Yiddish blessings and sayings
What you say when someone sneezes, when you praise a child, when luck is on your side.
nakhes(naches)נחת
pride and joy, especially from one's children
די באָבע זיצט אין דער ערשטער ריי בײַם קאָנצערט און שעפּט נחת פֿונעם אייניקל.
“Grandma is sitting in the front row at the concert, glowing with pride over her grandson.”
makeמכּה
a plague; sarcastically, nothing at all
ער רעדט אַ גאַנצע שעה וועגן פּאָליטיק, און ער פֿאַרשטייט אַ מכּה.
“He talks politics for a whole hour, and he understands a plague. (He understands nothing at all.)”
sheltnשעלטן
to curse, to swear
די שכנטע שעלט שוין אַ האַלבע שעה און זי חזרט נישט איבער קיין איין קללה.
“The neighbor has been cursing for half an hour and she hasn't repeated a single curse.”
gezunterheyt(gezunterheit)געזונטערהייט
in good health; enjoy it in health
טראָג דעם נײַעם מאַנטל געזונטערהייט און ער זאָל דיר דינען צען יאָר.
“Wear the new coat in good health and may it serve you ten years.”
keyn ayn-hore(kinehora)קיין עין־הרע
a protective phrase said after praise, warding off the evil eye
דאָס קינד רעדט שוין דרײַ שפּראַכן, קיין עין־הרע, אַ חכם ווי דער טאַטע.
“The kid already speaks three languages, kinehora, sharp like his father.”
mazl(mazel)מזל
luck, fortune, constellation
מזל טוֹב! דו האָסט געשאָסן אַ גאָלדן גוועט.
“Mazl tov! You made a perfect shot.”
Yaacov, native Jerusalemite
Want to go further with a teacher?
A real 30-minute lesson, one to one — Modern Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, Yiddish or Aramaic. No card required.
Study 1-on-1 with YaacovPrefer a small group? Eight-week groups
More Yiddish words by topic
Yiddish insults and put-downsYiddish words for people and charactersYiddish words for complaining and troubleYiddish words for feelings and moodsYiddish words for family and homeYiddish words for food and drinkYiddish words for money, bargains and workYiddish words from Jewish life and traditionYiddish words for talking and gossipYiddish words for mess and confusionYiddish words for music, parties and entertainmentEveryday Yiddish verbs