די לאַװינע Barometer der barometer דער באַראָמעטער Blizzard di zaverukhe די זאַװעכע Blow bluzn בלאָזן Breeze vintl װינטל Clear klor קלאָר Cloud der volkn דער װאָלקן Cloudy volkndik װאָלקנדיק Cold (adj) kalt קאַלט Cold (n) di kelt די קעלט Cyclone der tsiklon דער ציקלאָן Damp fahkht פֿײַכט rhymes with Nacht Dew der toy דער טױ Drizzle (n) dos regndl דדאָס רײגנדל Drizzle (v) shprayen שפּרײן Drought di triknkayt די טרונקײַט Dry trikn טריקן Evaporation Flood di mabl די מבול Fog der nepl דער נעפּל Foggy nepldik נעפּלדיק Frost dos gefrir דאָס געפֿרער Frosty frustik פֿראָסטיק Glacier gletsher גלעטשער Hail (n) der hugl דער האָגל Hail (v) huglen האָגלען Heat di hits די היץ Hot hays הײס rhymes with lies How's the weather? vi iz es in droysn? װי איז עס אין דרױסן? Humid dempik דעמפּיק Hurricane der huragan דער הוראַגאַן Lighten (v) blitsn בליצן Lightning der blits דער בליץ Mist der timan דער טומאַן Moon di levune די לעװאָנע Mud di blute די בלאָטע Muddy blutik בלאָטיק New Moon der moyled דער מױלעד Overcast fartsoygn פֿאַרצױגן Pour (rain) khlyapen כלײַפּען Rain (n) der reygn דער רעגן Rain (v) reygenen רעגענען Rainbow der reygn-boygn דער רעגן בױגן Rainfall skhim der regn סכום דער רעגן Rainy reygndik רעגנדיק Sleet der graypl-regn דער גרײַפּל רעגן Snow (n) der shnay דער שנײ Snow (v) shnayen שנײען Snowflake shnayele שנײעלע Snowstorm der shnayshtirem דער שנײשטורעם Snowy shnayik שנײיִק Star der shtern דער שטערן Starry oysgeshternt אױסגעשערנט Sun di zin די זון Sunny zunik זוניק Sunshine di zin די זון Thunder der duner דער דונער Tornado der tornado דער טאָרנאַדאָ Warm varem װאַרעם Warning vorenung װאָרענונג Wet nas נאַס Weather der veter דער װעטער What is the weather like today? Vos far a veter hobn mir haynt? װאָס פֿאַר אַ װעטער האָבן מיר הײַנט? What is the weather like outside? Vos far a veter es iz in droysn? װאָס פֿאַר אַ װעטער האָבן מיר הײַנט? Wind der vint דער װינט Windy vintik דער װינטיק In Yiddish there is not a lower or upper case letter system. In the Yiddish transliteration some words have taken on the upper case form for the ease of reading only or to coordinate with the English system. www.myoyvey.com Greetings and Common Expression - באַגריסונגען און אױסדרוקן Joe Katz in vaxahatshi, tekses. Joe Katz in Waxahachie, Texas Sholem-aleykhem Hello! !שלום־עליכם Aleykhem-sholem Response to sholem-aleykhm !עליכם־שלום Ikh heys Ruven. .איך הײס ראובן My name is Reuben. (Literally "I am called", from the infinitive heysn) Mayn nomen iz Beyers in ikh bin oykh fin rusland. מײן נאָמען איז בײערס און איך בין אױך פֿון רוסלאַנד My name is Beyers and I am also from Russia. מײַן נאָמען איז בײערס און איך בין אױך פֿון רוסלאנד Vus makhtsu, Katz? How are you doing, Katz? ?װאָס מאַכסטו, קאַץ Vus hert zikh? How are you? (lit. what is heard?, passive) ?װאָס הערט זיך Vi heyst ir? What is your name? ?װי הײסט איר Ikh heys yoysef katz. My name is Josef Katz. איך הײס יוסף קאַץ. Vus makht a yid? How is it going? (Lit. What does a Jew do?) Vi voynt ir? Where do you live? װאו װאױנט איר? Ikh voyn in London, England. I live in London, England. איך װױן אין לאָנדאָן, ענגלאַנד. Ikh bin geboyrn gevorn in Brailov. I was born in Brailov. איך בין געבױרן געװאָרן אין ברײלאָף. Keyn amerike bin ikh gekumen in 1913. I came to America in 1913. .קײן אַמעריקע בין איך געקומען אין 1913 Ikh bin geforn mit der shif mit a sakh andere yidn, beyde mener in froyen. I travelled by ship with many other Jews both men and women. איך בין געפֿאָרן מיט דער שיף מיט אַ סאַך אַנדערע ייִדן, בײדע מענער און פֿרױען. Di yidishe agentsyes mit dem bavustn rebenyu henry cohen hot undz zayer geholfn mit der unkim. The Jewish agencies along with the well-known Rabbi Henry Cohen helped us with our arrival. די ייִדישע אַגענציעס מיט דעם באַװוּסטן רעבעניו הענרי קאָהען האָט אונדז זײער געהאָלפֿן מיט דער אָנקום. Mayn vayb in mayne kinder zenen geblibn in rusland biz 1922. My wife and my children remained in Russia until 1922. מײַן װײַב און מײַן קינדער זענען געבליבן אין רוסלאַנד ביז 1922. Di dray eltste fin di kinder zenen geblibn in rusland zayer gants leybn. The three oldest children remain in Russia their entire life. די דרײַ עלצטע פֿון די קינדער זענען געבליבן אין רוסלאַנד זײער גאַנץ לעבן. Di dray yingste fun di kinder zenen gekumen in amerike mit zeyer mame in 1922, oykh in shif. The three youngest children arrived with their mother also by ship in 1922. דער דרײַ ייִנסטער פֿון די קינדער זענען געקומען אין אַמעריקע מיט זײער מאַמע אין 1922, אױך אין שיף. Tsvay fin der eltste kinder zenen ibergekimen di shreklekh tsvayte