Conversational Yiddish
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Introduction
[edit | edit source]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, but here the words are also transliterated using the YIVO system.
The Alphabet / Alefbays and guide on how to pronounce:
Vowels:
אַ Pasekh Alef = Aa as in father or o as in stock.
אָ Kumets Alef = Oo as in coffin.
אי Ii as in ski.
או Uu as in ruse.
אױ Oy oy as in boy.
אײ y as in fry, but spelled < Ay ay>.
אײַ Aa as in father or o as in stock.
ע Ee as in ten.
א Shtimer Alef (silent, vocalizes Vuv and Yid)
ב Bays= Bb as in big.
בֿ Vays= Vv as in van (used only in semitic words).
ג Giml= Gg as in game.
ד Dalet= Dd as in deal.
ה Hay= Hh as in help.
װ Vuv= Vv as in van.
ז Zayin= Zz as in zero.
ח Khes= Kh kh/ Ch ch [earlier transliteration] as in loch (Scottish).
ט Tes= Tt as in time.
יִ Yid= Yy/Jj [earlier transcription] as in yak.
כּ Kof= Kk as in kite (used only in semitic words).
כ Khof= Kh or Ch in German
ל Lamed= Ll as in light.
מ Mem= Mm as in much.
נ Nin/Nun= Nn as in next.
ס Samekh= Ss as in stone.
ע Ayin (value described above)
פּ Pay= Pp as in pill.
פֿ Fay= F as in face.
צ Tsadik= Ts ts / Tz tz [earlier transcription]
ק Kif= Kk as in kite.
ר Raysh= Rr, "gargled" as in French or German from the back of the throat, or rolled as in Italian.
ש Shin = Sh sh / Sch sch as in shell. [earlier transcription].
שׂ Sin = Ss as in stone (used only in semitic words).
תּ Tof = Tt (used only in semitic words).
ת Sof = Ss in Seth (used only in semitic words).
Letter combinations:
װ Tsvay Vuvn = Vv, (Ww as in walk.).
זש = Ss as in s in Leisure, but spelt <Zh zh>.
דזש = Jj as in Jump.
Five letters are replaced by special forms at the end of a word:
כ khof becomes ־ ךlanger khof
מ Mem becomes ־ םShlus Mem
נNin becomes ־ ןLanger Nun
פֿFay becomes ־ ףLanger Fay
צTsadik becomes ־ ץLanger tsadik
Six letters are only used in words of Hebrew origin:
בֿ Vays
ח Khes
כּ Kof
שׂ Sin
תּ Tof
ת Sof
Vocabulary - װאָקאַבולאַר
[edit | edit source]Pronouns - פערזענליכער פראנאם
- I - איך - Ikh
- You (familiar) - דו Di rhymes with see
- You (Formal) איר Ir, rhymes with beer
- He ער Er (rhymes with air)
- She - זי Zi (rhymes with bee)
- We - מיר Mir (rhymes with fear)
- they - זײ Zay (rhymes with fly)
- It - עס Es
Foods - עסנװאַרג
Vegetables
[edit | edit source]vegetables di gruntsvaig די גרונצווייג
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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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.
My name is Reuben. (Literally "I am called", from the infinitive heysn)
Mayn nomen iz Beyers in ikh bin oykh fin rusland.
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?
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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]black | שוואַרץ | shvarts |
blue | בלוי | bloy |
brown | ברוין | broyn |
gold | גאָלד | gold |
gray | גרוי | groy |
green | גרין | grin |
pink | ראָז | roz |
red | רויט | royt |
silver | זילבער | zilber |
white | ווײַס | vays |
yellow | געל | gel |
Unverified and need original script:
- Hue - shatirung
- Orange - oranzh
- Purple - lila
- Shade - shotn
- Tan - bezh
- Violet - violet
Animals - חיות
[edit | edit source]ant | מוראשקע | murashke |
bear | בער | ber |
cat | קאַץ | kats |
chicken | הון | hun |
cow | קו | ku |
dog | הונט | hunt |
donkey | אייזל | eyzl |
fish | פֿיש | fish |
fox | פֿוקס | fuks |
gorilla | גאָרילע | gorile |
hippo | היפּאָפּאָטאַם | hipopotam |
horse | פֿערד | ferd |
lion | לייב | leyb |
lizard | יאַשטשערקע | yashtsherke |
mouse | מויז | moyz |
pig | חזיר | khazer |
rabbit | קינאיגל | kinigl |
rat | ראַץ | rats |
sheep | שעפּס | sheps |
snake | שלאַנג | shlang |
squirrel | וועווערקע | veverke |
tiger | טיגער | tiger |
turkey | אינדיק | indik |
ape | מאַלפּע | malpe |
rhinoceros | נאָזהאָרן | nozhorn |
wisent | װיזלטיר | vizltir |
Anatomy - אַנאַטאָמיִע
[edit | edit source]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
Time דיא צײַט
[edit | edit source]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).
Classroom Items and Teaching with Bloom Taxonomy
[edit | edit source]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
Numbers - נומערס
[edit | edit source]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
Occupations - אָקופּאַציעס
[edit | edit source]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
Definite articles
[edit | edit source]Der (דער) is masculine (zokher in Yiddish), Dus (דאָס) is neuter (neytral in Yiddish), Di (די) is feminine (nekeyve in Yiddish) or neuter plural
Family relationships - דיא משפּחה
[edit | edit source]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
House items - הױז זאַכן
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source](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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]Be - זײַן
[edit | edit source]to be | זײַן | zayn (zine, IPA [zäɪn]) |
I am | איך בין | ikh bin |
you are | דו ביסט | di bist |
he/she/it is | ער/זי/עס איז | er/zi/es iz |
we are | מיר זענען | mir zenen |
you (pl) are | איר זײַט | ir zayt |
they are | זײ זענען | zay 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
[edit | edit source]to have | האָבן | hobn |
I have | איך האָב | ikh hob |
you have | דו האָסט | di host |
he/she has | ער/זי/עס האָט | er/zi/es hot |
we have | מיר האָבן | mir hobn |
you (pl) have | איר האָט | ir hot |
they have | זיי האָבן | zey hobn |
Go - גײן
[edit | edit source]to go | גיין | gayn |
I go | איך גיי | ikh gay |
you go | דו גייסט | d gayst |
he/she/it goes | ער/זי/עס גייט | er/zi/es gayt |
we go | מיר גייען | mir geyen |
you (pl) go | איר גייט | ir gayt |
they go | זיי גייען | zay gayen |
To Learn - לערנען זיך / To Teach - לערנען
[edit | edit source]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...
Conjugating verbs with prefixes
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]Present tense
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
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This (Explicit)
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]Hasidic grammar project
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]LEXICON
[edit | edit source]Loan Words
[edit | edit source]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.