Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

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A   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

A bisel - A little

A biseleh - A very little

A breyre hob ich - I have no alternative

A breyte deye hob'n - To do all the talking (To have the greatest say or authority)

A broch tzu Columbus - A curse on Columbus

A broch tzu dir! - A curse on you!

A broch! - Oh hell! Damn it!! A curse!!!

A brocheh - A blessing

A chazer bleibt a chazer - A pig remains a pig

A choleryeh ahf dir! - A plague on you! (Lit., wishing someone to get Cholera.)

A chorbn - Oh, what a disaster (Oh ST! an expletive)

a death in the immediate family.

A deigeh hob ich - I don't care. I should worry.

A farshlepteh krenk - A chronic ailment

A feier zol im trefen - He should burn up! (Lit., A fire should meet him.)

A finstere cholem auf dein kopf und auf dein hent und fiss - (a horrible wish on someone) A dark dream (nightmare) on your head, hands and feet!

A foiler tut in tsveyen - A lazy person has to do a task twice

A gesheft hob nicht - I don't care

A gezunt ahf dein kop! - Good health to you (lit., Good health on your head)

A glick ahf dir! - Good luck to you (Sometimes used sarcastically about minor good fortunes) Big thing!

A glick hot dich getrofen! - Big deal! Sarcastic; lit., A piece of luck happened to you.

A groyser tzuleyger - A big shot (sarcastically.)

A grubber yung - A coarse young man

A Jew's front door-jamb, in which there is a tiny scroll

A kappore - A catastrophe.

A khasuren die kalleh is tsu shayn - A fault that the bride is too beautiful

A klog iz mir! - Woe is me!

A klog tzu meineh sonim! - A curse on my enemies!

A langer lucksh - A tall person (a long noodle)

A leben ahf dein kepele - A life on your head (A grandparent might say to a grandchild meaning "you are SO smart!")

A leben ahf dir! - You should live! And be well!

A lung un leber oyf der noz - Stop talking yourself into illness! (Lit., Don't imagine a lung and a liver upon the nose)

A maidel mit a klaidel - A cutie-pie showing off her (new) dress.

A maidel mit a vayndel - A pony-tailed nymphet.

A mentsh on glik is a toyter mensh - An unlucky person is a dead person.

A mentsh tracht und Gott lacht - A person plans and God laughs.

A metsieh far a ganef - It's a steal (Lit., A bargain for a thief.)

A nahr bleibt a nahr - A fool remains a fool

A nechtiker tog! - Forget it! (Lit., "A day that's a night.")

A nishtikeit! - A nobody!

A piste kayleh - A shallow person (an empty barrel)

A ritch in kop - Crazy (in the head.)

A schwartz yor - Bad luck. (LIT., A black year)

A schwartzen sof - A bad end.

A shandeh un a charpeh - A shame and a disgrace

A sheynem dank - Thank you very much

A shittern mogn - Loose bowel movement

A shtik naches - A great joy

A shtyfer mogn - Constipated

A sof! A sof! - Let's end it ! End it!

A tuches un a halb - A person with a very large backside. (Lit., A backside and a half.)

A volf farlirt zayne hor, ober nit zayn natur - A wolf loses his hair but hot his nature. "A leopard cannot change his spots.

Abi gezunt! - As long as you're healthy!

Achrahyes - Responsibility

Afn gonif brennt das hittel - "He thinks everyone knows he committed a crime." (a thief's hat burns)

Ahf mir gezogt! - I wish it could be said about me!

Ahf tsores - In trouble

Ahf zu lochis - Spitefully (Lit: Just to get (someone) angry.)

Ahntoisht - Disappointed

Ahzes ponim - Impudent fellow

Aidel - Cultured or finicky

Aidel gepotchket - Delicately brought up

Aidim - Son-in-law

Ainikle - Grandchild

Aitzeh - Advice

Aiver butelt - Absent minded; mixed up

Alaichem sholom - To you be peace. Used in response to the the greeting Shalom aleichem.

Alef-bais - Alphabet; the first two letters of the Jewish alphabet

Aleph-baiz (-bayz) -- the alphabet; the `abcs'.

Alevei! - It should happen to me (to you)!

Aleyken sholem - Answer To Shalom aleykham

Aliyah -- (lit.,an `ascending') a return to Israel with

Alle ziben glicken - Not what it's cracked up to be (all 7 lucky things)

Alles in einem is nisht do bei keine - All in one (person) is to be found in no one.

Alrightnik - One who has succeeded

Alrightnikeh - Feminine form of "alrightnik."

Alteh moid - Spinster, old maid

Alter bocher - Bachelor

Alter bok - Old goat

Alter Kocker - An old man or old woman.

Amain, omain -- amen.

Am-ha'aretz -- a common, ordinary person -- often used

An alteh machashaifeh - An old witch

An alter bakahnter - An old acquaintance

An alter trombenick - An old bum

An emmisse meisse - An (absolutely) true tale

Apikoros - An unbeliever, a skeptic, an athiest

Arbit - Work

Arein - Come in!

Aroisgevorfen - Thrown out, wasted, (wasted opportunities)

Aroisgevorfene gelt - Thrown out money (Wasted money)

Arumgeflickt! - Plucked! Milked!

Arumloifer - Street urchin; person who runs around

Ashkenazic Jews -- one of the branches of Jews that

Averah -- sin.

Avodah -- worship; service.

Aydem - Son-in-law

Ayn klaynigkeit - Ya, sure!! (very derogatory)

Az a yor ahf mir. - I should have such good luck.

Az di bobe volt gehat beytsim volt zi geven mayn zeyde! - If my grandmother had testicles she would be my grandfather.

Az mir vill schlugen a hunt, gifintmin a schtecken - If one wants to beat a dog, one finds a stick.

Az och un vai! - Tough luck! Too bad! Misfortune!

Azoy gait es! - That's how it goes!

Azoy gich? - So soon?

Azoy vert dos kichel tzekrochen! - That's how the cookie crumbles!

Azoy? - Really?

B   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Babka - Coffee cake style pastry

Badchan - Jester, merry maker or master of ceremonies at a wedding; at the end of the meal he announces the presents, lifting them up and praising the giver and the gift in a humorous manner

Badhkin - Comedian - entertainer

Bagroben - To bury

Bais (bet, bes) din -- rabbinical court.

Baitsim - Testicles

Bal Toyreh - Learned man, scholar

Balagan -  chaos

Balbatish - Quiet, respectable, well mannered

Balebatim - Persons of high standing

Balebatisheh yiden - Respectable Jews, people of substance and good standing in the community

Baleboosteh - Mistress of the house. A compliment to someone who is a terrific housekeeper. "She is some baleboosteh!"

Baleboss -- the man of the house.

Balebuste -  Excellent homemaker

Balegoola - Truckdriver or sloppy person of low standing.

Balmalocha - An expert (sometimes used sarcastically- Oy, is he an expert!)

Balnes - Miracle-worker

Bareden yenem - To gossip

Baren (taboo) - Fornicate: bother, annoy

Barimer - Braggart, show-off

Baruch Habah -- welcome (masc.).

Bashert - Fated or predestined

Bashert zein - To be destined

Bas-yekhide - A female only child

Batampte - Tasty , delicious

Batlan - Someone without a trade or a regular means of livelihood

Baysn zikh di finger vos - Regret strongly that........

Becher - Wine goblet

Behaimeh - Animal, cow (when referring to a human being, means dull-witted)

Bei mir hust du gepoylt - You've gotten your way with me.

Benken - "To yearn for" or "to long for."

Benkshaft - Homesickness, nostalgia

Bentsh -- to bless, say a blessing.

Bentshen lecht - Recite prayer over lit candles on Sabbath eve or Holy Day candles

Ben-yokhid - A male only child

Beryeh - Efficient, competent housewife

Bes medresh - Synagogue

Bialy - Named for the Polish city of Bialystock, the bialy is of Jewish origin. A Bialy is a fairly large (about 6 inches) chewy round yeast roll. Somewhat similar to a bagel, it has a depression rather than a hole in the centre, and is sprinkled with chopped sauteed onion before baking.

Bikur cholem - Visiting the sick

Billik - Cheap, inexpensive

Binah -- wisdom.

Bist meshugeh? - Are you crazy?

Biteh - Please

Biz hundert azoi ve tsvantsik

Blondjen - To wander, be lost

B'Nai Noach -- Sons of Noah; name for non-Jews who strive

Boarderkeh - A female boarder

Boch - A punch

Bohmer - Bum (masc.)

Bohmerkeh - Bum (fem.)

Boorvisser fiss - Barefoot

Boreke borsht - Beet borsht which the wealthy could afford.

Borekes - Pastries with cheese inside

Borsht - Beet soup

Borsht circuit - Hotels in the Catskill Mountains of New York State, with an almost entirely Jewish clientele, who are fond of borsht; term is used by entertainers

Borviss - Barefoot

Botvenye borsht - Borsht made from beet leaves for the poor.

Boychik - Young boy (term of endearment)

Boykhvehtig - Stomachache

Breeye - Creature, animal

Breire - choice

Bris - Circumcision

bris, brith -- (literally) covenant; commonly refers to the

Bristen - Breasts

broche (pl. broches) -- a blessing.

Broitgeber - Head of family (Lit., Bread giver)

Bronfen - Whiskey

Broygis - Not on speaking terms

Brucha Habaha -- welcome (fem.).

B'Shalom -- in peace.

B'Shira -- in song.

B'suleh - Virgin

Bubbe maisse - Grandmother's tale.

Bubbee - Friendly term for anybody you like

Bubbegum Candy one's mother gives to her grandchildren that she never gave to her own children.