velt-milkhume. Two of the oldest children had survived the horrible Second World War. תּסװײ פֿון דער עלצטער קינדער זענען איבערגעקומען די שרעקלעכע צװעיטע װעלט־מילכאָמע. Mr. Beyers freygt, vus tisti far a parnuse? Mr. Beyers asks what do you do for a living? Yetst ikh bin a kremer. Nowadays I am a storekeeper. Ikh hob a klayner shpayzkrom af jackson gas in di komertzyel gegnt. I have a small grocery store on Jackson Street in the commercial district. Zayer ungenem It is nice to meet you. Es frayt mikh eich tsi kenen It is nice to meet you. Shekoyekh Thank you very much. More to come from Joe Katz of Waxahachie. More greetingsItalic text Vus hert zikh epes?? What is new? s'iz nishto kayn nayes. There is no new news. Vus nokh? What else. Zay gezint Be healthy and goodbye Abi gezint as long as you are healthy A gezint of dayn kop. Good health to you. lit (good health on your head) Zayt azoy git Please (lit. be so good {as to}) Ikh bet aykh Please Nishto far vos. You're welcome Vifl kost dos? How much does this cost? Vi iz der vashtsimer? Where is the bathroom? Hak mir nisht in kop! Don't bang my head! Fun dayn moyl in gots oyern From your mouth to G-d's ear. It's shame that the bride is too beautiful. A khasoren vi di kalleh is tsu sheyn. (An ironic phrase implying that the object spoken of has but one fault: that it is perfect.) A fool remains a fool. A nar blaybt a nar. A khazer blaybt a khazer. An unattractive girl hates the mirror. A mi'ese moyd hot faynt dem shpigl. A silent fool is half a genius. A shvaygediker nar iz a halber khokhem. As beautiful as the moon. Shayn vi di lavune. Better to die upright than to live on ones knees. Beser tsi shtarben shtayendik vi tsi leyben of di kni. Have information at your fingertips. Kenen oyf di finger. You should live and be well! A leybn oyf dir! (coloq.) / Zeit gesundt uhn shtark Adjectives - אַדיעקטיװן dear (as in either dear or expensive) tayer טייַער alive khay ancient alttsaytish אַלטצייַטיש angry broygez, bayz (bad) ברויגעז, בייַז annoying zlidne זלידנע anxious bazorgt באַזאָרגט arrogant gadlen, gayvedik גאַדלען, גייַוועדיק ashamed farshemen zikh פאַרשעמען זיך awful shlecht bad shlekht beautiful shayn bewildered farblondzshet, farloyrn big, large groys black shvarts blue bloy or blo briefly bekitser bright likhtik/lekhtik broad brayt busy farshmayet / farnimen cautious gevornt clean puts (v.) / raynik (a.) clear daytlekh / klor clever klig cloudy volkndik clumsy imgelimpert colourful filfarbik condemned fardamt confused tsemisht, farmisht, gemisht crazy, flipped-out meshige cruel akhzer crowded eng curious naygerik cute chenevdik dangers sakunes סאַקונעס dangerous mesukn / sakunesdik dark fintster darkness khoyshekh dead toyt deaf toyb defeat derekhfal depressed dershlugn different andersh difficult shver disgusting khaloshesdik dull nidne early fri elegant elegant evil shlekht or bayz excited ofgehaytert expensive tayer famous barimt fancy getsatske fast gikh / shnel fat fet, dik filthy shmitsik foolish shmo, narish frail shvakh frightened dershroken far gigantic, huge rizik grieving farklemt helpless umbaholfn horrible shreklekh hungry hungerik hurt vay tin ill krank immense, massive gvaldik impossible ummiglekh inexpensive bilik jealous kine late shpet lazy foyl little, small klayn lonely elnt long lang long ago lang tsurik loud hoyekh miniature miniyatur modern modern nasty paskudne nervous nerveyish noisy timldik obnoxious dervider odd meshune, modne old alt outstanding oysgetseykhent plain daytlekh powerful koyekhdik quiet shtil rich raykh selfish egoistish short niderik shy shemevdik silent shvaygndik sleepy shlofndik slowly pamelekh smoggy glantsik soft shtil tall hoyekh tender tsart tense ongeshpant terrible shreklekh tiny pitsink, kleyntshik tired mid troubled imri'ik ugly vredne / mi'es unusual imgeveytlekh upset tseridert vast rizik voiceless shtim wandering vanderin wild vild worried bazorgt wrong falsh young ying Colours - פארבן blackשוואַרץshvartsblueבלויbloybrownברויןbroyngoldגאָלדgoldgrayגרויgroygreenגריןgrinpinkראָזrozredרויטroytsilverזילבערzilberwhiteווײַסvaysyellowגעלgel Unverified and need original script: Hue - shatirung Orange - oranzh Purple - lila Shade - shotn Tan - bezh Violet - violet Animals - חיות antמוראשקעmurashkebearבערbercatקאַץkatschickenהוןhuncowקוkudogהונטhuntdonkeyאייזלeyzlfishפֿישfishfoxפֿוקסfuksgorillaגאָרילעgorilehippoהיפּאָפּאָטאַםhipopotamhorseפֿערדferdlionלייבleyblizardיאַשטשערקעyashtsherkemouseמויזmoyzpigחזירkhazerrabbitקינאיגלkiniglratראַץratssheepשעפּסshepssnakeשלאַנגshlangsquirrelוועווערקעveverketigerטיגערtigerturkeyאינדיקindikapeמאַלפּעmalperhinocerosנאָזהאָרןnozhornwisentװיזלטירvizltir