Yiddish, a High German-derived language historically spoken by the Ashkenazi Jewish community, blends elements from Germanic, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Slavic languages. It has a rich cultural heritage and is experiencing a revival in some communities. This lesson covers essential conversational phrases and questions in Yiddish, including transliterations for pronunciation help, to facilitate various social interactions.

Greetings

• Hello/Hi – “העלא” / “שלום” (Hello / Sholem)
• Good morning – “אַ גוטן מאָרגן” (A gutn morgn)
• Good afternoon – “אַ גוטן טאָג” (A gutn tog)
• Good evening – “אַ גוטן אָוונט” (A gutn ovnt)
• Goodbye – “זײַ געזונט” (Zay gezunt)

Introducing Yourself or Others

• My name is [name]. – “מײַן נאָמען איז [name].” (Mayn nomen iz [name])
• This is [name]. – “דאָס איז [name].” (Dos iz [name])
• I am from [country]. – “איך בין פֿון [country].” (Ikh bin fun [country])
• I live in [city/place]. – “איך וואוין אין [city/place].” (Ikh voyn in [city/place])

Asking for Directions or People

• Where is the [place]? – “וווּ איז דער [place]?” (Vu iz der [place]?)
• How do I get to [place]? – “ווי קומט מען צו [place]?” (Vi kumt men tsu [place]?)
• Is this the way to [place]? – “איז דאָס דער וועג צו [place]?” (Iz dos der veg tsu [place]?)
• Can you show me on the map? – “קענסטו ווײַזן מיר אויף דער מאַפּע?” (Kenshtu vayzn mir oyf der mape?)

Solving a Misunderstanding

• Sorry, I don’t understand. – “אַנטשולדיקט, איך פֿאַרשטיי נישט.” (Entshuldikt, ikh farshtey nisht)
• Can you please repeat that? – “קענסטו דאָס ביטע ווידערהאָלן?” (Kenshtu dos bite viderholn?)
• I mean… – “איך מיין…” (Ikh mayn…)
• What does [word] mean? – “וואָס באַדײַט [word]?” (Vos bayt [word]?)

Farewell Expressions

• See you later – “ביז שפּעטער” (Biz shpeter)
• Take care – “נעם זיך אָפּ” (Nem zikh op)
• Have a good day – “האָב אַ גוטן טאָג” (Hob a gutn tog)

Travel and Dining

• I would like to book a room. – “איך וויל בוכן אַ צימער.” (Ikh vil bukhn a tsimer)
• Can I see the menu, please? – “קען איך זען דעם מעניו ביטע?” (Ken ikh zen dem menyu bite?)
• I am vegetarian. – “איך בין אַ וועגעטאַריער.” (Ikh bin a vegetaryer)
• The bill, please. – “די חשבון ביטע.” (Di kheshbn bite)

Shopping

• How much does this cost? – “וויפֿל קאָסט דאָס?” (Vifl kost dos?)
• Do you have this in another size? – “האָט איר דאָס אין אַן אַנדער גרייס?” (Hot ir dos in an ander greys?)
• I’m just looking, thanks. – “איך קוק נאָר, אַ דאַנק.” (Ikh kuk nor, a dank)
• Can I pay by card? – “קען איך צאָלן מיט אַ קאַרטל?” (Ken ikh tsoln mit a kartl?)

Dating and Love

• You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “דו זעסט אויס שיין.” (Du zest oys sheyn)
• I miss you. – “איך פֿעל דיר.” (Ikh fel dir)
• I love you. – “איך האָב דיר ליב.” (Ikh hob dir lib)
• Would you like to go out with me? – “ווילסטו גיין אויס מיט מיר?” (Vilstu gayn oys mit mir?)

Emergencies

• Help! – “הילף!” (Hilf!)
• Call the police! – “רוף די פּאָליציי!” (Ruf di politsey!)
• I need a doctor. – “איך דאַרף אַ דאָקטער.” (Ikh darf a dokter)
• Where is the nearest hospital? – “וווּ איז דער נענטסטער שפּיטאָל?” (Vu iz der nentster shpital?)

These phrases offer a solid foundation for basic communication in Yiddish. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Yiddish media, and don’t hesitate to converse with native speakers. Remember, language learning is a journey—embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and continue to explore the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of the Yiddish language.