Bubbeh - Grandmother

Bubele - Darling, honey, sweetie

Bubeleh - Endearing term for anyone you like regardless of age

Bulvan - Man built like an ox; boorish, coarse, rude person

Bupkis - Nothing. Something totally worthless (Lit., Beans)

Butchke - chat, tete-a-tete, telling tales

C   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Cantor.

chacham (pl. chachamim) -- a wise person.

chachma -- wisdom.

Chag Sameach -- happy festival.

Chai - Hebrew word for LIFE, comprised of the two Hebrew letters, Chet and Yod. There is a sect of Jewish mysticism that assigns a numeric value to each letter in the Hebrew alphabet and is devoted to finding hidden meanings in the numeric values of words. The letter "Chet" has the numeric value of 8, and the letter "Yod", has the value of 10, for a total of 18.

Chaider - Religious School

Chaim Yonkel - any Tom, Dick or Harry

Chaimyankel kooternooz - The perennial cuckold

Chaleria - Evil woman. Probably derived from cholera.

Chaleshen - Faint

Challa - Ceremonial "egg" bread. Either round or shaped long. Used on Shabbat and most religious observances with the exception of Pesach (Passover)

Chaloshes - Nausea, faintness, unconsciousness

Chametz -- anything with leaven in it.

Chamoole - Donkey, jackass, numbskull, fool

Chamoyer du ainer! - You blockhead! You dope, You ass!

Chanukah - Also known as the "Festival of Lights", commemorates the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Chanukah is celebrated for 8 days during which one additional candle is added to the menorah on each night of the holiday.

Chap a gang! - Beat it! (Lit., Catch a way, catch a road)

Chap ein a meesa meshina! - "May you suffer an ugly fate!"

Chap nit! - Take it easy! Not so fast! (Lit., Don't grab)

Chaptsem - Catch him!

Chas v'cholileh! - G-d forbid!

Chasidim are widely considered to adhere strictly to

Chassene - Wedding

Chassene machen - To plan and execute a wedding.

Chassid (pl. Chassidim) -- a disciple within a branch of

chassidus -- teachings, etc., which involve Chassidim.

Chaver - Close friend

Chaver (masc.), chaverta (fem.), chavarim (pl.) --

Chavver - Friend

Chaye - Animal

Chazen - Cantor

Chazenteh - Wife of chazen (cantor)

chazzen, hazzen -- one who leads in liturgical prayer;

Chazzer - A pig (one who eats like a pig)

Chazzerei - Swill; pig's feed; anything bad, unpalatable, rotten. In other words, "junk food." This word can also be used to describe a lot of house hold or other kinds of junk.

Chazzershtal - Pigpen; slovenly kept room or house.

Cheder -- a room or school where Hebrew is taught.

Chei kuck (taboo) - Nothing, infinitesimal, worthless, unimportant (Lit., human dung)

Chelm -- a make-believe town of happy, not-too-bright

chesed -- kindness.

Chev 'r' mann - Buddy

Chevra -- group of friends.

Chmalyeh! - Bang, punch; Slam! Wallop!

Chochem - A wise man (Slang: A wise guy)

Chochmeh - Wisdom, bright saying, witticism

Choleryeh - Cholera; a curse, plague

Choshever mentsh - Man of worth and dignity; elite person; respected person

Chosid - Rabid fan

Chossen - Bridegroom

Chossen-kalleh - Bride and groom; engaged couple

Choyzik machen - Make fun of, ridicule

Chrain - Horseradish

Chropen - Snore

Chub Rachmones - "Have pity"

Chug - Activity group

Chupah - Canopy under which a bride and groom stand during marriage ceremony.

Chutzpa -- something brazenly outrageous.

Chutzpapa A father who wakes his wife at 4:00 a.m. so she can change the baby's diaper.

Chutzpeh - Brazenness, gall, baitzim

Chutzpenik - Impudent fellow

Chvalye - Ocean wave

Cohen (kohen) -- Hebrew priest.

Columbus's medina - It's not what it's cracked up to be. (Columbus's country.

D   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Danken Got! - Thank G-d!

Darf min gehn in kolledj? - For this I went to college? Usually said when describing a menial task.

Davenen - Pray

Dayan, dayyan (pl. dayanim) -- rabbinical judge.

Deigeh nisht! - Don't worry!

Déjà Nu - Having the feeling you've seen the same exasperated look on your mother's face, but not knowing exactly when.

Der mensch trakht un Gott lahkht - Man thinks (plans) and God laughs

Der oyg - Eye

Der oysdruk - Expression

Der tate oysn oyg - Just like his father

Der universitet - University

Der zokn - Old man

Derech erets - Respect

Derlebn - To live to see (I should only live to see him get married, already!)

Dershtikt zolstu veren! - You should choke on it!

Di khemye - Chemistry

Di skeyne - Old woman

Di skeynim - Old men

Die goldene medina - the golden country

Die untershte sheereh - the bottom line

Dine Essen teg - Yeshiva students would arrange to be fed by various householders on a daily basis in different houses. (Lit., Eat days)

Dingen - Bargain, hire, engage, lease, rent

Dis fayntin shneg - It's starting to snow

Dis fayntin zoraiganin - It's starting to rain

Dis-kvellified - to drop out of law school, med. school or business school as seen through the eyes of parents, grandparents and Uncle Sid. In extreme cases, simply choosing to major in art history when Irv's son David is majoring in biology is sufficient grounds for diskvellification.

Disoriyenta When Aunt Linda gets lost in a department store and strikes up a conversation with everyone she passes.

Dos gefelt mir - This pleases me

Dos hartz hot mir gezogt - My heart told me. I predicted it.

Dos iz alts - That's all.

Dos zelbeh - The same

Drai mir nit kain kop! - Don't bother me! (Lit., Don't twist my head)

Drai zich! - Keep moving!

Draikop - Scatterbrain

Drasha -- word of Torah.

Draydl -- four-sided, top-like toy used during

Dreidal - Spinning top used in a game that is associated with the holiday of Chanukah.

Drek -  inferior merchandise or work; insincere talk or excessive flattery

Drek auf dem teller - Mean spirited, valueless Lit.crap on a plate.

Drek mit Leber - Absolutely nothing; it's not worth anything.

Druchus - The sticks (way out in the wild)

Du fangst shoyn on? - Are you starting up again?

Du kannst nicht auf meinem rucken pishen unt mir sagen class es regen ist. - You can't pee on my back and tell me that it's rain!

Dumkop - Dumbbell, dunce (Lit., Dumb head)

Durkhfall - A flop or failure

dybbuk -- an evil spirit.

Dybbuk - Soul condemned to wander for a time in this world because of its sins. (To escape the perpetual torments inflicted upon it by evil spirits, the dybbuk seeks refuge in the body of some pious man or woman over whom the demons have no power. The dybbuk is a Cabalistic conception)

E   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Ech - A groan, a disparaging exclamation

Ech mir (eppes) - Humorous, disparaging remark about anything. e.g. "American Pie ech mir a movie?"

Efsher - Maybe, could be

Ei! Ei! - Yiddish exclamation equivalent to the English "Oh!"

Eingeshpahrt - Stubborn

Eingetunken - Dipped, dunked

Einhoreh - The evil eye

Eizel - Fool, dope

Ek velt - End of the world

Emitzer - Someone

Emmes -- truth.

Emunah -- faith.

Enschultig meir - "Well excuuuuuuse ME!" (Can also bu used in a non-sarcastic manner depending on the tone of voice and situation.)

Entoisht - Disappointed

Eppes - Something

Er bolbet narishkeiten - He talks nonsense

Er drayt sich arum vie a fortz in russell - He wanders around like a fart in a barrel (aimless)

Er est vi noch a krenk. - He eats as if he just recovered from a sickness.

Er frest vi a ferd. - He eats like a horse.

Er hot a makeh. - He has nothing at all (Lit., He has a boil or a minor hurt.)

Er hot nit zorg. - He hasn't got a worry.

Er iz a niderrechtiker kerl! - He's a low down good-for-nothing.

Er iz shoyn du, der nudnik! - The nuisance is here already!

Er macht a tel fun dem. - He ruins it.

Er toig (taig) nit - He's no good, worthless

Er zitst oyf shpilkes. - He's restless. (Lit., He sits on pins and needles.)

Er zol vaksen vi a tsibeleh, mit dem kop in drerd! - He should grow like an onion, with his head in the ground!

Eretz Yisrael -- the Land of Israel.

Erev Shabbat -- the eve of a Sabbath.

Es brent mir ahfen hartz. - I have a heartburn.

Es gait nit! - It doesn't work! It isn't running smoothly!

Es gefelt mir. - I like it. (Lit., It pleases, me.)

Es hot zich oysgelohzen a boydem! - Nothing came of it! (Lit., There's nothing up there but a small attic.)

Es iz (tsu) shpet. - It is (too) late.

Es iz a shandeh far di kinder! - It's a shame for the children!

Es iz nit dayn gesheft - It's none of your business.

Es ken gemolt zein. - It is conceivable. It is imaginable.

Es macht mir nit oys. - It doesn't matter to me.

Es past nit. - It is not becoming. It is not fitting.

Es tut mir a groisseh hanoeh! - It gives me great pleasure!(often said sarcastically)

Es tut mir bahng. - I'm sorry. (Lit., It sorrows me)

Es tut mir vai - It hurts me.

Es vert mir finster in di oygen. - This is a response to receiving extremely upsetting information or news. (Lit., It's getting dark in my eyes.)

Es vet gornit helfen! - Nothing will help!!

Es vet helfen vi a toiten bahnkes! - It won't help (any)! (Lit., It will help like blood-cupping on a dead body.)

Ess gezunterhait - Eat in good health

Ess vie ein foygl sheise vie ein feirt! - Eat like a bird, shit like a horse!

Ess, bench, sei a mensch - Eat, pray, don't act like a jerk!