Anatomy - אַנאַטאָמיִע Abdomen der boykh Ankle der knekhl Appendix der blinder kishes Arm der orem Artery di arterye Backbone der ruknbeyn Beard di bord Bladder der penkher Blood dos blit Body der gif / der kerper (s) Bodies di gifim Bone der beyn Bosom der buzem Brain der moyekh Brains di moyekhes Buttocks der tukhes Calf di litke Cartilage der veykhbeyn Cells di kamern Cheek di bak(n) Chest brustkastn Cure di refi'e Curl dos grayzl Diaphragm di diafragme Ear der oyer Earlocks di peyes Elbow der elnboygn Eye dos oyg Eye brows di bremen Eyelash di vie Eyelid dos ledl Face dos ponim / dos gezikht-di gezikhter Finger finger der / di finger Fingernail der nogl, di negl Fingerprint der fingerdruk Fingertip der shpits finger Fist di foyst Flesh dos layb Feet di fis Foot der fis Forehead der shtern Gall bladder di gal Gland der driz Gum di yasle Hair di hor Hand hant di Hands di hent Head der kop Headache der kopveytik Heel di pyate Hip di lend Hormones der hormon(en) Hunchback der hoyker Intestine di kishke Jaw der kin Kidney di nir Knee der kni Leg der fis Ligament dos gebind Limb der eyver Lip di lip Liver di leber Lung di lung Lymph node di lymfe Moustache di vontses Mouth dos moyl Muscle der muskl Navel der pipik Neck der kark Nerve der nerve(n) Nose di noz Organ der organ(en) Nostril di nuzlukh Palm di dlonye Pancreas der untermogn driz Pituatary gland di shlaymdriz Prostate gland Rib di rip Scalp der skalp Shoulder der aksl Skin di hoyt Skull der sharbn Spine der riknbeyn Spleen di milts Spinal chord de khut'hasye'dre Spleen di milts Stomach der mogn(s) der boukh Temple di shleyf Testicles di beytsim Thigh dikh, polke Thorax der brustkasten(s) Throat der gorgl, der haldz Thumb der groberfinger Thyroid di shildriz Tissue dos geveb(n) Tongue di tsing Tongues di tsinger Tooth der tson Teeth di tseyn(er) Umbilical cord der noplshnur Uterus di heybmuter Vein di oder Waist di talye Womb di trakht Classroom Items and Teaching with Bloom Taxonomy Needs to be alphabetised alphabet der alef bays arts der kunstwerk blackboard der tovl blocks di blokn book dos bikh calculator di rekhn mashin chalk di krayd comparison (n) farglaykhung define (n) definitsye dictionary dos verter bikh difficult kompleks or shver easy gring or nisht shver eraser oysmeker explanation (n) dikhterung fountain pen di feder(n) homework di Haymarket identification (n) identifitsirung interpretation (n) interpretatsye knowledge gebit paper dos papir paraphrase paraphrasing pencil di blayfeder recess di hafsoke(s) religious explanation (n) peyrush science di vizenshaft sheet of paper dos blat stage di stadye story di mayse(s) teacher (female) di lererin, di lererke teacher (male) der lerer note In addition to the change of the definite article from der to di for teacher, notice the difference in the ending of the words for the feminine counterpart of the occupation. For the female teacher we use the ending in and ke likewise on other occupations. myoyvey.com textbook der tekst or dos lernbukh to add tsigeybn to analyze analizir to comprehend farshteyn zikh to divide teylen to evaluate opshatsn to measure mostn to multiply farmeren zikh to show bavizn to subtract aroprekhenen to synthesize sintezirn university der universitet weekly reader dos vokhn blat or dos vokn leyener work (physical labor) arbet work (written rather than physical labor) verk Occupations - אָקופּאַציעס actor der aktyor actress di aktrise accountant der rekhenmayster, der khezhbnfirer architect der arkhitekt artisan der balmelokhe artist der kinstler athlete der atlet author der mekhaber aviator der flier, der pilot baker der beker banker der bankir barber der sherer bartender der baal-kretshme beautician der kosmetiker blacksmith der shmid bricklayer der moyerer broker der mekler builder der boyer (bauer) burglar der araynbrekher butcher der katsev candidate der kandidat cantor der khazn carpenter der stolyer cashier der kasir chairman der forzitser chauffeur der shofer chef der hoyptkokher chemist der khemiker circumciser der moyel clerk der farkoyfer coach der aynlerer coachman der balegole cobbler der shuster craftsman der balmelokhe cook der kokher criminal der farbrekher crook der ganev curator der kurator dairyman der milkhiker, der milkhhendler dancer der tentser dentist der tsondokter doctor der dokter driver der firer, der baal-agole dyer