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YIDDISH DICTIONARY A - L

            A - L

       For words starting with
       the letter M - Z
       use this hyperlink      

 

     English/ Yiddish Dictionary   
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There is more than one Yiddish Dictionary in addition to this one, and if you are so inclined, you will find more choices at my link at Amazon.com by clicking here > Jewish Genealogy

 Yiddish - a combination of Hebrew, German and Slavic, reached its greatest heights immediately after WW1, but then began a slow, but steady, decline.  Before the Holocaust, some 11 million Jews spoke Yiddish, whose closest kin is Middle High German.  Yiddish is also called "Judeo-German" -- which puts it in a class with Judeo-Spanish, Judeo-Arabic, Judeo-Parsi, and many other Jewish variants on local languages.

Yiddish is a variant on High German (largely understandable today by those who speak other high German dialects, with a varied admixture of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Slavic words and phrases, and some borrowed more recently from French and English.  Yiddish vocabulary and pronunciation varied widely by country of residence and by social class.  The better educated Yiddish speakers tended to use more contemporaneous Germanic terms in preference to the more medieval words originally absorbed by Yiddish.  From a posting by Michael Bernet MBernet@aol.com on JewishGen 11/24/02

At 11:25 PM -0700 9/9/06, Jules  Levin wrote: ==Judaeo-German developed out of Medieval German, which is in many ways akin to the spoken language of today's inhabitants of small towns and villages in Southern Germany, and to current Swiss and Alsatian dialects. To this Germanic folk language, German Jews added many Hebrew words reflecting the Jewish culture--Schabbes (Sabbath), Broches (blessings),  Chassne (wedding). They also introduced many Hebrew words into their  language to create a secret language not easily penetrated by their Ganeff (thief), Pleite (bankruptcy) and also Die Ische (my wife), Christian neighbors, customers or  rivals:  Das Bajis (my house), Sus (horse), Behemes (cattle).

There has obviously  been considerable influence of Yiddish on the English language, especially in America -- but also in England.  I had assumed that the English slang term "copper" for a policeman came from the Yiddish word  khapper  -- someone who  khaps  you (i.e. grabs you or collars you).  But it turns out, disappointingly,  that "to cop" was also North-country English slang for to catch or grab. Wasn't  khapper  the Yiddish term for the police officer  who went around  grabbing young Russian Jews off the street to enlist them in the Czar's army?" From a posting by Judith Romney Wegner

It is the most important Jewish language, next to Hebrew. Although there have been many attempts to revive this this beautiful language, it has nearly disappeared.  The oldest known printed Yiddish is in a Worms, Germany prayer book from the year 1272: "gut tak im betag s wer dis makhazor in bes hakneses trag"  Yiddish is written in Hebrew characters.

Yiddish today, is spoken by fewer than 1 million people in the world.  It is not an official state language in any nation.  And it carries a reputation as the vernacular of poor, illiterate villagers.  But the mame loshn, or mother tongue of Ashkenazi Jews, has found a home in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius.

"Around the world, wherever Jews have lived, they have spoken somewhat differently from the non-Jews around them. Their languages have differed by as little as a few Hebrew words or as much as a highly variant grammar. There has been a good deal of research on a number of Jewish languages, including Yiddish, Judeo-Spanish, Judeo-Arabic, Judeo-Italian, Jewish English, and Jewish Neo-Aramaic. This website displays some of this research and the scholars who create it."  I am impressed with this site and so will you
http://www.jewish-languages.org/

Yiddish Language and Culture - Yerushe: The Minnesota Association for the Promotion of Yiddish Language and Culture - Phone 612 554 1236; email: info@yerushe.org
www.yerushe.org

"Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do)" - authored by Michael Wex and published by St. Martin's Press

Farshtaist?

Do you understand Yiddish was the secret code, therefore I don't farshtaist.
 
A biseleh maybe here and there, the rest has gone to waste.
  
Sadly when I hear it now, I only get the gist.
  
My bobeh spoke it beautifully; but me, I am tsemisht.
  
So och un vai as I should say, or even oy vai iz mir.

Though my pisk is lacking Yiddish, it's familiar to my ear.
  
And I'm no Chaim Yonkel, in fact I was shtick naches.

But when it comes Yiddish though, I'm talking out of my toches.
  
Es iz a shandeh far di kinder that I don't know it better.  
(Though it's really nishkefelecht when one needs to write a letter).

But when it comes to characters there's really no contention.
  
No other linguist can compete with honorable menshen.
    
They have nebbishes and nebechels and others without mazel.
  
Then too shmendriks and shlemiels and let's not forget shlimazels.  