Essen - To eat

Essen mitik - Eating midday or having dinner.

Eytse -- advice.

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F   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Faigelah - Bird (also used as a derogatory reference to a gay person).

Fantazyor - Man who builds castles in the air

Far Knaft - Engaged

Farbissener - Embittered; bitter person

Farblondzhet - Lost, bewildered, confused

Farblujet - Bending your ear

Farbrecher - Crook, conman

Fardeiget - Distressed, worried, full of care, anxiety

Fardinen a mitzveh - Earn a blessing or a merit (by doing a good deed)

Fardrai zich dem kop! - Go drive yourself crazy!

Fardross - Resentment, disappointment, sorrow

Farfolen - Lost

Farfoylt - Mildewed, rotten, decayed

Farfroyren - Frozen

Fargessen - Forgot

Farklempt - Too emotional to talk. Ready to cry. (See "Verklempt)

Farklempt fis - Not being able to walk right, clumsy as in "clumsy feet."

Farkuckt (taboo) - Dungy, shitty

Farmach dos moyl! - Shut up! Quiet. (Lit., Shut your mouth.)

Farmatert - Tired

Farmisht - Befuddled

Farmutshet - Worn out, fatigued, exhausted

Farpitzed - To get all dressed up to the "nines."

Farschimmelt - Moldy or rotten. An analogous meaning could be that a person's mind has become senile.

Farshlepteh krenk - Fruitless, endless matter (Lit., A sickness that hangs on)

Farshlugginer - Refers to a mixed-up or shaken item. Generally indicates something of little or dubious value.

Farshmeieter - Highly excitable person; always on the go

Farshnickert - Drunk, high as a kite

Farshnoshket - Loaded, drunk

Farshtaist? - You understand?

Farshtopt - Stuffed

Farshtunken - Smells bad, stinks

Farshvitst - sweaty

Fartik - finished, ready, complete

Far-tshadikt - Confused, bewildered, befuddled, as if by fumes, gas

Feelawful Indigestion from eating Israeli street food, especially falafel.

Feh! - Fooey, It stinks, It's no good

Feinkochen- Omelet, scrambled eggs

Feinshmeker - Hi falutin'

Ferd - Horse, (slang) a fool

Ferkrimpter ponim - Twisted-up, scowling face

Ferprishte punim - pimple-face

Fet - Fat, obese

Fetter - Uncle (also onkel)

Fey  - Not very nice/ Disapproving

Finster un glitshik - Miserable (Lit., Dark and slippery)

Fisfinger - Toes

Fisslach - (chickens'/duck's) feet, often in ptsha

Fliegel - Fowl's wing

Focha - Fan

Foigel - Smart guy

Foiler - Lazy man

Folg mich a gang! - Quite a distance! Why should I do it? It's hardly worth the trouble!

Folg mich! - Obey me!

Fonfen - Speak through the nose

For gezunterhait! - Bon voyage! Travel in good health!

Forshpeiz - Appetizer

Fortz - Fart

Fortz n' zovver - A foul, soul-smelling fart.

Frageh - Question

Frailech - Happy

Frassk - Slap in the face

Freilichen Yomtov -- `have a pleasant festival'.

Freint - Friend,

Fress - Eat....pig out.

Fressen - Eat like a pig, devour

Fressing - Gourmandizing (By adding the English suffix "ing" to the Yiddish word "fress", a new English word in the vocabulary of American Jews has been created.)

Froy - Woman,

Frum -- observant; orthodox.

Funfeh - Speaker's fluff, error

G   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Gadol -- (literally) huge, large, great; `great one',

Gai avek! - Go away

Gai feifen ahfen yam! - Go peddle your fish elsewhere!

Gai gezunterhait! - Go in good health

Gai in drerd arein! - Go to hell!

Gai kaken oifen yam! - Get lost (Lit: Go shit in the ocean!)

Gai mit dein kop in drerd - "Go with your head in the ground." "Stick your head in the mud"

Gai platz! - Go split your guts!

Gai shlog dein kup en vant! - Go bang your head against the wall

Gai shoyn, gai. - Scram! also, Don't be silly!

Gai strasheh di vantzen - You don't frighten me! (Lit., Go threaten the bed bugs)

Gait es nit! - It doesn't work!

Gait, gait! - Come now!

Galitsianer - Jewish native of Galicia

Galut -- the Diaspora; exile.

Gan Eden -- The Garden of Eden.

Ganef - Crook, thief, burglar, swindler, racketeer

Gants gut - Very good

Gantseh Macher - "Big shot."

Gantseh megilleh - Big deal! (derisive)

Gantseh mentsh - Manly, a whole man, a complete man; an adult; a fellow who assumes airs

Gaon -- the honorary title of a very great rabbi,

Gatkes - Long winter underwear

G-d -- a respectful way to write a common designation

Geben shoychad - To bribe

Gebentsht -- blessed.

Gebentsht mit kinder - Blessed with children

Gebentshte boych - Literally-blesses stomach (womb) (Said of a lady with a fabulous child or children,

Gebrenteh tsores - Utter misery

Gebrochener english - Fractured English

Gedainkst? - Remember?

Gedempte flaysh - Mystery meat

Gedicht - Thick, full, ample

Geferlech - Dangerous

Geharget zolstu veren! - Drop dead! (Lit., You should get killed.)

Gelaimter - Person who drops whatever he touches

Gelibteh - Beloved

Gelt - Money

Gelt gait tzu gelt. - Money goes to money.

Gelt is nisht kayn dayge - Money is not a problem.

Gembeh! - Big mouth!

Gemitlich - Slowly, unhurried, gently

Genaivisheh shtiklech - Tricky, sharp, crooked actions or doings

Genevishe oigen - Shifty eyes

Gentile or "non-Jew" are safer.

Genug iz genug. - Enough is enough!

Gesheft - Business

Geshmak - Tasty, delicious

Geshtorben - The state of being dead.

Geshtroft - Cursed, accursed; punished

Geshvollen - Swollen, puffed up (Also applied to person with haughty pride)

Get - Divorce

Getchke - Statue

Gevaldikeh Zach! - A terrible thing! (often ironically)

Gevalt geshreeyeh - good grief ("help" screamed)

Gevalt! - Heaven Forbid! (Exclamatory in the extreme.)

Gezunde tzores - Healthy troubles. Troubles one should not take too seriously.

Gezunt vi a ferd - Strong as a horse

Gezunteh moid! - Brunhilde, a big healthy dame

Gezunterhait - In good health

Gib mir nit kain einorah! - Don't give me a canary! (Americanism, Lit., Don't give me an evil eye)

Gib zich a shukl - Hurry up! (Give yourself a shake)

Gib zich a traisel - Get a move on

Gitte neshomah - good soul

Gleichvertel - Wisecrack, pun, saying, proverb, bon mot, witticism

Glezel tai - Glass of tea

Glezel varms - comforting or soothing (Lit: Glass of warmth)

Glick - Luck, piece of luck

Gloib mir! - Believe me!

Glustiyah - Enema

G'nossen tsum emess! - The sneeze confirmed the truth!

Goldeneh chasseneh - Fiftieth wedding anniversary

Golem -- an unintelligent, sub-human creature, which,

Gonif -- a thief; a dishonest, shady person.

Gopel - Fork

Gornisht - Nothing

Got in himmel! - G-d in heaven! (said in anguish, despair, fear or frustration)

Got tsu danken - Thank G-d

Got zol ophiten! - G-d forbid!

Gote-Vorte - A good piece of information or short concise Torahy commentary.

Gotteniu! - Oh G-d! (anguished cry)

Goy - Any person who is not Jewish

Goyeh - Gentile woman

Goyem                                      Any one other than jewish

Goyfer A Gentile messenger.

Goyim - Group of non-Jewish persons

Goyishe kop - Opposite of Yiddishe kop. Generally used to indicate someone who is not particularly smart or shrewd. (Definitely offensive.)

Greps - Blech; a burp if it's a mild one

Grob - Coarse, crude, profane, rough, rude

Grober - Coarse, uncouth, crude person

Grober finger - Thumb

Grois-halter - Show-off, conceited person

Groisseh gedilleh! - Big deal! (said sarcastically)

Groisser gornisht - Big good-for-nothing

Grooten - To take after, to favour.

Groyser finger - Middle finger

Guggle muggle - A concoction made of warm milk and honey for sore throats

Gunsel - A young goose. Also used to describe a young man who accompanies a tramp or a young tramp.

Gut far him! - Serves him right!

Gut gezugt - Well said

Gut Yontif - Happy Holiday

Gutte Neshome                       Good soul, person

G'vir - Rich man

H   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Haimish -- comfortable, informal, cozy.

Haimish ponem - A friendly face

Haiseh vanneh - Hot bath

Haissen - To hate

Hak flaish - Chopped meat

Hak mir nicht in tchainik (arain) - Don't get on my nerves (Lit., Don't bang my teapot.)

Hak mir nit in kop! - Stop bending my ear (Lit.; Stop banging on my head)

Haken a tsheinik - Boring, long-winded and annoying conversation; talking for the sake of talking (Lit., To bang on the tea-kettle)

Halacha -- Jewish law.

Halevai (alevai) -- if only; I hope.

Hamoyn - Common people

Handlen - To bargain; to do business

Hanoe hobn - to enjoy

Harte mogen - constipation

Hartsvaitik - Heart ache.

Hashem, Ha-Shem -- The Name; another designation for G-d.

Haskalah -- a movement among Jews similar to the

Havdala -- a ceremony indicating the end of the Sabbath.

Hebort To forget all the Hebrew one ever learned immediately after one's Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Hecher - Louder

Hechsher -- kosher certification; seal of approval.