der farber editor der redaktor electrician der elektrishn (borrowed), der elektriker engineer der inzhenir entertainer farmer der poyer fireman der fayer-lesher fire fighter der fayer-lesher fisherman der fisher glazier der glezer governor guard der shoymer hairdresser di horshneider historian der geshikhter housewife di baalabuste judge der rikhter lawyer der advokat letter carrier der brivn-treger magician der kishef-makher maid di veibz-helferte marine der mariner mason der mulyer matchmaker der shatkhn mathematician der rekhens-khokhm mayor der meyor (borrowed), der shtots-graf mechanic der maynster merchant der hendler moneylender der veksler musician der klezmer nurse di krankn-shvester painter der moler pharmacist der apotek pilot der flier, der pilot plumber der plomer (borrowed) poet der dikhter, der poet police officer di politsei (sing. and pl.), der politsyant politician der politishn porter der treger postman briv treger printer der druker professor der profesor publisher redakter rabbi der ruv rebbe der rebe receptionist di maidel beim tur sailor der matros salesman der farkoyfer scientist secretary di sekreter shoemaker der shister singer der zinger soldier der soldat storekeeper der kremer surgeon tailor der shnayder teacher der lerer technician der teknik thief der ganev veterinarian der veterinar wagon driver der shmayser waiter der kelner waitress di kelnerin window cleaner writer der shraiber House items - הױז זאַכן Air Conditioner der luftkiler Apartment di dire Ashtray dos ashtetsl Attic der boydem Backdoor di hinten tir Balcony der balkn Basement der keler Bathroom der vashtsimer/der bodtsimer Bath der vane Bed di bet Bedding dos betgevant Bedroom der shloftsimer Blanket di koldre Bolt der rigl Bookcase di bikhershank, di bokhershafe Brick der tsigl Building dos gebayde/ der binyen (di binyunim Bungalow dos baydl Carpet der kobrets Ceiling di stelye Cellar der keler Cement der tsement Chair di shtul Chimney der koymen Closet der almer Computer der kompyuter Concrete der beton Couch di kanape Curtain der firhang Cushion der kishn Desk der shraybtish Dining Room der estsimer Door di tir Doorbell der tirglekl Doorstep di shvel Door knob di klyamke Drape der gardin Dresser der kamod Driveway der araynfort Fan der fokher Faucet der krant Fireplace der kamin Floor di padloge Foundation der fundament Furnace der oyvn Furniture mebl Garden der gortn Glass dos gloz Hall der zal Hinge der sharnir Key der shlisl Lamp der lomp Light dos lekht - no plural Living Room der voyntsimer Lock der shlos Mirror der shpigl Nail der tshvok Outside door di droysn tir Paint di farb Picture dos bild Pillar der zayl Pillow der kishn (s) Plaster der tink Plumbing dos vasergerer Plywood der dikht Porch der ganik Programme der program Quilt/Duvet di koldre Rafter der balkn Roof der dakh Room der tsimer Rug der tepekh/der treter Screw der shroyf Shelf di politse Shower di shprits - to have a shower - makhn zikh a shprits Sink der opgos (kitchen sink) Sofa di sofe Stairs di trep Swimming pool der shvimbasyn Table der tish Toilet der kloset Wall di vant Window der fenster Window pane di shoyb Wire der drot Wood dos holts Items Found in the House - זאַכן װאָס געפֿינט זיך אין הױז (Needs alphabetized, and spaced, also English words need highlighted) armchair fotel attic boydem bath room vashtsimer bath vane bed bet bedroom shloftsimer blanket koldre book case bikhershank carpet tepekh ceiling sufit, stelye cellar keler chair shtul cloth shtof coin matbeye computer kompyuter corridor zal couch sofe cupboard shafe curtain forhang door tir faucet kran floor podloge/der floor in the house in hoyz אין הױז/אין שטוב kitchen kikh living room gutsier mattress matrats mirror shpil (n) pillow case tsikhel pillow kishen refrigerator fridzhider roof dakh room tsimer sheet boygen shower shpritsbod soap zeyf stairs trepel table tish television televizye toilet kloset towel hantekher wall vant wardrobe garderob washing machine vashmashin window fenster Vowels - דיא װאָקאַלן Some vowels are preceded by a silent א (a shtimer alef) when they appear at the beginning of a word. אָ, אַ – pronounced the same as in Ashkenazi Hebrew (Polish: אָ is often oo as in too) ו – Litvish: oo as in too (Polish: usually pronounce ea as in read) ױ – This represents two distinct vowels. 