These words are so precise and descriptive to the listener.  
So much better than a pill is to call someone farbissener.  
Or that a brazen woman would be better called chaleria.  
And you'll agree farklempt says more than does hysteria.  
I'm not haken dir a tsheinik and I hope I'm not a kvetch.  
But isn't mieskeit kinder than to call someone a wretch?  
Mitten derinnen, I hear bobbeh say.  
It's nechtiker tog, don't fear.  
To me you're still a maiven.  
Zol zein shah, don't fill my ear.  
Ah lieben ahf dein kepel.  
I don't mean to interrupt.  
But you are speaking narishkeit. 
And a gezunt auf dein kop!

Anonymous

Most likely the Holocaust helped make the language lose it's appeal, but also the fact that many survivors emigrated to other countries where they picked up the native language.  We see that today, with the emigration of thousands of former Russian and Ukrainian Jews now living in the United States.  Yes they still do speak Russian --- not Yiddish ---but are more likely learning and speaking more English then Yiddish.

Hebrew, German, France, Italy and Spain.  All of these countries have served to directly, or indirectly, influence the Yiddish language.  It can be safely said that since its "Modern Period" (1892 to the present), the major components of Yiddish have been basically German, Hebrew, Russian, Polish and some Spanish.  The resultant mame loshn (mother tongue) has revolved mainly around them.  Yiddish today, has had a great influence on the English language.  Think about it.  How many familiar words do we use today, that trace its roots to Yiddish?

International Association of Yiddish Clubs
http://www.derbay.org/iayc.html

An excellent dissertation on "What is Yiddish" can be found at
http://www.cyf-kr.edu.pl/~ufsitarz/yidintr.htm  

Yiddish and Judeo-Spanish: A European Heritage - lots of information on this fascinating subject at
http://209.15.64.51/hosted/english/eblul/index.html

With one click, you can select an English word and receive the Yiddish counterpart, or vice versus.  You'll have, as a reference for the future: Expressions In Yiddish; Numbers, Days, Months, Seasons, Calendar; Transliterations; Expressions; Advice, Laments, etc; Relationships with others; put downs and retorts; Work, Money, Poverty; God, Life, Family; Curses, Umgliks; Common Sense and Ethics. 

In due time, more words will be added and hopefully we'll be able to save the Yiddish language for future generations.  After all, for a Jewish genealogist, Yiddish is important for our research and what about  Fressen?

Jewish Language Research Website - wow, what a site!  Here you will find:

Bibliography of printed resources on Jewish Languages
Jewish Language
Heblang (Hebrew Language)
Ladino Komunita (Discussions in Ladino)
Sephardi/Mizrachi Studies Caucus Mailing List
Hebrew Computing
Jewish Computing -

and the list goes on and on.
http://www.jewish-languages.org/resources.html

http://www.yiddishdictionaryonline.com/

Books

Most books, CDs, etc. can be ordered through my link to Amazon.com. 

 

"2000 Idiomatic Expressions in Yiddish" - authored by Yosef Guri and published by Hebrew University Press.  430 pages.  Distributed by Magnes Press e-mail: magnes@huji.ac.il

"A Linguistic Atlas of Eastern European Yiddish" authored by Jean Jofen and published in 1964.

"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Learning Yiddish" - authored by Rabbi Benjamin Blech

"Joys of Yiddish" - authored by Leo Rosten

"Lexicon of the Yiddish Theatre", compiled by Zalmen Zylbercwaig in the Yiddish language. 

"Meshuggenary: Celebrating the World of Yiddish" - authored by Payson R. Stevens and Charles M. Levine; Sol Steinmetz, ed. and published by Simon & Schuster

"Modern English-Yiddish, Yiddish-English Dictionary" - authored by Uriel Weinreich

"Yiddish: A Nation of Words" - authored by Miriam Weinstein and published by Steerforth. tracing the fates of the Jewish people and the Yiddish language, the author begins the book by showing the warmth and enthlekhkayt of both: "We will use the language as a way to make the meandering path of Jewish history.  Then it will be time for a rest, maybe a glezele tey, a shtikl broyt, a schnapps -- a little glass of tea, a piece of bread, a drink of whiskey ..." A review can be found in the August/September issue of Hadassah Magazine by Morris Moskowitz, professor emeritus of Jewish studies at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

"Yiddish: A Small Encyclopedia" -  published by German Paperback Publishing Company.

