Basic Words

1. יאָ

   yo

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic yes. The opposite is "ניין"

   Grammar Note

   Written with a komets-alef (אָ) and pronounced "o"

2. ניין

   neyn

   No

   Usage

   The basic no. To negate a verb or adjective ("not"), use "נישט"

   Grammar Note

   "ניין" is the answer "no"; inside a sentence, "not" is "נישט"

3. ביטע

   bite

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request. It is also said when handing something over ("here you are")

   Grammar Note

   It can open or close a sentence and is usually set off by a comma

4. אַ דאַנק

   A dank

   Thank you

   Usage

   The everyday way to say thanks. Stronger: "אַ שיינעם דאַנק" (thank you very much)

   Grammar Note

   Literally "a thanks"; it is used on its own like an interjection

5. זײַט מוחל

   Zayt moykhl

   Excuse me (polite)

   Usage

   Use it to get the attention of a stranger or an elder, e.g. before asking directions. To one close person: "זײַ מוחל"

   Grammar Note

   Yiddish addresses one respected person with plural "איר", so the imperative is the plural "זײַט"

6. זײַט מיר מוחל

   Zayt mir moykhl

   I'm sorry (polite)

   Usage

   For a real apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake. To a close person: "זײַ מיר מוחל"

   Grammar Note

   Literally "be forgiving to me"; "מיר" is the dative "to me"

7. ס׳איז אין אָרדענונג

   S'iz in ordenung

   It's OK

   Usage

   Works both as "no harm done" when someone apologises and as a soft refusal of an offer

   Grammar Note

   The contraction "ס׳איז" is written with a geresh "׳". "אין אָרדענונג" ("in order") is the fixed way to say that all is fine

8. איך פֿאַרשטיי נישט

   Ikh farshtey nisht

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said

   Grammar Note

   Order: subject + verb + נישט. The letter "פֿ" (with rafe) is read as f

9. איך פֿאַרשטיי

   Ikh farshtey

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms that the explanation landed; clearer than just nodding

   Grammar Note

   The present tense covers both "I get it now" and "I understand"

10. איך בין פֿאַרטיק

    Ikh bin fartik

    I'm finished

    Usage

    Signals that a meal, payment or procedure is complete; also used to have plates cleared

    Grammar Note

    "פֿאַרטיק" is an adjective used with "זײַן" (to be)

11. וואַרט, ביטע

    Vart, bite

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork

    Grammar Note

    The imperative of "וואַרטן" is "וואַרט" for both singular and plural (polite) address

12. אַ מינוט

    A minut

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A light, short hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo

    Grammar Note

    Literally "a minute"; it works as a short form of "וואַרט אַ מינוט" (wait a minute). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

13. איין דערוואַקסענער, ביטע

    Eyn dervaksener, bite

    One adult, please

    Usage

    For ticket desks and entrances where adult and child prices differ

    Grammar Note

    Before a noun, "one" is "איין" (not the counting form "איינס"). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. איך האָב נישט קיין רעזערוואַציע

    Ikh hob nisht keyn rezervatsye

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

    Grammar Note

    The double negation "נישט קיין" is normal in Yiddish and means "not any". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

15. איך האָב אַ רעזערוואַציע

    Ikh hob a rezervatsye

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

16. העלפֿט מיר, ביטע

    Helft mir, bite

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or an emergency. It is fine to say it loudly

    Grammar Note

    "העלפֿן" takes the dative, hence "מיר". To a close person use the singular "העלף מיר"

17. נאָך אַ מאָל, ביטע

    Nokh a mol, bite

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed what was said; handy for prices and room numbers

    Grammar Note

    "נאָך אַ מאָל" means "one more time"; it is also written as one word, "נאָכאַמאָל"

18. רעדט פּאַמעלעך, ביטע

    Redt pamelekh, bite

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speed is the problem. Works well combined with "once more"

    Grammar Note

    "פּאַמעלעך" serves as an adverb ("slowly") with the same form. To a close person: "רעד פּאַמעלעך". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

19. איך רעד אַ ביסל

    Ikh red a bisl

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording. A language name can follow

    Grammar Note

    "אַ ביסל" means "a little". A language name follows the verb without a preposition

20. רעדט איר ענגליש?

    Redt ir english?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when communication stalls. Usually works at hotels and airports

    Grammar Note

    Yes/no questions start with the verb. Polite "איר" takes the plural verb form. To a close person: "רעדסטו ענגליש?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

21. דאָס

    dos

    This

    Usage

    Point at something in front of you; "דאָס, ביטע" (this one, please) is the most useful form

    Grammar Note

    A neuter pronoun that can point at anything regardless of the noun's gender

22. יענץ

    yents

    That one (over there)

    Usage

    For something out of reach

    Grammar Note

    Neuter form. For a masculine noun use "יענער", for a feminine noun "יענע"

23. דאָ

    do

    Here

    Usage

    Point at a spot; in a taxi, "דאָ, ביטע" asks the driver to stop here

    Grammar Note

    Means "here", close by. "דאָרט" is "there"

24. איך

    ikh

    I / me

    Usage

    Refers to yourself; the form is the same for men and women

    Grammar Note

    The dative/accusative is "מיר"

25. דו

    du

    You (informal, one person)

    Usage

    Used for one family member, friend or child

    Grammar Note

    To a stranger or an elder, the polite choice is plural "איר". "דו" takes singular verb forms

26. צוזאַמען

    tsuzamen

    Together

    Usage

    Shows that you are together or want to join in

27. איצט

    itst

    Now

    Usage

    Asks for something at this moment

    Grammar Note

    Also found as "יעצט"

28. איין מענטש

    Eyn mentsh

    One person

    Usage

    States a headcount at a restaurant or on a tour

    Grammar Note

    "One" before a noun is "איין". The plural is "מענטשן". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

29. צוויי מענטשן

    Tsvey mentshn

    Two people

    Usage

    States a headcount

    Grammar Note

    Numerals do not change for gender, and the noun that follows is plural

30. דרײַ מענטשן

    Dray mentshn

    Three people

    Usage

    States a headcount of three

    Grammar Note

    "דרײַ" is spelled with the ײַ (pasekh tsvey yudn) ligature. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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