Animals

29 phrases · Yiddish with romanization, English and audio

  1. הונט

    hunt

    Dog

    Usage

    The basic word for a dog. "דער הונט שלאָפֿט" means "the dog is sleeping"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is "הינט". It can also be an insult aimed at a woman, so never use it of a person

  2. קאַץ

    kats

    Cat

    Usage

    The basic word for a cat, handy when talking about a cat at a guesthouse or shop

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; the plural is "קעץ". A kitten is "קעצל"

  3. פֿויגל

    foygl

    Bird

    Usage

    The general word for a bird. "אַזאַ שיינער פֿויגל!" means "what a beautiful bird!"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is "פֿייגל"

  4. פֿיש

    fish

    Fish

    Usage

    The same word is used for the live animal and for fish as food. "דער פֿיש איז געל" means "the fish is yellow"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is the same "פֿיש" or "פֿישן"

  5. פֿערד

    ferd

    Horse

    Usage

    The basic word for a horse. "פֿערד לויפֿן גיך" means "horses run fast"

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun; the plural is the same "פֿערד". Said of a person it means "fool", so use it only for the animal

  6. קו

    ku

    Cow

    Usage

    The word for a cow seen on a farm. "די קו האָט געמוקעט" means "the cow mooed"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; the plural is "קי"

  7. חזיר

    khazer

    Pig

    Usage

    The word for the animal. Pork is not eaten under Jewish dietary law, so it is best not to raise it in religious settings

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun of Hebrew origin, written without vowel points; the plural is "חזירים". Aimed at a person it is an insult

  8. הון

    hun

    Hen

    Usage

    The word for a hen seen on a farm. The rooster has a separate word

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; the plural is "הינער". The rooster is "האָן"

  9. קאַטשקע

    katshke

    Duck

    Usage

    The word for a duck on a pond or farm. "אַ קאַטשקע קוואַקעט" means "a duck quacks"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; the plural is "קאַטשקעס"

  10. ציג

    tsig

    Goat

    Usage

    The word for a goat on a farm. "די ציג האָט געמעקעט" means "the goat bleated"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; the plural is "ציגן"

  11. שאָף

    shof

    Sheep

    Usage

    The word for a sheep in a pasture; it has the same form for one or many

    Grammar Note

    A noun used as either masculine or feminine; the plural is the same "שאָף"

  12. אייזל

    eyzl

    Donkey

    Usage

    The word for a donkey on a farm or at a tourist spot

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is "אייזלען". Said of a person it means "fool", so use it only for the animal

  13. האָז

    hoz

    Rabbit / hare

    Usage

    The word for a rabbit or hare. "דאָס איז אַ האָז!" means "it's a hare!"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun covering both rabbit and hare; the plural is "האָזן"

  14. מויז

    moyz

    Mouse

    Usage

    Use it to report a mouse in your room. "די מויז איז גרויס" means "the mouse is big"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; the plural is "מײַז". It also means a computer mouse

  15. פֿוקס

    fuks

    Fox

    Usage

    The word for a fox. "ס׳זעט אויס ווי אַ פֿוקס" means "it looks like a fox"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is "פֿוקסן". It is also used as a surname

  16. הירש

    hirsh

    Deer

    Usage

    The word for a deer seen in a forest or park

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is "הירשן". It is also a common male given name

  17. וואָלף

    volf

    Wolf

    Usage

    The word for a wolf. "אַ וואָלף וואויעט" means "a wolf howls"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is "וועלף"

  18. בער

    ber

    Bear

    Usage

    Use it to warn others of a bear in the mountains or forest. "דאָס איז אַ בער?" means "is that a bear?"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is "בערן". It is also used as a male given name

  19. לייב

    leyb

    Lion

    Usage

    The word for a lion at a zoo or on safari

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is "לייבן". It is also a common male given name (Leo), so do not confuse the two

  20. העלפֿאַנד

    helfand

    Elephant

    Usage

    The word for an elephant at a zoo or on safari

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is "העלפֿאַנדן"

  21. שלאַנג

    shlang

    Snake

    Usage

    Use it to warn others about a snake. Whether it is venomous has to be checked separately

    Grammar Note

    Usually a feminine noun with the plural "שלאַנגען", though some speakers use it as neuter

  22. פֿליג

    flig

    Fly

    Usage

    Use it to tell staff about a fly at the table. "דאָ איז אַ פֿליג" means "there's a fly in here"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; the plural is "פֿליגן"

  23. קאָמאַר

    komar

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Use it when you have been bitten, or when looking for mosquito repellent

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is "קאָמאַרן"

  24. שפּין

    shpin

    Spider

    Usage

    Use it when you find a spider in your room. "דאָס איז אַ שפּין?" means "is that a spider?"

    Grammar Note

    A noun used as either masculine or feminine; the plural is "שפּינען"

  25. אָדלער

    odler

    Eagle

    Usage

    Use it for a large bird of prey in the mountains or sky. "ס׳איז אַן אָדלער!" means "it's an eagle!"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is "אָדלערס"

  26. סאָווע

    sove

    Owl

    Usage

    Use it for an owl heard at night. "אַ סאָווע איז אַ פֿויגל" means "an owl is a bird"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; the plural is "סאָוועס"

  27. מאַלפּע

    malpe

    Monkey

    Usage

    The word for a monkey at a zoo or tourist spot. Keep an eye on your food and bags around them

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; the plural is "מאַלפּעס". It covers both monkeys and apes

  28. טיגער

    tiger

    Tiger

    Usage

    The word for a tiger at a zoo or on safari

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is "טיגערס"

  29. פֿלעדערמויז

    fledermoyz

    Bat

    Usage

    Use it when you find a bat indoors or in a cave. "אין הויז איז אַ פֿלעדערמויז" means "there is a bat in the house"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; the plural is "פֿלעדערמײַז". Its second half is the word for "mouse"

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