English - Yiddish Dictionary

English words starting with the letter M through Z are found on another page.  Here is a link to go quickly to that page >
                                             M-Z

  English

  Yiddish

Transliteration

A

 

 

Abandon, To

Avekvaren

Ah-Vehk-Vahrf-In

Abandon, To

Oplozn

Awp-Lawz-N

Abandoned, Wife

Di Agune

Di-Ah-Goo-Neh

Abdomen

Der Boykh

Der Boykh

Abide, To

Blaybn

Bleib-N

Ability

Di Feikayt

Dee-Feh-Yee-Keit

Able (Adjective)

Feik

Feh-Yeek

About (concerning)

Vegn

Vegh-N

Above (Prep.)

Iber

Ee-behr

Above

Hekherr

Heh-Khehr

Above (Adv.)

Oybn

Oyb-N

Abroad

In Oysland

In-Oys-Lahnd

Absent

Felndik

Feh-Lin-Dik

Absorbed (In Thought)

Faklert

Fah-Klehrt

Abundant

A Fuleh

Ah Foo-Leh

Abundant

Shefedik

Sheh-Feh-Dik

Accent (Stress)

Der Trop

Der Trawp

Accent (Speech)

Der Aktsent

Der Ahk-Tsehnt

Accident (Mishap)

Dos Umglik

Doss Oom-Glik

Accident (Chance)

Der Tsufal

Derr Tsoo-Fahl

Accord

Der Heskem

Derr Hehs-Kim

Accountant

Der Khezhbn-Firer

Derr Khehzh-Bn-Fee-Rehr

Accurate

Pinktlekh

Peenkt-Lehkh

Accusation

Di Bashuldikung

Dee Bah-Shool-Dee-Koong

Accuse, To

Bashuldikn

Bah-Shool-Dik-N

Ache

Vey Ton

Vay-Tawn

Ache

Derr Veytik

Derr Vay-Tik

Acknowledge, To

Bashtetikn

Bah-shteh-teek-N

Acquaintance

Der Bakanter

Derr Bah-Kahn-Tehr

Acquire, To

Krign

Kreeg-N

Across

Ariber

Ah-Ree-Behr

Act, To

Handlen

Hahnd-Lehn

Act, (To Perform)

Shpiln

Shpeel-N

Act, (To Behave)

Firn Zikh

Feer-N Zikh

Act (Deed)

Di Tuung

Dee Too-Oong

Active

Aktiv

Ahk-Teev

Actor

Der Aktyor

Derr Ahk-Tyawr

Actress

Di Aktrise

Dee Ahk-Tree-Seh

Actual

Faktish

Fahk-Tish

Adequate (To Be)

Toygn

Toyg-N

Address

Der Adres

Derr Ah-Drehs

Admit to (Confess)

Moyde Zayn

May-Deh-Zein

Admit, To (Allow In)

Araynlozn

Ah-Rein-Lawz--N

Adorable

Tayer

Tei-Ehr

Adorn, To

Batsirn

Bah-Tzir-N

Adult (Adj.)

Der Dervaksener

Dehr Vahk-Sehn-Er

Adult

Der Dervaksener

Derr Vahk-Sehn-Ehr

Adultery

Der Nief

Derr Nee-Ihf

Advantage

Der Mayle

Derr Mei-Leh

Advice

Der Eytse

Derr Ay-Tseh

Advise   To

Eytsn

Ay-Tseh

Advocate

Shtitsn

Shteets-N

Affair (Matter)

Der Inven

Derr Een-Yihn

Affection

Di Libshaft

Dee Leeb-Shahft

Affectionate

Varem

Vah-Rem

Affectionate

Lieblekh

Leeb-Lehkh

Afford  To

Farginen Zikh

Fahr-Gee-Nehn-Zikh

Afraid

Dershrokn

Derr-Shrawk-N

Afternoon

Der Nokhmitog

Derr Nawkh-Mee-Tawg

After (Prep.)

Nokh

Nawkh

Afterwards

Dernokhdem

Dehr-Nawkh-Dehm

Again

Vider

Vee-Dehr

Against

Akegn

Ah-Kehg-N

Agony

Di Yesurim

Dee Yih-Soo-Rim

Agree   To

Maskim Zayn

Mahss-Kim-Zein

Agreement

Der Heskem

Der Hehs-Kim

Aid  To

Tsu Helfn

Tsoo Hehlf-N

Aim

Der Tsil

Derr Tseel

Air

Di Luft

Dee Looft

Air Conditioning

Di Luftkilung

Dee Looft-Kee-Loong

Air Mail

Di Luftpost

Dee Looft-Pawst

Airplane

Der Aeroplan

Derr Ah-Eh-Raw-Plahn

Airport

Der Fliplats

Derr Flee-Plahts

Alarm

Di Shrek

Dee Shrehk

Alike

Enlekh

Ehn-Lehkh

Alive

Lebedik

Leh-Beh-Dik

All

Gants

Gahnts

All (Every)

