There are a number of Yiddish words that have made their way into both modern Hebrew and English. Often speakers are unaware of the Yiddish origin of these terms. Below is a glossary of the most commonly used Yiddish words and phrases in both English and Hebrew. See how many you already know!
Glossary of Yiddish Words and Phrases in English and Hebrew
| Balaboosta |
בעל־הביתטע |
a term of endearment which literally means “good homemaker.” |
|
Bubbe |
באבע |
A grandmother |
| chotchkeh |
טשאטשקע |
bauble, Knick-knack, little toy |
| Chutzpah |
חוצפה |
Brash, opinionated |
| Drek |
דרעק |
Worthless thing |
| Ichseh |
איכצע |
Yuck |
| Klip |
קליפ |
Talkative woman |
| Klutz |
קלאָץ |
A clumsy person |
| Kolboynick |
כלביוניק |
Know-it-all |
| Kvell |
קוועל |
To experience pride in someone else, typically one’s children, |
| Kvetch |
קוועטש |
To complain, whine or fret |
| Mammale |
מאמעלע |
Term of endearment to a female |
| Mensch |
מענטש |
Good person |
| Meshugena |
משוגענא |
Crazy woman |
| Meshugener |
משוגענער |
Crazy man |
| Nosh |
נאש |
A snack, also To eat or nibble |
|
Putz |
פּאץ |
A foolish, stupid person |
| Schlep |
שלעפ |
To drag something heavy or to go somewhere with great effort or reluctantly |
| Schmoe |
שמו |
Naive, a little stupid |
| Schtick |
שטיק |
A routine or gimmick |
| Shaigetz |
שײגעץ |
Non-Jewish Male; use as insult |
| Shande |
שאנדע |
A scandal, embarrassment |
| Shiksa |
שיקסע |
Non-Jewish Female; used as insult |
| Shmatte |
שמאטע |
A rag or old garment |
| Shmendrik |
שמענדריק |
Jerk |
|
Shmuck |
שמאק |
A jerk |
| Shushkeh |
שושקע |
A whisper |
| Yenta |
יענטע |
a woman who loves to gossip; a busybody |
| Yutzi |
יוצי |
Stupid |
|
Zaide |
זיידע |
Gandfather |
| Zissele |
זיסאלע |
term of endearment; literally sweetie |