1 Litvish: ey as in say (Polish: oy); 2 Litvish: oy as in boy (Polish: aw as in crawl); י – i as in him (Polish: also ee as in green) ײ – Litvish: ay as in say (Polish: y as in by) (Galician: ey as in say) ײַ – Litvish: y as in by (Polish: a as in car) ע – e as in bed (Polish: also ey as in prey) Prepositions - נפּרעפּאָזיציעס In front of - far Near - nuent In - In Inside - inevaynig Behind - hinter Among - tsvishn Between - tvishn Far - vayt Over - iber Under - inter On - oyf (of) At - bay Towards - vihin Everywhere - imetim Anywhere - ergets vi Classroom - דער קלאַסצימער Sheet of paper dos blat Paper dos papir Weekly reader dos vokhn blat or dos vokhn leyener Fountain pen di feyder(n) Pencil di blayfeyder Blackboard der tovl Calculator di rekhn mashin Textbook der tekst or dos lernbikh Book dos bikh di bikher Dictionary dos verter bikh University der universitet Homework di Haymarket Chalk di krayd Teacher (male) der lerer Teacher (female) di lererin, di lererke Easy gring or nisht shver Difficult kompleks or shver Eraser oysmeker Storiy di mayse(s) Alphabet der alefbays Blocks di blokn Arts der kinstwerk Stage di stadye Work (written rather than physical labor) verk Work (physical labor) arbet Recess di hafsoke(s) To measure mostn To add tsigeybn To subtract aruprekhenen To multiply farmeren zikh To divide teylen Knowledge gebit To comprehend farshteyn zikh To analyze analizir To synthesize sintezirn To evaluate opshatsn Explanation (n) dikhterung Religious explanation (n) peyrush Comparison (n) farglaykhung Interpretation (n) interpretatsye Paraphrase paraphrasing Define (n) definitsye To show bavizn Indetification (n) identifitsirung Vegetables - גרינסן vegetables artichoke green peas spinach broccoli turnip avocado radish cucumber cauliflower cabbage lettuce tomato celery cucumber radish potato carrot onion asparagus mushroom Pumpkin Verbs - װערבן Conjugating verbs with prefixes Verbs with prefixes like for example:אַרױסגײן, נאָכגײן, אױפֿמאַכן oyf(of)makhn-to open, nokhgayn-to follow and aroys (arusgayn) to go out. When conjugating these verbs one put the last part of the word first for example makhn oyf, gayn nokh, aroys gayn and so on. Lemoshl: Ikh gay aroys, di gayst aroys, er gayt aroys... ikh gay nokh, di gayst nokh, er gayt nokh... Also an adverb can be place in between the verb and prefix: Ikh gay shnel aroys, di gayst shnel aroys, un afile er gayt zayer shnel aroys in dos glaykhn... Other verbs - אַנדערע װערבן To abandon, to give up (Oplozn) ikh loz op di lozst op er lozt op mir lozn op ir lozt op zey lozn op To accomplish (Oysfirn) ikh ikh fir oys(os) di first oys (os) er firt oys (os) mir firn oys (os) ir firt oys (os) zey firn oys (os) To answer (ענטפערן Entfern) ikh entfer of dayn frage ענטפער אױף דײן פראגע di entferst er entfert mir entfern ir entfert zey entfern To approach (Tsigayn) ikh gay tsi di gayst tsi er gayt tsi mir gayen tsi ir gayt tsi zey gayen tsi To argue, to disagree with, to contradict (Opfregn) ikh freg op di fregst op er fregt op mir fregn op ir fregt op zey fregn op To arrive (unkimen) ikh kim un di kimst un er kimt un mir kimen un ir kimt un zey kimen un To ask (Fregn) ikh freg di fregst er fregt mir fregn ir fregt zey fregn To attack (Bafaln) ikh bafal di bafalst er bafalt mir bafaln ir bafalt zey bafaln To bake (Bakn) ikh bak di bakst er bakt mir bakn ir bakt zey bakn To be alive (לעבן Leybn) ikh leyb di leybst er leybt mir leybn ir leybt zey leybn To believe (גלױבען Gloybn) ikh gloyb di gloybst er gloybt mir gloybn ir gloybt zey gloybn To belong (Gehern) ikh geher di geherst er gehert mir gehern ir gehert zey gehern To bend (Beygn) ikh beyg di beygst er beygt mir beygn ir beygt zey beygn To betray (Farratn) ikh farrat di farrast er farrat mir farratn ir farrat zey farratn To better (Farbesern) ikh farbeser di farbeserst er farbesert mir farbesern ir farbesert zey farbesern To bite (Baysn) ikh bays di bayst er bayst mir baysn ir bayst zey baysn To bleed (Blitikn) ikh blitik di blitikst er blitikt mir blitikn ir blitikt zey blitikn To boil (Zidn) ikh zid di zidst er zidt mir zidn ir zidt zey zidn To borrow (Antlayen) ikh antlay di antlayst er antlayt mir antlayen ir antlayt zey antlayen To borrow (Borgn) ikh borg di borgst er borgt mir borgn ir borgt zey borgn To break (Brekhn) ikh brekh di brekhst er brekht mir brekhn ir brekht zey brekhn To breathe (Otemen) ikh otem di otemst er otemt mir otemen ir otemt zey otemen To build (Boyen) ich boy di boyst er boyt mir boyen ir boyt sei boyen To burn (Brenen) ikh bren di brenst er brent mir brenen ir brent zey brenen To burst (Platsn) ikh plats di platst er platst mir platsn ir platst zey platsn To buy (Koyfn) ikh koyf di koyfst er