Basic Verbs

1. גיין

   geyn

   To go

   Usage

   The base verb of movement; combine it with a destination. It also means "to walk"

   Grammar Note

   Infinitives end in "ן": "גיין" becomes "איך גיי" (I go). The perfect uses "זײַן": "איך בין געגאַנגען"

2. קומען

   kumen

   To come

   Usage

   For someone or something arriving where you are

   Grammar Note

   "קומען" becomes "איך קום" (I come)

3. עסן

   esn

   To eat

   Usage

   The base verb for anything about meals

   Grammar Note

   "עסן" becomes "איך עס" (I eat). The noun "עסן" (food) is spelled the same

4. טרינקען

   trinken

   To drink

   Usage

   Used for drinks and for taking medicine

   Grammar Note

   "טרינקען" becomes "איך טרינק" (I drink)

5. קויפֿן

   koyfn

   To buy

   Usage

   The base verb for stating you want to purchase something

   Grammar Note

   "קויפֿן" becomes "איך קויף" (I buy). The letter "פֿ" is read as f

6. זען

   zen

   To see

   Usage

   Covers both sightseeing and checking something. "קוקן" is also used for deliberately looking

   Grammar Note

   "זען" becomes "איך זע" (I see)

7. וואַרטן

   vartn

   To wait

   Usage

   For queues and for arranging to meet

   Grammar Note

   "וואַרטן" becomes "איך וואַרט" (I wait)

8. איך וויל גיין.

   Ikh vil geyn.

   I want to go.

   Usage

   The pattern for naming a destination in a taxi or at a counter, e.g. "איך וויל גיין אין האָטעל" (I want to go to the hotel)

   Grammar Note

   "וויל" is the present of "to want"; it is not the future auxiliary "וועל". The infinitive goes at the end

9. איך וויל עסן.

   Ikh vil esn.

   I want to eat.

   Usage

   The pattern for naming a dish you want; add the name of the food

   Grammar Note

   The food follows the verb: "איך וויל עסן רײַז" (I want to eat rice)

10. איך וויל דאָס.

    Ikh vil dos.

    I want this.

    Usage

    Point at something and say it; works as an order on its own

    Grammar Note

    The object "דאָס" follows the verb

11. איך דאַרף עס נישט.

    Ikh darf es nisht.

    I don't need it.

    Usage

    To decline a bag, a receipt or a tout

    Grammar Note

    "דאַרפֿן" means "to need, must"; it is not "טאָרן" (to be allowed)

12. איך זוך עס.

    Ikh zukh es.

    I'm looking for it.

    Usage

    For naming what you are looking for; showing a photo speeds it up

    Grammar Note

    The present tense also means "am looking for". Put the object in place of "עס", e.g. "איך זוך מײַן שליסל". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

13. איך האָב עס.

    Ikh hob es.

    I have it.

    Usage

    To state you have something, tickets or documents typically

    Grammar Note

    "האָבן" becomes "איך האָב"; the object pronoun follows the verb

14. איך האָב עס נישט.

    Ikh hob es nisht.

    I don't have it.

    Usage

    To state you do not have something, such as small change or a card

    Grammar Note

    "נישט" comes after the verb and the object pronoun. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

15. איך וויל אַרויסנעמען געלט.

    Ikh vil aroysnemen gelt.

    I want to withdraw money.

    Usage

    When looking for an ATM or explaining you need cash first

    Grammar Note

    "אַרויסנעמען" is a separable verb, but after a modal it stays whole near the end of the clause. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

16. איך וויל רעזערווירן.

    Ikh vil rezervirn.

    I want to make a reservation.

    Usage

    To say you want to book a room, a table or a tour

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

17. העלפֿט מיר דערמיט, ביטע.

    Helft mir dermit, bite.

    Please help me with it.

    Usage

    For concrete assistance, such as lifting a bag or working a machine

    Grammar Note

    "העלפֿן" takes the dative. To a close person: "העלף מיר דערמיט". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

18. זאָגט מיר, ביטע.

    Zogt mir, bite.

    Please tell me.

    Usage

    When you want information, such as directions or times

    Grammar Note

    Add the question afterwards. To a close person: "זאָג מיר"

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