15 Common Yiddish Words You Need To Know

The Importance of Yiddish in Jewish Heritage

Long before Hebrew was considered the standard vernacular, in the Middle Ages, it was mainly reserved for religious and scholarly use. During this period, the Ashkenazi Jews of Central and Eastern Europe began speaking Yiddish, which would become the colloquial language in everyday Jewish conversation. It would go on to remain the normal means of communication for centuries, becoming the traditional form of speech and remaining both culturally and historically significant for many subsets of Judaism.

In regard to their heritage, Yiddish has played a pivotal role in Jewish cultural history because it was used in everything from traditional literature to folklore, humor, and even in the adaption of progressive slang terminology. This was not only a way for Jews to uniquely express themselves, but it also gave them a regional identity that served as a means to pass down folklore, trials and tribulations, as well as tell tales of triumph throughout history. Yiddish has helped transfer wisdom across generations and largely helped Jews band together in times of need.

The Revival of Yiddish Words in Modern Jewish Culture

While Yiddish may no longer be the standard language spoken amongst Jews, there are still a lot of Jewish words and phrases that find their way into modern speech, whether the subject using them is a Jew or not. A lot of these terms are popular expressions passed down through families, and continued use within a particular group can allow their use to make it to the outside world. A lot of times, these can be for humor or wit in small circle conversations, but they are also common during many Jewish holiday celebrations or community gatherings. In essence, the more traditional Jewish folks present, the more Yiddish you’re likely to hear. However, younger generations are prompting cultural revivals that include keeping these older languages alive, much to the surprise of their ancestors.

Yiddish Words for Endearment

If you’re looking to use Jewish words in Yiddish while trying to impress your Bashert, our members on Jdate will be the most likely people to understand this terminology. Many people can comprehend the meaning of mensch or will understand the “oy vey” meaning by the way you react to something. However, when looking to court a date, here are some terms to consider.

• Bubbe/Zaydie – These terms for “grandmother” and “grandfather,” respectively, are still used often in Jewish families, and understanding who another person is referring to with these names is valuable.
• Boychik/Bubala – This endearing term is usually meant for younger children but has often been attributed to loved ones and significant others in modern times.
• Shayne Maidel – This term directly translates to “pretty girl” and is often used when trying to show affection towards a woman you’re pursuing.
• Alter Kocker – This playful term is most closely related to “old-timer,” but is supposed to be used in good humor when joking with an elderly person.
• Mamaleh/Papaleh – These common titles for mother and father pay homage to the Yiddish dialect, and these sorts of iterations show deep family heritage.

Traditional Yiddish Words

There are also many other traditional Yiddish words that you may recall hearing in everyday society.

• Kibitz – To engage in casual conversation or offer unsolicited advice on a whim in a social setting.
• Mensch – A person of honor and integrity, especially among the community.
• Schmooze – a spontaneous, fluid conversation of unserious nature, often to pass the time or catch up with peers.
• Schlep – Someone who is carrying something weighty, either emotionally or physically demanding in their life.
• Kvetch – Whining or complaining about something trivial that has no existential value.

Preserving Yiddish Heritage

The Yiddish language is responsible for centuries of record keeping, making it extremely important when considering Jewish heritage, history, and cultural prominence throughout the ethnicity’s evolution from Europe throughout the rest of the world. Keeping the knowledge of this language, using it in active education circles, and celebrating it through institutional preservation is the best way to keep it relevant in modern culture, and those Jewish families who are intentional about keeping this vernacular tradition in regular practice in their homes will help it live on.

Jews love to use Yiddish words, and have been doing so for quite some time. Honestly, sometimes a Yiddish word is just necessary to get one’s point across. There are the common phrases, such as “oy vey!” and “noodge” and then the not so common ones, such as “schlimazl” and “tsetummelt.” Because it’s not always so clear which Yiddish words are a must for your vocabulary, I’m here today to break it down for you. Out of the thousands of options out there, I’ve pulled together this list of the 15 Yiddish words you need to know, what they mean* and how to use them in a sentence.

1. Bei Mir Bist Du Shayn
Definition: To me you’re beautiful
Example: “Don’t worry about putting on makeup; bei mir bist du shayn.” (Don’t be surprised if she laughs in your face when you say this, but it’s sweet nonetheless.)

2 .Bissel, Bissela
Definition: A little
Example: “I told myself I would not drink a lot tonight, just bissel bissela, because I have to wake up early for Soul Cycle tomorrow!”

3. Boychick
Definition: An affectionate term for a young boy
Example: “He’s so hot and comes from a great family, but he is constantly acting like a boychick. I’m 28, I need a MAN.”

4. Bubba
Definition: A grandmother
Example: “My bubba will roll over in her grave if I marry a non-Jew.”

5. Chutzpah
Definition: Nerve
Example: “Ugh! Such chutzpah! I can’t believe he texted instead of calling me to ask me out on our first date.”

6. Farpitzs
Definition: All dressed up
Example: “I think he’s going to propose tonight, so I’m going to get my nails and hair done and get farpitzs.”

7. Gornisht
Definition: Nothing
Example: “I can’t believe it; I took her home with me last night, and I got gornisht – not even a damn kiss!”

8. Kvell
Definition: To beam with pride and pleasure
Example: “My parents are kvelling because they think I’ve really found ‘the one.’”

9. Mensch
Definition: A person of character
Example: “At the end of the day, we all just want a mensch, someone we can take home to our parents that they’ll love.”

10. Mishpocha
Definition: Extended family
Example: “I can’t wait to meet my possible future mishpocha today, but I just hope they are ‘normal.’”

11. Nebbish
Definition: An inadequate person, a loser
Example: “I’m just not into him. I can’t really describe it, but he’s just ‘blah,’ very nebbish.’”

12. Shanda
Definition: A shame, a scandal
Example: “Can you even believe he slept with her best friend?! Oh, what a shanda!”

13. Shtup
Definition: An expression for sexual intercourse
Example: “I like him so much, and I really think tonight is going to be the first time we shtup.”

14. Ver Clempt
Definition: All choked up
Example: “He told me he loved me tonight! I couldn’t even say it back because I was so ver clempt.”

15. Yenta
Definition: A busybody
Example: “She knows everything going on with everyone; she’s such a yenta!”

As you can see, Yiddish is a great language. Heck, I wish I used these words more often than I already do! Personally, I think Yiddish is always acceptable, and I think your Bubba and Zeyde would agree.

* Definitions from sbjf.org