koyft mir koyfn ir koyft zey koyfn To calculate (Rekhn) ikh rekh di rekhst er rekht mir rekhn ir rekht zey rekhn To carry (Trogn) ikh trog di trogst er trogt mir trogn ir trogt zey trogn To catch (Khapn) ikh khap di khapst er khapt mir khapn ir khapt zey khapn To choose (Klaybn) ikh klayb di klaybst er klaybt mir klaybn ir klaybt zey klaybn To clean (Reynikn) ikh reynik di reynikst er reynikt mir reynikn ir reynikt zey reynikn To climb (Oyfkrikhn) ikh krikh oyf (of) di krikhst of er krikht of mir krikhn of ir krikht of zey krikhn of To close (Farmakhn) ikh farmakh di farmakhst er farmakht mir farmakhn ir farmakht zey farmakhn To complain (Farklogn) ich baklog di baklogst er baklogt mir baklogn ir baklogt sei baklogn To confine (Bagrenetsn) ich bagrenets di bagrenetst er bagrenetst mir bagrenetsn ir bagrenetst sei bagrenetsn To consider (Batrakhtn) ikh batrakht di batrakhst er batrakht mir batrakhtn ir batrakht zey batrakhtn To count (Tseyln) ikh tseyl di tseylst er tseylt mir tseyln ir tseylt zey tseyln To create (Bashafn) ikh bashaf di bashafst er bashaft mir bashafn ir bashaft zey bashafn To creep (Krikhn) ikh krikh di krikhst er krikht mir krikhn ir krikht zey krikhn To cry (Veynen) ikh veyn di veynst er veynt mir veynen ir veynt zey veynen To cut or chop (Hakn) ikh hak du hakst er hakt mir hakn ir hakt zey hakn To dance (Tantsn) ikh tants du tantst er tantst mir tantsn ir tantst zey tantsn To decide (Bashlisn) ikh bashlis du bashlist er bashlist mir bashlisn ir bashlist zey bashlisn To decorate (Baputsn) ikh baputs du baputst er baputst mir baputsn ir baputst zey baputsn To depart (Avekgeyn) ikh gay avek du/di gayst avek er gayt avek mir gayen avek ir gayt avek zey gayen avek To develop (Antvikln) ikh antvikl du antviklst er antviklt mir antvikln ir antviklt zey antvikln To dig (Grobn) ikh grob du grobst er grobt mir grobn ir grobt zey grobn To dive or dip (Tunken) ikh tunk du tunkst er tunkt mir tunken ir tunkt zey tunken To drag (Shlepn) ikh shlep du shlepst er shlept mir shlepn ir shlept zey shlepn To draw (Moln) ikh mol du molst er molt mir moln ir molt zey moln To dream (Troymn) ikh troym du troymst er troymt mir troymn ir troymt zey troymn To drink (Trinken) ikh trink du trinkst er trinkt mir trinken ir trinkt zey trinken To drive (Traybn) ikh trayb du traybst er traybt mir traybn ir traybt zey traybn To dry (Fartrikn) ikh fartrik du fartrikst er fartrikt mir fartrikn ir fartrikt zey fartrikn To eat (Esn) ikh es du est er est mir esn ir est zey esn To fight, struggle (Krign) ikh krig du krigst er krigt mir krign ir krigt zey krign To fish (Fishn) ikh fish du fishst er fisht mir fishn ir fisht zey fishn To fly (Flien) ikh flie du fliest er fliet mir flien ir fliet zey flien To forget (Fagesn) ikh farges du fargest er fargest mir fargesn ir fargest zey fargesn To freeze (Farfrirn) ikh farfrir du farfrirst er farfrirt mir farfrirn ir farfrirt zey farfrirn To grow (Vaksn) ikh vaks du vakst er vakst mir vaksn ir vakst zey vaksn To guard (Hitn) ikh hit du hist er hit mir hitn ir hit zey hitn To hear (Hern) ikh her du herst er hert mir hern ir hert zey hern To help (Helfn) ikh helf du helfst er helft mir helfn ir helft zey helfn To hide (Bahaltn) ikh bahalt du bahalst er bahalt mir bahaltn ir bahalt zey bahaltn To imitate (Nokhgayn) ikh gay nokh du/di gayst nokh er gayt nokh mir gayen nokh ir gayt nokh zey gayen nokh To jump (Shpringen) ikh shpring du shpringst er shpringt mir shpringen ir shpringt zey shpringen To laugh (Lakhn) ikh lakh du lakhst er lakht mir lakhn ir lakht zey lakhn To let in (Araynlosn) ikh loz arayn du lozt arayn er lozt arayn mir lozn arayn ir lozt arayn zey lozn arayn To lie (Lign) ikh lig du ligst er ligt mir lign ir ligt zey lign To look in or to peek (Araynkikn) ikh kik arayn du kikst arayn er kikt arayn mir kikn arayn ir kikt arayn zey kikn arayn To make (Makhn) ikh makh du makhst er makht mir makhn ir makht zey makhn To mix in (Araynmishn) ikh mish arayn du mishst arayn er misht arayb mir mishn arayn ir misht arayn zey mishn arayn To move (Rirn) ikh rir du rirst er rirt mir rirn ir rirt zey rirn To open (Efenen) ikh efen du efenst er efent mir efenen ir efent zey efenen To play (Shpiln) ikh shpil du shpilst er shpilt mir shpiln ir shpilt zey shpiln To print (Opdrukn) ikh drik op du drikst op er drikt op mir drikn op ir trikt op zey drikn op To put in (Araynshteln) ich shtel arayn di shtelst arayn er shtelt arayn mir shteln arayn ir shtelt arayn sei shteln arayn To pour (Gisn) ikh gis du gist er