Hefker - A mess

Heizel - Whorehouse

Hekdish - Decrepit place, a slumhouse, poorhouse; a mess

Heldish - Brave

Heldzel - Stuffed neck flesh; sort of a neck-kishke

Hendl - Chicken

Hert zich ein! - Listen here!

Heter (pl. heterim) -- halachic ruling.

Hetsken zich - Shake and dance with joy

Hikevater - Stammerer Hinten - Rear, rear parts, backside, buttocks; in the rear

Hit zich! - Look out!

Hitsik - Hothead

Hitskop - Excitable person

Hob derech erets - Have respect

Hob nit kain deiges - Don't worry

Hoben tsu zingen un tsu zogen - Have no end of trouble (Lit.,To sing and to talk)

Hobn groyse oygn - To be greedy

Hock mir nisht en chinik - Don't hit me in the head. or Dont' give me a headache.

Hoizer gaier - Beggar

Hoizirer - Peddler (from house to house)

Holishkes - Stuffed Cabbage

Host du bie mir an avleh! - So I made a mistake. So what!

Hulyen - A hellraiser

I   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Ich bin ahntoisht - I am disappointed

Ich bin dich nit mekaneh - I don't envy you

Ich darf es ahf kapores - It's good for nothing! I have no use for it. (Lit., I need it for a [useless] fowl sacrifice)

Ich darf es vi a loch in kop! - I need it like a hole in the head!

Ich eil zich (nit) - I am (not) in a hurry

Ich feif oif dir! - I despise you! Go to the devil! (Lit., I whistle on you!)

Ich gai chaleshen bald avek - I'm about to faint (from sheer exhaustion)

Ich hob dich in bod! - To hell with you! (Lit., I have you in the bath house!)

Ich hob dir lieb - I love you!

Ich hob dir! - Drop dead! Go flap you ears! (Lit., I have you....!) (Americanism!)

Ich hob es in drerd! - To hell with it.

Ich hob im feint - I hate him.

Ich hob im in bod! - To hell with him.

Ich hob mir fer pacht - I have you in my pocket. (I know you for what you are.)

Ich hob nicht kain anung - I have no idea.

Ich ken dir nisht farfeeren - I can't lead you astray

Ich loif - I'm running

Ich vais - I know

Ich vais nit. - I don't know.

Ich vel dir geben a khamalye - I'll give you such a smack

Ich vel dir geben kadoches! - I'll give you nothing! (Lit., I'll give you malaria or a fever.)

Ich yog zich nit. - I'm not in a hurry.

Ich zol azoy vissen fun tsores. - I should know as little about trouble (as I know about what you are asking me)

Iker - Substance; people of substance

Impasta - A Jew who starts eating leavened foods before the end of Passover.

In a noveneh - For a change; once in a blue moon

In di alteh guteh tseiten! - In the good old days!

In di oygn - To one's face

In drerd mein gelt! - My money went down the drain! (Lit., My money went to burial in the earth, to hell.)

In miten drinen - In the middle of; suddenly

Ininyan -- idea.

Ipish - Bad odor, stink

Ir gefelt mir zaier. - You please me a great deal.

Iz brent mir ahfen hartz. - I have a heartburn.

J   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Jewbilation - Pride in finding out that one's favorite celebrity is Jewish. 

Jewdo A traditional form of self-defense based on talking one's way out of a tight spot.

Jewish dietary laws (kashrus).

Judaism (founded in Europe in the eighteenth century).

K   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Kaas (in kaas oyf) - Angry (with)

Kabaret forshtelung - Floorshow

Kabbalah, Cabala -- (literally) tradition; the Jewish

Kabtzen, kaptsen - Pauper

Kaddish - A mourner's prayer

Kaddishel - Baby son; endearing term for a boy or man

Kadoches - Fever

Kadoches mit koshereh fodem! - Absolutely nothing! (Lit., fever with a kosher thread)

Kaftan - Long coat worn by religious Jews

Kahal -- congregation.

Kain ein horeh - No evil eye! (Some say "don't give me a canary")

Kakapitshi - Conglomeration

Kalamutneh - Dreary, gloomy, troubled

Kalleh moid - A girl of marriageable age

Kallehniu - Little bride

Kalta neshomeh - A cold soul

Kalyeh - Bad, wrong, spoiled

Kalyekeh - Cripple; misfit; also, anybody not good at their craft or sport

Kam derlebt - Narrowly achieved (Lit., hardly lived to see)

Kam mit tsores! - Barely made it! (Lit., with some troubles) The word "Kam," also is pronounced "Kom" or "Koim" depending on the region people come from.

Kam vos er kricht - Barely able to creep; Mr. Slowpoke

Kam vos er lebt - He's hardly (barely) alive.

Kamtsoness - To be miserly

Kaneh - An enema

Kaporeh, (kapores) - Atonement sacrifice; forgiveness; (slang) good for nothing

Karabeinik - Country peddler

Karger - Miser, tightwad

Kaseer - enema

Kasheh - Groats, mush cereal, buckwheat, porridge; a mess, mix-up, confusion

Kasheh varnishkes - Cooked groats and broad (or bowtie) noodles

Kashress - Kosher condition; Jewish religious dietary law

Kashrut, kashrus -- kosher observance.

Kasnik, (keisenik) - Angry person; excitable person, hot head

Kasokeh - Cross-eyed

Katchka - Duck (quack, quack)

Katshkedik (Americanism) - Ducky, swell, pleasant

Katzisher kop - Forgetful (Lit., Cat head)

Kazatskeh - Lively Russian dance

Kein briere iz oich a breire - Not to have any choice available is also a choice.

Kemfer - Fighter (usually for a cause)

Ken zein - Maybe, could be

Kenen oyf di finger - Have facts at one's fingertips

Ketzele - Kitten

Kibbitz - To offer unsolicited advice as a spectator

Kibbitzer - Meddlesome spectator

Kibbutz -- a settlers' community co-op in Israel.

Kiddish (Borai pri hagofen) - Blessing over wine on the eve of Sabbath or Festivals

Kiddush -- a prayer and ceremony used to sanctify the

Kimpetoren - Woman in labour or immediately after the delivery

Kimpet-tzettel - Childbirth amulet or charm (from the German "kind-bet-tzettel" meaning childbirth label containing Psalm 121, names of angels, patriarchs

Kind un kait - Young and old

Kinderlech - Diminutive, affectionate term for children

Kinders Shlep To transport other kids besides yours in your car.

Kippa -- a skullcap worn by observant Jewish males.

Kish mir en toches - Kiss my backside (slang)

Kishef macher - Magic-worker

Kishkeh - Stuffed derma (Sausage shaped, stuffed with a mixture of flour, onions, salt, pepper and fat to keep it together, it is boiled, roasted and sliced) Also used to describe a person's innards. "You sweat your kishkehs out to give your children an good education, and what thanks do you get?"

Klainer gornisht - Little prig (Lit., A little nothing)

Klaperkeh - Talkative woman

Klemt beim hartz - Clutches at my heartstrings

Klipeh - Gabby woman, shrew, a female demon

Klog iz mir! - Woe is me!

Klogmuter - Complainer, chronic complainer

Kloolye - A curse

Klop - Bang, a real hard punch or wallop

Klotz (klutz) - Ungraceful, awkward, clumsy person; bungler

Klotz kasheh - Foolish question; fruitless question

Kloymersht - Not in reality, pretended (Lit., as if it were)

Knacker - A big shot

Knackerke - The distaff k'nacker, but a real cutie-pie.

Knaidel (pl., k'naidlech) - Dumplings usually made of matzoh meal, cooked in soup

Knippel - Button, knot; hymen, virginity; money tied in a knot in a handkerchief

Knishes - Baked dumplings filled with potato, meat, liver or barley

Kochalain - Summer boarding house with cooking privileges (Lit., cook by yourself)

Kochedik - Petulant, excitable

Kochleffel - One who stirs up trouble; gadabout, busy-body (Lit., a cooking ladle)

Kol Nidre -- the prayer which ushers in Yom Kipper.

Kol Tuv -- all the best.

Kolboynik - Rascally know-it-all

Komisch - Funny

Kop oif di plaitses! - Good, common sense! (Lit., A head on the shoulders!)

Kopvaitik - Headache

Kosher - Jewish dietary laws based on "cleanliness". Also referring to the legitimacy of a situation. "This plan doesn't seem kosher".

Koved - Respect, honour, reverence, esteem

Krank - Sick

Krank-heit - Sickness

Krassavitseh - Beauty, a doll, beautiful woman

Krechts - Groan, moan

Krechtser - Blues singer, a moaner

Kreplach - Small pockets of dough filled with chopped meat which look like ravioli, or won ton, and are eaten in soup; (slang) nothing, valueless

Kroivim - Relatives

Krolik - Rabbit

Kuch leffel - A person who mixes into other people's business (cooking spoon)

Kugel - Pudding

Kuk im on! - Look at him!

Kukn durkh di finger oyf - Shut one's eyes to....., connive at......, wink at.....

Kum ich nisht heint, kum ich morgen - If I don't come today, I'll come tomorrow (procrastinator's slogan)

Kumen tsu gast - To visit

Kuntzen - Tricks

Kunyehlemel - Naive, clumsy, awkward person; nincompoop; Casper Milquetoast

Kuppe drek- A piece of fecal matter (s--t)

Kurveh - Whore, prostitute

Kushinyerkeh - Cheapskate; woman who comes to a store and asks for a five cents' worth of vinegar in her own bottle

K'vatsh - Boneless person, one lacking character; a whiner, weakling

K'velen - Glow with pride and happiness, beam; be delighted

K'vetsh - Whine, complain; whiner, a complainer

K'vitsh - Shriek, scream, screech

L   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Lachen mit yash-tsherkes - Forced or false laugh; laugh with anguish

Laidik-gaier - Idler, loafer

Lamden - Scholar, erudite person, learned man

Lamed Vovnik - Refers to the Hebrew number "36" and traditionally each generation produces 36 wise and righteous persons who gain the approbation of "lamed vovnik."

