Yiddish Origins
Explore the fascinating origins of Yiddish words and their meanings. Discover the rich history behind each word and how they're used today.
Yiddish Words List
Chutzpah
חוצפּה
- Meaning:
- Audacity, nerve, or extreme self-confidence, often used admiringly
- Origin:
- Hebrew
- Root Meaning:
- Insolence, audacity
- Still Used:
- Yes, "chutzpah" in modern Hebrew and English
Farkakte
פֿאַרקאַקטע
- Meaning:
- Crappy, messed up
- Origin:
- Yiddish
- Root Meaning:
- To crap up
- Still Used:
- Yes, in Yiddish
Geshmak
געשמאַק
- Meaning:
- Tasty, delicious
- Origin:
- German
- Root Meaning:
- Taste
- Still Used:
- Yes, "Geschmack" in modern German
Glitch
גליטש
- Meaning:
- A minor malfunction
- Origin:
- Yiddish
- Root Meaning:
- To slip
- Still Used:
- Yes, in English
Gonif
גנבֿ
- Meaning:
- A thief or dishonest person
- Origin:
- Hebrew
- Root Meaning:
- Thief
- Still Used:
- Yes, "ganav" in modern Hebrew
Kibitz
קיביצן
- Meaning:
- To offer unwanted advice
- Origin:
- Yiddish
- Root Meaning:
- To look on
- Still Used:
- Yes, in English
Klutz
קלאָץ
- Meaning:
- A clumsy, awkward, or foolish person
- Origin:
- German
- Root Meaning:
- Block, lump
- Still Used:
- Yes, "Klotz" in modern German
Kvell
קוועלן
- Meaning:
- To beam with pride and joy
- Origin:
- German
- Root Meaning:
- To well up
- Still Used:
- Yes, "quellen" in modern German (to swell)
Kvetch
קװעטשן
- Meaning:
- To complain, whine, or fret persistently
- Origin:
- Middle High German
- Root Meaning:
- To squeeze
- Still Used:
- Yes, "quetschen" in modern German