gist mir gisn ir gist zey gisn To read (Leyen) ikh ley du leyst er leyt mir leyen ir leyt zey leyen To reach a conclusion (Opgeyn) ikh gey op du geyst op er geyt op mir geyn op ir geyt op zey geyn op To recognize, to introduce (Bakenen) ich baken du bakenst er bakent mir bakenen ir bakent sei bakenen To remain (Blaybn) ikh blayb du blaybst er blaybt mir blaybn ir blaybt zey blaybn To reside (Voynen) ich voyn du voynst er voynt mir voynen ir voynt sei voynen To revolve or rotate oneself (Arimdreyen) ich drey arim du dreyst arim er dreyt arim mir dreyn arim ir dreyt arim sei dreyn arim To ring (Klingen) ikh kling du klingst er klingt mir klingen ir klingt zey klingen To rock (Farvign) ikh farvig du farvigst er farvigt mir farvign ir farvigt zey farvign To run (Loyfn) ikh loyf du loyfst er loyft mir loyfn ir loyft zey loyfn To run away or to flee (Antloyfn) ikh antloyf du antloyfst er antloyft mir antloyfn ir antloyft zey antloyfn To see (Zeyn) ikh zey du zeyst er zeyyt mir zeen ir zeyt zey zeyen men zeyt To send (Shikn) ikh shik du shikst er shikt mir shikn ir shikt zey shikn To sew (Neyn) ikh ney du neyst er neyt mir neyn ir neyt zey neyn To shake (Shoklen) ikh shokl du shoklst er shoklt mir shoklen ir shoklt zey shoklen To sleep (Shlofn) ikh shlof du shlofst er shloft mir shlofn ir shloft zey shlofn To smell (Shmekn) ikh shmek du shmekst er shmekt mir shmekn ir shmekt zey shmekn To smile (Shmeykhln) ikh shmeykhl du shmeykhlst er shmeykhlt mir shmeykhln ir shmeykhlt zey shmeykhln To stand (Oyfshteyn/iz ofgeshtanen - אױפֿשטײן/ איז אױפֿגעשטאַנען ) איך שטײ אױף Ikh shtey of דו שטײסט אױף Du/Di shtayst of ער שטײט אױף Er shteyt of מיר שטײען אױף Mir shteyen of איר שטײט אױף Ir shteyt of זײ שטײען אױף Zey shteyen of To steal (Ganvenen) ich ganven du ganvenst er ganvent mir ganvenen ir ganvent sei ganvenen To stop (Oyfheren - אױפֿהערן) איך הער אױף דו הערסט אױף ער/זי/עס הערט אױף איר הערט אױף מיר/זײ הערן אױף To surrender, to restore, to dedicate (Opgeybn/opgegeybn - אָפּגעבן/ אָפּגעגעבן) איך גיב אָפּ ikh gib op דו גיסט אָפּ du/di gist op ער/זי/עס גיט אָפּ er/zi/es git op מיר/זײ גיבן אָפּ mir/zey gibn op איך האָב אָפּגעגעבן To swallow (Shlingen) ikh shling du shlingst er shlingt mir shlingen ir shlingt zey shlingen To talk (Redn) ikh red du redst er redt mir redn ir redt zey redn To taste (Farzukhn) ikh farzukh du farzukhst er farzukht mir farzukhn ir farzukht zey farzukhn To think (Trakhtn) ikh trakht du trakhst er trakht mir trakhtn ir trakht zey trakhtn To try (Pruvn) ikh pruv du pruvst er pruvt mir pruvn ir pruvt zey pruvn To understand (Farshteyn) ikh farshtey du farshteyst er farshteyt mir farshteyn ir farshteyt zey farshteyn To want (Veln) ikh vel du velst er velt mir veln ir velt zey veln To wash (Vashn zikh - װאַשן זיך) ikh vash zikh du vashst zikh er vasht zikh mir vashn zikh ir vasht zikh zey vashn zikh To whip (Shmaysn) ikh shmays du shmayst er shmayst mir shmaysn ir shmayst zey shmaysn To whistle (Fayfn) ikh fayf du fayfst er fayft mir fayfn ir fayft zey fayfn To wish (Vintshn) ikh vintsh du vintshst er vintsht mir vintshn ir vintsht zey vintshn To write (Shraybn/ hoben geshribn) ikh shrayb du shraybst er shraybt mir shraybn ir shraybt zey shraybn Conjugating verbs Present tense Most verbs are conjugated in the same form in present tense, though there are some exceptions. The subject usually comes before the verb (like in English), but sometimes the order is reversed (like Hebrew) to change the tone (most notably, in questions). Here is an example of a regular verb: הערן – hear איך הער – I hear דו הערסט – you hear ער הערט – he hears זי הערט – she hears עס הערט – it hears מיר הערן – we hear איר הערט – you (plural or formal) hear זיי הערן – they hear Verbs that come from Hebrew are usually conjugated together with the word זײַן to be, similar to in Yeshivish (they are Modeh; he is Meyasheiv the Stirah; they are Mechaleik between them). Here is an example: מסכּים זײַן – agree איך בּין מסכּים – I agree דו בּיסט מסכּים – you agree ער/זי/עס איז מסכּים – he/she/it agrees מיר/זיי זײַנען מסכּים – we/they agree איר זענט מסכּים – you agree איך בין מסכּים געװען Ikh bin maskim geveyn Past tense Past tense is conjugated by adding the helping verb האָבּן have, and (usually) adding the letters גע to the verb. This is similar to some past tense words in English ("I have done that.") For words which come from Hebrew, זײַן becomes געווען. Here are some examples: האָבּן געהערט – heard איך האָבּ געהערט – I heard דו האָסט געהערט – you heard ער/זי/עס האָט