Lang leben zolt ir! - Long may you live!

Lange loksch - A very tall thin person , A long tall drink of water.

Lantslaite - Plural of lantsman

Lantsman - Countryman, neighbour, fellow townsman from "old country".

Lapeh - Big hand

Latke -- potato pancake.

Layseh mogen - Diarrhea

L'Chayim -- to life; to good health (as when offering a

L'chei-im, le'chayim! - To life! (the traditional Jewish toast); To your health, skol

Lebedikeh velt! - A lively world!

Lebediker - Lively person

Leben ahf dein kop! - Words of praise like; Well said! Well done! (Lit., A long life upon your head.)

Lebst a chazerishen tog! - Living high off the hog!

Leck, shmeck - Done superficially (lick, smell)

Leffel - Spoon

Leibtzudekel - Sleeveless shirt (like bib) with fringes, worn by orthodox Jews

Leiden - To suffer

Lemechel - Milquetoast, quiet person

Lemeshkeh - Milquetoast, bungler

Leshem shomaim - Idealistically, "for the sake of heaven."

Leveiyeh - Funeral

Lezem gayne - leave them be

L'hitraot --  good-bye; `see you later'. 

Lig in drerd! - Get lost! Drop dead! (Lit., Bury yourself!)

Ligner - Liar

Litvak - Lithuanian; Often used to connote shrewdness and skepticism, because the Lithuanian Jews are inclined to doubt the magic powers of the Hasidic leaders; Also, a person who speaks with the Northeastern Yiddish accent.

Lobbus - Little monster

Loch - Hole Loch in kop - Hole in the head.

Loksch - An Italian gentleman.

Lokshen - Noodles

Lokshen strop - a "cat- o- nine tails"

Lominer gaylen - Clumsy fool (a golem-Frankenstein monster -- created by the Lominer rbbe)

Lox -- smoked salmon.

Loz mich tzu ru! - Leave me alone! (Lit., Let me be in peace!)

L'Shalom -- to peace, to wholeness.

Luch in kup - A hole in the head ( " I need this like a luch in kup").

Luftmentsh - Person who has no business, trade, calling, nor income.

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M   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Machareikeh - Gimmick, contraption

Macher - big shot, person with access to authorities, man with contacts.

Machshaifeh - Witch

Maggid (pl. maggidim) -- itinerant teacher; preacher.

Maidel - Unmarried girl, teenager

Maideleh - Little girl (affectionate term)

Maisse - A story

Maisse mit a deitch - A story with a (moral) twist

Maiven - Expert, connoisseur, authority

Makeh - Plague, wound, boil, curse

mama-loshen -- mother's tongue, i.e., herway of

Mamatzah Balls - Matzo balls that are as good as your mother used to make.

Mamoshes - Substance, people of substance.

Mamzer - Bastard, disliked person, untrustworthy

Mamzerook - A naughty little boy

Mashgiach - Inspector, overseer or supervisor of Kashruth in restaurants & hotels.

Mashiach, Moshiach -- the Messiah, as defined by Jewish

Mashugga - Crazy

Matkes - Underpants

Matzilation Smashing a piece of matzo to bits while trying to

Matzo -- unleavened bread.

Maynster - Mechanic, repairman, workshop proprietor

Mayster - Master craftsman, champion,

Mayven - Expert at times meant sarcastically

Mazel Tov - Good Luck (lit) Generally used to convey "congratulations".

Me ken brechen! - You can vomit from this!

Me ken lecken di finger! - It's delicious!

Me krechts, me geht veyter - I complain and I keep going.

Me lost nit leben! - They don't let you live!

Me redt zich oys dos hartz! - Talk your heart out!

Me zogt - They say; it is said.

Mechutainista - Mother-In-Law

Mechuten - In-Law

Mechutonim - In-Laws (The parents of your child's spouse)

Megillah - A long story

Mein bobbeh's ta'am - Bad taste! Old fashioned taste!

Mein cheies gait oys! - I'm dying for it!

Meinstein - slang. "My son, the genius!"

Mekheye - An extreme pleasure, orgasmic, out of this world wonderful!

Mekler - Go-between

Melacha -- work; (specifically) one of the specified 39

Melamed -- a teacher, especially of elementary Hebrew.

Menner vash tsimmer - Men's room

Menorah -- candelabrum; usually refers to the

Mensh, mensch -- a realman; a decent, noble person.

Mentsh - A special man or person. One who can be respected.

Meshpokha - Extended family

Meshugass - Madness, insanity, craze

Meshugeh - Crazy

Meshugeh ahf toit! - Crazy as a loon. Really crazy!

Meshugeneh - Mad, crazy, insane female.

Meshugener - Mad, crazy, insane man

Meshugoyim - Crazy people

Messer - Knife

Mezuzah - Tiny box affixed to the right side of the doorway of Jewish homes containing a small portion of Deuteronomy, handwritten on parchment.

Midrash -- commentary; interpretation.

Mies - Ugly

Mieskeit - Ugly thing or person.

Mikva -- a bath for the ritual purity of Orthodox Jewish

Mikveh - Ritual bath used by women just prior to marriage as well as after each monthly cycle. This represents a "spiritual cleansing after a potential to create a new life was not actualized. There are some religious men who also use mikvehs prior to festivals and the Sabbath. Some Chassidim immerse every morning before praying.

Min tor nit - One (or you) mustn't

Mincha -- the daily religious service performed late in

Minhag -- a custom.

Minyan - Quorum of ten men necessary for holding public worship (must be over 13 years of age)

Minyastics Going to incredible lengths and troubles to find a tenth person to complete a Minyan.

Minyon -- ten male Jews required for religious services.

Mirtsishem - G-d willing

Mishegas

Mishpochadots - The assorted lipstick and make-up stains found on one's face and collar after kissing all one's aunts and cousins at a reception.

Mishpocheh -- family; ancestors; lineage.

Mitn derinnen - All of a sudden, suddenly

Mitn grobn finger - Quibbling, stretching a point

Mitzvah - Good deed

Mitzvah (pl. mitzvot) -- a commandment; good deed.

Mizinik - The youngest child in an immediate family

Mogen Dovid - Star of David

Mohel -- one who circumcises.

Moisheh kapoyer - Mr. Upside-Down! A person who does everything backwards. Not knowing what one wants.

Moshe -- Moses.

Mosser - Squealer

Moyel - Person (usually a rabbi) who performs circumcisions.

Mr. Fremder - Stranger

Mrs. Frum, (frimer) - Pious, religious, devout

Mutek - Brave

Mutshen zich - To sweat out a job

Muttelmessig - Meddlesome person, kibbitzer

N   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Na! - Here! Take it. There you have it.

Naches - Joy: Gratification, especially from children.

Naches -- pride and joy; (especially) the pleasure

Nacht falt tsu. - Night is falling; twilight

Nadan - Dowry

Nafkeh - Prostitute

Nafkeh bay-is - Whorehouse

Naidlechech - Rare thing

Nar - Fool

Nar ainer! - You fool, you!

Narish - Foolish

Narishkeit - Foolishness

Narr -- a fool.

Narrishkeit -- foolishness.

Narvez - Nervous

Nebach - It's a pity. Unlucky, pitiable person.

Nebbish - A nobody, simpleton, weakling, awkward person

Nebechel - Nothing, a pitiful person; or playing role of being one

Nechtiker tog! - He's (it's) gone! Forget it! Nonsense! (Lit., a yesterday's day)

Nechuma - Consolation

Nechvenin - To masturbate

Nem zich a vaneh! - Go take a bath! Go jump in the lake!

Neshoma -- soul.

Neshomeh - Soul, spirit

Neshomeleh - Sweetheart, sweet soul

Nifter-shmifter, a leben macht er? - What difference does it make as long as he makes a living? (Lit., nifter means deceased.)

Nishkosheh - Not so bad, satisfactory. (This has nothing to do with the word "kosher", but comes from the Hebrew and means "hard, heavy," thus "not bad."

Nisht araynton keyn finger in kalt vaser - Loaf, not do a thing, be completely inactive

Nisht fur dich gedacht! - It shouldn't happen! G-d forbid! (Lit., May we be saved from it! [sad event] )

Nisht geferlech - Not so bad, not too shabby (Lit. not dangerous.)

Nisht gefloygen, nisht getoygen - It doesn't matter

Nisht gefonfit! - Don't hedge. Don't fool around. Don't double-talk.

Nisht geshtoygen, nisht gefloygen - neither here nor there

Nisht getoygen, nisht gefloygen - It doesn't fly, it doesn't fit

Nisht getrofen! - So I guessed wrong!

Nisht gut - Not good, lousy

Nisht naitik - Not necessary

Nishtgedeiget - Don't worry; doesn't worry

Nishtgutnick - No-good person

Nishtikeit! - A nobody!

Nishtkefelecht - No big deal!

Nishtu gedacht! - It shouldn't happen! G-d forbid!

Nit ahin, nit aher - Neither here nor there

Nit gidacht gevorn. - It shouldn't come to pass.

Nit gidacht! - It shouldn't happen! (Same as nishtu gedacht)

Nit heint, nit morgen! - Not today, not tomorrow!

Nit kain farshloffener - A lively person

Nit kosher - Impure food. Also, slang, anything not good

Nito farvos! - You're welcome!

Nitsn - To use

Noch a mool - One more time

Noch nisht - Not yet

Nochshlepper - Hanger-on, unwanted follower

Nor Got vaist - Only G-d knows.

