Culture & Etiquette

1. וואָס איז אַ שטעטל?

   Vos iz a shtetl?

   What is a shtetl?

   Usage

   The word for the small towns of Eastern Europe where many Jews lived. Ask this when the word comes up in a museum or on a guided tour

   Grammar Note

   "שטעטל" is "שטאָט" (town) plus the diminutive ending "־ל" and is neuter. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. קענט איר מיר דערציילן עפּעס וועגן דער ייִדישער קולטור?

   Kent ir mir dertseyln epes vegn der yidisher kultur?

   Can you tell me something about Jewish culture?

   Usage

   A polite request for a guide or local to share something about Jewish culture and customs

   Grammar Note

   "ייִדישע" here means "Jewish", not "Yiddish-language". After "וועגן" the dative is used, so before the feminine "קולטור" it is "דער ייִדישער". "איר" is the polite you. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. איך האָב ליב קלעזמער־מוזיק.

   Ikh hob lib klezmer-muzik.

   I like klezmer music.

   Usage

   Says you like klezmer, the traditional instrumental music of Eastern European Jews. A good opener with musicians and shopkeepers

   Grammar Note

   "קלעזמער" originally means the musician; here it is compounded to mean klezmer music. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. וווּ קען מען הערן קלעזמער־מוזיק?

   Vu ken men hern klezmer-muzik?

   Where can one hear klezmer music?

   Usage

   Asks about live shows, concerts or festivals. Works at a hotel or an information desk

   Grammar Note

   "וווּ" (where) carries a dot. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. ווי הייסט דער ניגון?

   Vi heyst der nign?

   What is this melody called?

   Usage

   Asks the name of a wordless or simple tune (a nign) sung at a service or celebration

   Grammar Note

   "ניגון" is masculine. Do not confuse "ווי" (how) with "וווּ" (where). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. וואָס מיינט דאָס ליד?

   Vos meynt dos lid?

   What does this song mean?

   Usage

   Asks the meaning of a song heard at a festival or concert

   Grammar Note

   "ליד" is neuter, and its plural is "לידער". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. לאָמיר טאַנצן!

   Lomir tantsn!

   Let's dance!

   Usage

   A casual invitation when joining a wedding or festival dance, or inviting friends

   Grammar Note

   "לאָמיר + infinitive" means "let's …" and is used among friends. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. איז דאָ אַ טעאַטער אויף ייִדיש אין דער שטאָט?

   Iz do a teater oyf yidish in der shtot?

   Is there a Yiddish-language theater in the city?

   Usage

   Asks whether you can see a play in Yiddish. Works at an information desk or hotel

   Grammar Note

   "אויף ייִדיש" means "in Yiddish"; "אויף" goes before a language name. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. וווּ קען מען קויפֿן ביכער אויף ייִדיש?

   Vu ken men koyfn bikher oyf yidish?

   Where can one buy books in Yiddish?

   Usage

   Says you are looking for Yiddish books, at a bookshop or cultural center

   Grammar Note

   "ביכער" is the plural of "בוך" (the vowel changes). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. האָט איר ביכער אויף ייִדיש?

    Hot ir bikher oyf yidish?

    Do you have books in Yiddish?

    Usage

    Asks a bookseller or librarian whether they stock books in Yiddish

    Grammar Note

    Putting the verb first makes a yes/no question. "איר" is the polite you. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. וואָס פֿאַר אַ מינהג איז דאָס?

    Vos far a mineg iz dos?

    What kind of custom is this?

    Usage

    Asks about an unfamiliar custom at a wedding or festival

    Grammar Note

    "מינהג" is masculine and its plural is "מינהגים". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. זאָל איך זאָגן דו אָדער איר?

    Zol ikh zogn du oder ir?

    Should I say "du" or "ir"?

    Usage

    "דו" is the familiar "you" and "איר" the polite one. With an older person you have just met, start with "איר"

    Grammar Note

    "זאָל איך …?" asks "should I …?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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