געהערט – he/she/it heard מיר/זיי האָבּן געהערט – we/they heard איר האָט געהערט – you heard האָבּן מסכּים געווען – agreed איך האָבּ מסכּים געווען – I agreed דו האָסט מסכּים געווען – you agreed ער/זי/עס האָט מסכּים געווען – he/she/it agreed מיר/זיי האָבּן מסכּים געווען – we/they agreed איר האָט מסכּים געווען – you agreed Future tense Similar to past tense (and future tense in English), future tense is expressed by adding the helping verb װעלן will. Here are the (now familiar) examples: וועלן הערן – will hear איך װעל הערן – I will hear דו װעסט הערן – you will hear ער/זי/עס װעט הערן – he/she/it will hear מיר/זיי װעלן הערן – we/they will hear איר װעט הערן – you will hear וועלן מסכּים זײַן – will agree איך װעל מסכּים זײַן – I will agree דו װעסט מסכּים זײַן – you will agree ער/זי/עס װעט מסכּים זײַן – he/she/it will agree מיר/זיי װעלן מסכּים זײַן – we/they will agree איר װעט מסכּים זײַן – you will agree This (Explicit) There are several ways to indicate "this" in Yiddish, each increasing in strength, א שטײגער: אָט דעם מאַן קען איך אָט אָ דעם מאַן קען איך דעם אָ מאַן קען איך דעם דאָזיקן מאַן קען איך אָט דעם דאָזיקן מאַן קען איך אָט אָ דעם דאָזיקן מאַן קען איך A lot - א סאך This takes the plural verb and does not inflect. א סאך זענען נאך דא More people are still here. א סאך זענען שױן אװעק Many people have already left. Future tense איך װעל I will דו װעסט You will ער/זי װעט He/She will איר װעט You will(formal, plural) מ'װעט One will To want - װיל איך װיל א בוך I want a book - Ikh vil a bukh דוא װילסט א בוך You want a book - Di (rhymes with see) vilst a bukh ער װיל אַ בוך er (rhymes with air) vil a bukh. איר װעט אַ בוך מיר װילן אַ בוך האלטן אין האלטן אין In the middle of; in the midst of. Corresponds to the English -ing. איך האַלט אין שרײבען א בריװ Ikh halt in shraabn a briv. I'm in the middle of middle writing a letter. מיר האַלטן יעצט אין עסן We're eating now. האַלטן אין אײן האַלטן אין אײן To keep on, constantly. פארװאס האלצטו אין אײן שפּרינגען? Farvus haltsi in ayn shpringen Why do you keep jumping? זײא האַלטן אין אײן לאכן Zay (rhymes with thy) haltn in ayn (rhymes with fine) lakhn They keep laughing? See also - זעהט אױך Yiddish language Yiddish Dictionary Online https://www.cs.uky.edu/~raphael/yiddish/dictionary.cgi Hasidic grammar project The Holocaust and the widespread linguistic assimilation of Jews throughout the world have together reduced the population of Yiddish-speakers from an estimated 13 million before the Second World War to perhaps 1 million today. About half of the remaining Yiddish-speakers today are aged European Jews, often Holocaust-survivors, while the other half are chareidim, mostly Hasidim, mostly young. Unsurprisingly, most Hasidim speak a southern dialect of Yiddish which was the majority dialect pre-World War II, and is somewhat distant from the Lithuanian dialect that forms the basis for the standard YIVO pronunciation. Although the Hasidim reject some of the reforms made by the YIVO in orthography, morphology, and lexicon, their Yiddish is recognizably the same language. Though no dictionaries or grammars of Hasidic Yiddish have yet been published, a "Hasidic Standard" has nevertheless developed among the younger generations born in America, and a similar process has occurred in Hasidic communities in other parts of the world. Standardization has been assisted by such factors as geography - Hasidic groups that once lived in separate countries now inhabit the same neighborhoods in Brooklyn - by the schools, and by the Yiddish press. Hasidic Standard has much more room for variation in spelling and pronunciation than YIVO Standard, and it is more difficult for beginning students to learn. Still, the Yiddish language has radically shifted its center of gravity and it is high time to enable students to learn the Yiddish that is most widely spoken today. To that end, the Hasidic Grammar Project has been created to produce an online textbook and grammar. PHONOLOGY LEXICON Loan Words One of the most often remarked features of Hasidic Yiddish in America is the borrowing of English words on a large scale. In fact, this is not any special development on the part of the Hasidim. Yiddish-speaking Jews in America have been mixing in English since the first wave of immigration in the early 1880s. Ab. Cahan and the FORVERTS used loan words on a similar scale for many decades. Why Jews in America have been so open to loan words in comparison to Jews in Europe or Israel is not clear. MORPHOLOGY SYNTAX Yiddish language C 0%