Nosh - Snack

Nosherie - Snack food

Nu, dahf men huben kinder? - Does one have children? (When a child does something bad)

Nu, shoyn! - Move, already! Hurry up! Let's go! Aren't you finished?

Nu? - So? Well?

Nudje - Annoying person, badgerer (Americanism)

Nudjen - Badger, annoy persistently

Nudnik - Pesty nagger, nuisance, a bore, obnoxious person

N'vayle - Shroud; inept person

O   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Ober yetzt? - So now? (Yetzt is also spelled itzt)

Obtshepen - Get rid of

Och un vai! - Alas and alack: woe be to it!

Oder a klop, oder a fortz (taboo) - Either too much or not enough (Lit., either a wallop or a fart)

Oder gor oder gornisht - All or nothing

Ohmain - Amen

Oi vai iz mir! - Woe is me!

Oi!! - Yiddish exclamation to denote disgust, pain, astonishment or rapture

Oi, a shkandal! - Oh, what a scandal!

Oi, gevald - Cry of anguish, suffering, frustration or for help

Oi, Vai! - Dear me! Expression of dismay or hurt

Oif tsalooches - For spite

Oisgeshtrobelt! - Overdressed woman.

Oisgeshtrozelt - Decorated (beautiful)

Oisgevapt - Flat (as in "the fizz has gone out of it.)

Ois-shteler - Braggart

Oiver botel - Absentminded: getting senile

Okurat - That's right! Ok! Absolutely! (Sarcastically: Ya' sure!) Okuratner mentsh - Orderly person

Olreitnik! - Nouveau riche!

On langeh hakdomes! - Cut it short! (Lit., without long introductions.)

Ongeblozzen - Conceited: peevish, sulky, pouting

Ongeblozzener - Stuffed shirt

Ongematert - Tired out

Ongepatshket - Cluttered, disordered, scribbled, sloppy, muddled, overly-done

Ongeshtopt - Very wealthy

Ongeshtopt mit gelt - Very wealthy; (Lit., stuffed with money)

Ongetrunken - Drunk

Ongetshepter - Bothersome hanger-on

Ongevarfen - Cluttered, disordered

Onshikenish - Hanger-on pesty nagger

Onzaltsen - Giving you the business; bribe; soft-soap; sweet-talk (Lit., to salt)

Opgeflickt! - Done in! Suckered! Milked!

Opgehitener - Pious person

Opgekrochen - Shoddy

Opgekrocheneh schoireh - Shoddy merchandise

Opgelozen(er) - Careless dresser

Opgenart - Cheated, fooled

Opnarer - Trickster, shady operator

Opnarerei - Deception

Orehman - Poor man, without means

Oremkeit - Poverty

Orthodox male's outer garment).

Ot azaih - That's how, just like that

Ot gaist du - There you go (again)

Ot kimm ich - Here I come!

Oy - A Disapproving sigh

Oy mi nisht gut gevorn - "Oh my, I'm growing weary."

oy vay! -- woe is me! (similar to "oh, no!" or

Oy vey tsu meina baina - Woe is me (down to my toes)

Oybershter in himmel - G-d in heaven

Oych a bashefenish - Also a V.I.P.! A big person! (said derogatorily, sarcastically, or in pity)

Oych mir a leben! - This too is a living! This you call a living?

Oyfen himmel a yarid! - Much ado about nothing! Impossible! (Lit., In heaven there's a big fair!)

Oyfgekumener - Come upper, upstart

Oyfn oyg - Roughly, approximately

Oyg oyf oyg - In private, face-to-face

Oys shiddech - The marriage is off!

Oysergeveynlekh - Unusual (sometimes used as "great.")

Oysgedart - Skinny, emaciated

Oysgehorevet - Exhausted

Oysgematert - Tired out, worn out

Oysgemutshet - Worked to death, tired out

Oysgeposhet - "Well grazed," in the sense of being fat.

Oysgeputst - Dressed up, overdressed; over decorated

Oysgeshprait - Spread out

Oysvurf - Outcast, bad person

Oysznoygn fun finger - Concoct, invent (a story)

P   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Paigeren - To die (animal)

Paigeren zol er! - He should drop dead!

Pamelech - Slow, slowly

Parech - Low-life, a bad man

Pareveh -- an adjective that qualifies a food,

Parnosseh - Livelihood

Parsha (pl. parshot) -- weekly Torah reading.

Parshiveh - Mean, cheap

Parshoin - He-man

Partatshnek - Inferior merchandise or work

Parveh - Neutral food, neither milchidik (dairy) nor flaishidik (meat)

Paskidnye - Rotten, terrible

Paskudnik, paskudnyak - Ugly, revolting, evil person; nasty fellow

Past nit. - It isn't proper.

Patsh - Slap, smack on the cheek

Patsh zich in tuchis und schrei "hooray" - Said to a child who complains he/she has nothing to do (slap yur backside and yell "hooray")

Patshkies around - Anglicized characterization of one who wastes time.

Patteren tseit - To lounge around; waste time

Payot -- unshorn sideburns of Orthodox Jews.

Phooey! fooey, pfui - Designates disbelief, distaste, contempt

Pilpul - hair-splitting debate.

Pinkt kahpoyer - Upside down; just the opposite

Pipek - Navel, belly button

Pishechtz - Urine

Pisher - Male infant, a little squirt, a nobody

Pisk - Slang, for mouth; insultingly, it means a big mouth, loudmouth

Pisk-Malocheh - Big talker-little doer! (man who talks a good line but does nothing)

Pitsel - Wee, tiny

Pitseler - Toddler, small child

Pitshetsh - Chronic complainer

Pitsvinik - Little nothing

Plagen - Work hard, sweat out a job, suffer

Plagen zich - To suffer

Plaplen - Chatter Plats! - Burst! Bust your guts out! Split your guts!!

Platsin zuls du - May you explode

Plimenik - Nephew

Plimenitse - Niece

Plotz - To burst

Pluchet - Heavy rain (from Polish "Plucha")

Plyoot - Bull-shitter; Loudmouth

Plyotkenitzeh - A gossip

Poo, poo, poo - Simulate spitting three times to avoid the evil eye

Pooter veren - Getting rid of (Lit: making butter)

Pooter veren fon emitzer - Getting rid of someone; eg: "ich geh' veren pooter fon ihr" - "I'm going to be getting rid of her!"

Poseyakh - Rolling out dough

Poskim -- an authoratative halachic ruling.

Potchke - Fool around or "mess" with

Potzevateh - Dimwit, someone who is "out of it."

Preplen - To mutter, mumble

Prezhinitse - Scrambled eggs with milk added.

Prietzteh - Princess; finicky girl; (having airs, giving airs; being snooty) prima donna!

Pripitchok - Long, narrow wood-burning stove

Prost - Coarse, common, vulgar

Prostaches - Low class people

Prostak - Ignorant boor, coarse person, vulgar man

Prosteh leit - Simple people, common people; vulgar, ignorant, "low class" people

Proster chamoole - Low-class shithead

Proster mentsh - Vulgar man, common man

P'shat -- simple, obvious meaning (as with a

Ptsha - Cows feet in jelly

Pulke - The upper thigh

Punim - Face

Pupik - Navel, belly button, gizzard, chicken stomachs

Pupiklech - Dish of chicken gizzards

Pushkeh - Little box for coins

Pustunpasnik - Loafer, idler

Putz - Slang word for "penis." Also used when describing someone someone as being "a jerk."

Pyesseh - A play, drama

R   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Rachmones - Compassions, mercy, pity

Rav - Rabbi, religious leader of the community

Reb - Mr., Rabbi; title given to a learned and respected man

Reb, rav, rov -- short for rebbe = rabbi.

Rebbe fon Stutz - A phrase used to explain the unexplainable. Similar to blaming something on the fairies or a mystical being.

Rebbitzen -- rabbi's wife.

Rebiniu - "Rabbi dear!" Term of endearment for a rabbi

Rebitsin - Literally, the rabbi's wife (often sarcastically applied to a woman who gives herself airs, or acts excessively pious) ; pompous woman

Rechielesnitseh - Dowdy, gossipy woman

Reden on a moss - To chatter without end

Redlshtul - Wheelchair

Redn tzu der vant - Talk in vain or to talk and receive no answer (Lit. , talk to the wall for all the good it will do you)

Redt zich ayn a kind in boich - Imaginary pregnancy (Imaginary anything)

Redt zich ayn a kreynk! - Imaginary sickness

Refuah shelaymah - [have a] full and peaceful healing.

Reich - Rich, wealthy

Reisen di hoit - Skin someone alive (Lit., to tear the skin)

Reissen - To tear

Re-shtetlement Moving from Brooklyn to Miami and finding all your old neighbors live in the same condo building as you.

Retsiche - Murder

Ribi-fish, gelt oyfen tish! - Don't ask for credit! Pay in cash in advance! Cash on the barrel-head!

Riboynoy-shel-oylom! (Hebrew) God in heaven, Master of the Universe

Richtiker chaifetz - The real article! The real McCoy!

Rirevdiker - A lively person

Rolleh - Role in a play

Rooshisher - Definitely NOT a Litvak; coming from Ukraine, White Russia; the Crimea, Russia itself.

Roseh - Mean, evil person

Rosh Hashana-na-na - A rock 'n roll band from Jewish Brooklyn.

Rossel flaysh - Yiddish refritos

Ruach in dein taten's taten arein! - Go to the devil! (Lit., A devil (curse) should enter your father's father!)

Ruf mich k'nak-nissel! - I did wrong? So call me a nut!

Ruktish - Portable table

S   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Sabbath and other Jewish holy days.

Saichel - Common sense, good sense; tact, diplomacy

Santa-shmanta The explanation Jewish children get for why they celebrate Hanukkah while the rest of the neighbors celebrate Christmas.