Ale

Ah-Leh

All (Everything)  

Alts

Ahlts

All (Entirely)

In Gantsn

In Gahnts-N

Allergy

Di Alergye

Ah-Lehrg-Yeh

Allow    To

Derloybn

Dehr-Lolyb-N

Almighty,  The

Der Eybershter

Derr Ay-Behr-Shtehr

Almond

Mandl

Mahnd-L

Almond Bread

Mandlbroyt

Mahnd-L-Broyt

Almost

Kimat

Kee-Maht

Alone

Aleyn

Ah-Layn

Aloud

Oyfn Kol

Oyf-N-Kawl

Already

Shoyn

Shoyn

Also

Oykh

Oykh

Alter, To

Iberbaytn

EE-Behr-Beit-N

Although

Khotsh

Khawch

Although

Hagem

Hah-Gahm

Altogether

In Gantsn

In-Gahnts-N

Always

Ale Mol

Ah-Leh-Mawl

Always

Tomid

Taw-Mid

Always

Shtendik

Shtehn-Dik

Am (1st person)

Bin

Been

Amazed

Dershtoynt

Derr-Shtoint

Ambition

Di Ambitsye

Di Ahm-Beets-Yehz

Ambitious

Ambitsye

Ahm-Beets-Yehz

Ambulance

Der Ambulans

Derr Ahm-Boo-Lahnss

America

Di Amerike

Ah-Meh-Ree-Kee

American

Amerikanish

Ah-Meh-Ree-Kah-Nish

Among

Tsvishn

Tsveesh-N

Amount To (Monetary)

Batrefn

Bah-Tref-N

Amusement

Di Farvaylung

Dee Fahr-Vei-Loong

An

An

Ahn

Analyze    To

Funanderklaybn

Foo-Nahn-Dehr-Kleib-N

 Aunt

Tanta (e)

Tan-tah

Aunt

Mume (Mima)

Mu-Meh

Aunty

Mume

Mu-Meh

Ancestors

Di Oves

Aw-Vehs

Ancient

Fartsaytik

Fahr-Tsei-Tik

And

Un

Oon

Angel

Di Malakh

Dee Mah-lakh

Angel of Death

Di Malakh-Amoves

Dee Mah-Lakh-Ah-Maw-ves

Anger

Der Kass

Derr Kahss

Angle

Der Vinkl

Derr Veenk-L

Angry

Broygez

Breoy-Gehz

Angry

Beyz

Bayz

Anguish

Di Peyn

Di Pein

Ankle

Dos Knekhl

Dos K-Knehhh-L

Anniversary

Der Yortog

Derr Yawr-Tawg

Announce  To

Onzogn

Awn-Zawg-N

Annoy  To

Tshepen Zikh Tsu

Cheh-Pehn Zikh-Tzu

Annual

Yerlekh

Yehr-Lekh

Annuity

Dos Yorgelt

Dos Yawr-Gehlt

Another

An Ander

Ahn-Ahn-Der

Another (one more)

Nokh A

Nawk-Ah

Ant

Di Murashke

Dee Moo-Rahsh-Keh

Antibiotic

Der Antibiotik

Derr Ahn-Tee-Bee-Aw-Tik

Anticipate  To

Rikhtn Zikh Oyf

Fikht-N Zikh Oyf

Antique

Der Antik

Derr Ahn-Teek

Anxiety

Di Umru

Dee Oom-Roo

Anxious

UmRuik

Oom-Roo-Ik

Any (Whatever)

Abi Velkher

Ah-Bee Vehl-Khehr

Anybody (Anyone)

Ver Es Iz

Vehr-Ehs Eez

Anybody (Whosoever)

Abi Ver

Ahbee-Vehr

Anything (Anybody at all)

Abi Vos

Ahbee-Voss

Anyway

Say Vi Say

Sei-Vee-Sei

Anywhere

Vu Es Iz

Voo-Ehs-Eez

Apart

Bazunder

Bah-Zoon-Dehr

Apart

Nit Tsuzamen

Nee-Tsoo-Zah-Mehn

Apartment

Di Dire

Dee Dee-Reh

Apologize  To

Betn Mekhile

Beht-N-Meh-Kee-Leh

Apostate (Jewish)

Der Meshumed

Derr Meh-Shoo-Mehd

Appalling

Groyulik

Groy-Lik

Apparatus

Der Aparat