S'art eich? - What does it matter to you? Does it matter to you?

Schmattah -  A rag; you’re going out in that schmattah?    Schmoozing                        Talking about nothing in particular

Schmeikel - To swindle, con, fast-talk.

Schmuckluck - Finding out one's wife became pregnant after one had a vasectomy.

Schmutz,  Schmutzig, Dirt,  Dirty

Schochet - A ritual slaughterer of animals and fowl.

Schpeel - "Selling job"  I had to listen to his entire schpeel

Se brent nit! - Don't get excited! (Lit., It's not on fire!)

Se shtinkt! - It stinks!

Se zol dir grihmen in boych! - You should get a stomach cramp!

Sefer -- book.

Sephardic Jews -- one of the branches of Jews that

Sh' gootzim - Plural of shaigetz

Sha! (gently said) - Please keep quiet.

Shabbat Shalom -- [have a] peaceful Sabbath.

Shabbat, etc..

Shabbes goy - Someone doing the dirty work for others (Lit;, gentile doing work for a Jew on Sabbath)

Shabbes, Shabbos, Shabbat -- Sabbath.

Shadchen -- a professional matchmaker.

Shaigetz ainer! - Berating term for irreligious Jewish boy, one who flouts Jewish law

Shaigitz - Non-Jewish boy; wild Jewish boy

Shaile - A question

Shailo -- a judgement; ruling.

Shain vi der lavoone - As pretty as the moon

Shain vi di zibben velten - Beautiful as the seven worlds

Shaineh maidel - pretty girl

Shaineh raaineh keporah - Beautiful, clean sacrifice. Nothing to regret.

Shainer gelechter - Hearty laugh (sarcastically, Some laughter!)

Shainkeit - Beauty

Shaitel, (sheitel) - Wig (Ultra-orthodox married women cover their hair. Some use a shaitel)

Shalach mohnes - Customary gifts exchanges on Purim, usually goodies Shalom - Peace (a watchword and a greeting)

Shalom -- peace.

Shammes -- the caretaker of a synagogue.

Shamus - Sexton, beadle of the synagogue, also, the lighter taper used to light other candles on a menorah, a policeman (slang)

Shandeh - Shame or disgrace

Shandhoiz - Brothel, whorehouse

Shat, shat! Hust! - Quiet! Don't get excited

Shatnes - Proscription against wearing clothes that are mixed of wool and linen

Shav - Cold spinach soup, sorrel grass soup, sour leaves soup

Shavuah Tov -- [have a] good week.

Shaytel -- an Orthodox (Ashkenazic) Jewish woman's wig.

Shechitah -- ritual animal slaughter.

Shema -- see mezuzah.

Shemevdik - Bashful, shy

Shepen naches - Enjoy; gather pleasure, draw pleasure, especially from children

Shiddach -- an arranged marriage.

Shidech (pl., shiduchim) - Match, marriage, betrothal

Shihi-pihi - Mere nothings

Shikker - Drunkard

Shikker -- to be drunk.

Shikseh - Non-Jewish girl

Shik-yingel - Messenger

Shitter - Sparse, lean, meager

Shiva - Mourning period of seven days observed by family and friends of deceased

Shkapeh - A hag, a mare; worthless

Shkotz - Berating term for mischievous Jewish boy

Shlak - Apoplexy; a wretch, a miserable person; shoddy; shoddy merchandise

Shlang - Snake, serpent; a troublesome wife; penis (taboo)

Shlatten shammes - Communal busybody, tale bearer; messenger

Shlecht - Bad

Shlecht veib - Shrew (Lit., a bad wife)

Shlemiel - Clumsy bungler, an inept person, butter-fingered; dopey person

Shlep - Drag, carry or haul, particularly unnecessary things, parcels or baggage; to go somewhere unwillingly or where you may be unwanted

Shleppen - To drag, pull, carry, haul

Shlepper - Sponger, panhandler, hanger-on; dowdy, gossipy woman, free-loader

Shlimazel -- an unusually unlucky person.

Shlog zich kop in vant. - Break your own head! (Lit., bang your head on the wall)

Shlog zich mit Got arum! - Go fight City Hall! (Lit., Go fight with God.)

Shlogen - To beat up

Shlok - A curse; apoplexy

Shlooche - Slut

Shloof - Sleep, nap

Shlosser - Mechanic

Shlub - A jerk; a foolish, stupid or unknowing person, second rate, inferior.

Shlump - Careless dresser, untidy person; as a verb, to idle or lounge around

Shlumperdik - Unkept, sloppy

Shmaltz - Grease or fat; (slang) flattery; to sweet talk, overly praise, dramatic

Shmaltzy - Sentimental, corny

Shmatteh - Rag, anything worthless

Shmeer - The business; the whole works; to bribe, to coat like butter

Shmegegi - Buffoon, idiot, fool

Shmeichel - To butter up

Shmeis - Bang, wallop

Shmek tabik - Nothing of value (Lit., a pinch of snuff)

Shmendrik - nincompoop; an inept or indifferent person; same as shlemiel

Shmo(e) - Naive person, easy to deceive; a goof (Americanism)

Shmontses -Trifles, folly

Shmooz; (shmuess) - Chat, talk

Shmooze, schmooze -- informal and pleasurable

Shmuck (tabboo) - Self-made fool; obscene for penis: derisive term for a man

Shmulky! - A sad sack!

Shmuts - Dirt, slime

Shmutzik - Dirty, soiled

Shnapps - Whiskey, same as bronfen

Shnecken - Little fruit and nut coffee rolls

Shneider - Tailor; in gin rummy card game, to win game without opponent scoring

Shnell - Quick, quickly

Shnook - A patsy, a sucker, a sap, easy-going, person easy to impose upon, gullible

Shnorrer - A beggar who makes pretensions to respectability; sponger, a parasite

Shnur - Daughter-in-law

Shoah -- the Holocaust.

Shofar -- a ram's horn used in announcing festivals,

Shofarsogut The relief you feel when, after many attempts, the shofar is finally blown at the end of Yom Kippur.

Shohet -- a ritual slaughterer.

Shokklen - To shake

Sholem aleykham - Hello, peace be with you

Shoymer - Watchman; historically refers also to the armed Jewish watchman in the early agricultural settlements in the Holy Land

Shoymer mitzves - Pious person

Shoyn ainmol a' metsei-eh! - Really a bargain

Shoyn fargessen? - You have already forgotten?

Shoyn genug! - That's enough!

Shpatzir - A walk without a particular destination

Shpiel - Play

Shpilkes - Pins and needles

Shpits - end, the heel of the bread

Shpitsfinger - Toes

Shpitzik - Pointed sense of humour, witty, sarcastic, caustic

Shpogel nei - Brand-new

Shreklecheh zach - A terrible thing

Shtarben - To die

Shtark gehert - Smelled bad (used only in reference to food; Lit., strongly heard)

Shtark vi a ferd - Strong as a horse

Shtark, shtarker - Strong, brave

Shteln zikh oyg oyf oyg mit.... - To confront

Shtetl - Village or small town (in the "old country")

Shtik - Piece, bit: a special bit of acting

Shtik drek (taboo) - Piece of shit; shit-head

Shtik goy - Idiomatic expression for one inclined to heretical views, or ignorance of Jewish religious values

Shtik naches - Grandchild, child, or relative who gives you pleasure; a great joy

Shtikel - Small bit or piece; a morsel

Shtiklech - Tricks; small pieces

Shtilinkerait - Quietly

Shtimm zich- Shut up!

Shtoltz - Pride; unreasonably and stubbornly proud, excessive self-esteem

Shtrafeeren - To threaten

Shtrudel - Sweet cake made of paper-thin dough rolled up with various fillings

Shtuk - Trouble

Shtum - Quiet

Shtunk - A guy who doesn't smell too good; a stink (bad odor) a lousy human

Shtup - Push, shove; vulgarism for sexual intercourse

Shul - Colloquial Yiddish for synagogue

Shule - School

Shushkeh - A whisper; an aside

Shutfim - Associates

Shvach - Weak, pale

Shvachkeit - Weakness

Shvantz - tail, penis

Shvegerin - Sister-in-law

Shvengern - Be pregnant

Shver - Father-in-law; heavy, hard, difficult

Shviger - Mother-in-law

Shvindel - Fraud, deception, swindle

Shvindeldik - Dizzy, unsteady

Shvitz - Sweat, sweating

Shvitz bod - Steam bath

Shvoger - Brother-in-law

Sidder - Jewish prayer book for weekdays and Saturday

Simcha -- a happy occasion; celebration.

Simcheh - Joy; also refers to a joyous occasion

Sitzfleish - Patience that can endure sitting (Lit., sitting flesh)

Slicha -- excuse me.

Smetteneh - Sour cream; Cream

Sobaka killev - Very doggy dog

Sof kol sof - Finally

Sonem - Enemy, or someone who thwarts your success.

S'teitsh! - Listen! Hold on! How is that? How is that possible? How come?

Strasheh mich nit! - Don't threaten me!

Sufganiah (pl. sufganiot) -- jelly doughnut.

T   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Ta'am - Taste, flavor; good taste

Ta'am gan eyden - Fabulous (Lit: A taste of the Garden of Eden)

Tachlis - Practical purpose, result

Tahkeh - Really! Is that so? Certainly!

Tahkeh a metsieh - Really a bargain! (usually said with sarcasm)

Taiglech - Small pieces of baked dough or little cakes dipped in honey

Tallis - Rectangular prayer-shawl to whose four corners, fringes are attached

Tallis katan (a sort of jacket worn underneathe an

Talmid chacham -- a wise scholar and expert of the

Talmud - The complete treasury of Jewish law interpreting the Torah into livable law

Talmud Torah - The commandment to study the Law; an educational institution for orphans and poor children, supported by the community; in the United States, a Hebrew school for children

Talmud.

Tamavate - Feebleminded

Tamaveter - Feebleminded person

Tandaitneh - Inferior

Tararam - Big noise, big deal

Tashlich - Ceremony of the casting off of sins on the Jewish New Year (crumbs of bread symbolizing one's sins are cast away into a stream of water in the afternoon of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashoneh)

Tateh, tatteh, tatteh, tatteleh, tatinka, tatteniu - Father, papa, daddy, pop

Tateh-mameh, papa-mama - Parents

Tatenui - Father dear (The suffix "niu" in Yiddish is added for endearing intimacy; also, G-d is addressed this way by the pious; Tateniu-Foter means G-d, our Father

Tchotchkes - Little playthings, ornaments, bric-a-brac, toys

Tefilla -- prayer.

Tefillin -- phylacteries.

Teier - Dear, costly, expensive

Tei-yerinkeh! - Sweetheart, dearest

Temp - Dolt

Temper kop - Dullard

Teshuvah -- repentence (lit., "return").

Tinef - Junk, poorly made

T'noim - Betrothal, engagement

Toches - Buttocks, behind, fanny (ass)

Toches ahfen tish! - Put up or shut up! Let's conclude this! (Lit., Asses on the table!)

Toches in droissen - Bare behind

Toches-lecker - Brown-noser, apple-polisher, ass-kisser

Todah Rabah -- thank you.

Togshul - Day school

Toig ahf kapores! - Good for nothing! It's worth nothing!

Toomel - A noisy chaos

Torahfied Inability to remember one's lines when called to read

Traif - Forbidden food, impure, contrary to the Jewish dietary laws, non-kosher

Traifeneh bicher - Forbidden literature

Traifener bain - Jew who does not abide by Jewish law (derisive, scornful expression

Traifnyak - Despicable person; one who eats non-kosher food

Trayf -- not kosher.

Trayffic Accident - An appetizer one finds out has pork.

Trefn oyfn oyg - To make a guess

Trenen - To tear, rip

Trepsverter - Lit. step words. The zinger one thinks of in retreat. The perfect retort one summons after mulling over the insult.

Trog gezunterhait! - Wear it in good health!

Trogedik - Pregnant

Trombenik - A bum, no-good person, ne'er-do-well; a faker

Tsaddik - Pious, righteous person

Tsalooches - Spite

Tsaloochesnik - Spiteful person

Tsatskeh - Doll, plaything; something cute; an overdressed woman; a sexy girl

Tsatskeleh der mamehs! - Mother's favorite! Mother's pet!

Tsebrech a fus! - Break a leg!

Tsedrait - Nutty, crazy, screwy

Tsedraiter kop - Bungler

Tseereh - Face (usually used as put-down)

Tsegait zich in moyl - It melts in the mouth, delicious, yummy-yummy

Tsemishnich - Confusion

Tsemisht - Confused, befuddled, mixed-up

Tsevishen-shtotisheh telefonistkeh - Long distance operator

Tshatshki - Toy, doo-dad

Tshepen - To annoy, irk, plague, bother, attack

Tsigeloisen - Compassionate, rather nice

Tsiklen zich - The cantor's ecstatic repetition of a musical phrase

Tsimmes - Sweet carrot compote; (slang) a major issue made out of a minor event

Tsitskeh - Breast, teat, udder

Tsivildivit - Crazy, wild, overwhelmed with too many choices

Tsnueh - Chaste

Tsores - Troubles, misery

Tsu undzer tsukunft tzuzamen - To our future together.

Tsum glik, tsum shlimazel - For better, for worse

Tsumakhn an oyg - To fall asleep

Tsutsheppenish - Hanger-on; unwanted companion; pest; nuisance

Tsvilling - Twins

Tu mir a toiveh. - Do me a favor.

Tu mir nit kain toives. - Don't do me any favors.

Tumel - Confusion, noise, uproar

Tumler - A noise-maker (person); an agitator

Tut vai dos harts - Heartbroken

Tzaddik -- a holy, righteous man.

Tzadrait - Scattered

Tzedakah -- (literally) righteousness, justice; (loosely

Tzedakeh - Spirit of philanthropy; charity, benevolence

Tziginner bobkes - Jocular, truly valueless. Also used to describe black olives. Lit: goat droppings

Tziterdik - Tremulous or trembling

Tzitzis - Fringes attached to the four corners of the tallis

Tznius -- modesty.

Tzooris, tzuris -- trouble; woe; suffering.

Tzufil! - Too much! Too costly!

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U   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Um-be-rufen - Unqualified, uncalled for; God forbid; (A deprecation to ward off the evil eye)

Um-be-shrien - God forbid! It shouldn't happen!

Umgeduldik - Petulant

Umglick - A misfortune; (masc) A born loser; an unlucky one

Ummeglich! - Impossible!

Umshteller - Braggart

Umzist - For nothing

Un langeh hakdomes! - Cut it short! (lit., Without a long introduction)

Unter fir oygn - Privately

Unterkoifen - To bribe

Untershmeichlen - To butter up

Untervelt mentsh - Racketeer

Untn - Below

Utz - To goad, to needle

V   Jewish Yiddish Fun Dictionary

Vahksin zuls du vi a tsibeleh, mitten kup in drerd - May you grow like an onion, with your head in the ground!

Vahksin zuls du, tsu gezunt, tsu leben, tsu langeh yor - May you grow to health, to life, to long years. (Each may me said when someone sneezes)

Vai vind iz meine yoren - "Woe is me!"

Vai! - Woe, pain; usually appears as "oy vai!"

Vais ich vos - Stuff and nonsense! Says you! (Lit., Know from what)

Vaitik - An ache

Valgeren zich - Wander around aimlessly

Valgerer - Homeless wanderer

Vaneh - Bath, bathtub

Vannit - Where (from) "Fon vannit kimmt ihr?" (Where do you come from?)

Vantz - Bedbug; (slang) a nobody

Varenikehs - Round shaped noodle dough stuffed with meat, potato, etc. and fried

Varfen an oyg - To look out for; to guard; to mind (Lit., To throw an eye at)

Varnishkes - Kasha and noodles

Vart! - Wait! Hold on!

Vash-tsimmer - Bathroom, washroom

Vash-tsimmer far froyen - Ladie's room

Vash-tsimmer far menner - Men's room

Vayt fun di oygn,vayt fun hartsn - Far from the eyes, far from the heart. Equivalent to "Out of sight, out of mind."

Vechter - Watchman

Vee Geyts ? - How's it going ?

Veibernik - Debauchee

Veibershe shtiklach - Female tricks

Veis vi kalech! - Pale as a sheet!

Vek-zaiger - Alarm clock

Vemen barestu? - (taboo) Whom are you kidding? (Lit., Whom are you screwing?)

Vemen narstu? - Whom are you fooling?

Ver derharget! - Get killed! Drop dead! (Also "ver geharget)

Ver dershtikt! - Choke yourself!

Ver farblondjet! - Get lost! Go away!

Ver tsuzetst - "Go to hell" (or its equivalent)

Ver vaist? - Who knows?

Ver volt dos gegleybt? - Who would have believed it?

Veren a tel - To be ruined

Veren ferherret - To get married

Verklempt - Extremely emotional. On the verge of tears. (See "Farklempt")

Vi a barg - Large as a mountain

Vi der ruach zogt gut morgen - Where the devil says good morning! (has many meanings; usually appended to another phrase)

Vi gait dos gesheft? - How's business?

Vi gait es eich? - How goes it with you? How are you? How are you doing?

Vi gaits? - How goes it? How are things? How's tricks?

Vi haistu? - What's your name?

Vi ruft men eich? - What is your name?

Vi ruft men...? - What is the name of...?

Viazoy? - How come?

Vie Chavele tsu der geht - Literally: Like Chavele on her way to her divorce; meaning "all spruced up."

Vifil? - How much?

Vilder mentsh - A wild one; a wild person

Vilstu - Do you want...

Vo den? - What else?

Voglen - To wander around aimlessly

Voiler yung! - Roughneck (sarcastic expression)

Voncin - Bed bug

Vort -- explanation; discourse; opinion.

Vortshpiel - Pun, witticism

Vos art es (mich)? - What does it matter (to me)? What do I care?

Vos barist du? - (taboo) What are you screwing around for? What are you fooling around for?

Vos bei a nichteren oyfen lung, is bei a shikkeren oyfen tsung. - What a sober man has on his lung (mind), a drunk has on his tongue.

Vos draistu mir a kop? - What are you bothering me for? (Lit., Why are you twisting my head?)

Vos failt zai? - What are they lacking?

Vos gicher, alts besser - The faster, the better

Vos hakst du mir in kop? - What are you talking my head off for?

Vos hert zich epes nei-es? - What's new?

Vos hert zich? - What do you hear around? What's up?

Vos heyst - what does it mean?

Vos hob ich dos gedarft? - What did I need it for?

Vos iz ahfen kop, iz ahfen tsung! - What's on his mind is on his tongue!

Vos iz der chil'lek? - What difference does it make?

Vos iz der tachlis? - What's the purpose? Where does it lead to?

Vos iz di chochmeh? - What is the trick?

Vos iz di untershteh shureh? - What's the point? What's the outcome? (Lit., What on the bottom line?)

Vos iz mit dir? - What's wrong with you?

Vos iz? - What's the matter?

Vos kocht zich in teppel? - What's cooking?

Vos Machstu? - How are you? (singular)

Vos macht a yid? - How's it going?

Vos macht es mir oys? - What difference does it make to me?

Vos macht ir? - How are you? (pl.); How do you do?

Vos macht vos oys? - What difference does it make?

Vos maint es? - What does it mean?