Yiddish words for complaining and trouble
Yiddish has more words for trouble than anyone needs, and a few more for the groaning that goes with it.
shloteשלאָטע
slush, sleet, foul wet weather
אינדרויסן איז אַזאַ שלאָטע, אַז נאָך דרײַ טריט זענען די זאָקן שוין קאַלט און נאַס.
“Outside there is such a slush that after three steps your socks are already cold and wet.”
gezeyreגזירה
a harsh decree; in speech, an outrageous imposition, a 'who ordered this?!'
וואָס פֿאַר אַ גזירה — דער רעגן האָט נישט אָפּגעהערט דעם גאַנצן טאָג!
“What a decree — the rain didn't let up the whole day!”
kvetshn(kvetch)קוועטשן
to complain, to squeeze, to whine
הער אויף צו קוועטשן און עס דײַן זופּ!
“Stop complaining and eat your soup!”
onshikenishאָנשיקעניש
a nuisance or pest foisted on you (as if by fate)
מײַן שוויגער איז אַ ריכטיקע אָנשיקעניש , יעדן זונטיק קומט זי אויף מיטאָג און בלײַבט ביזן נאַכט. א ברוך.
“My mother-in-law is a proper onshikenish — every Sunday she comes for lunch and stays till night.”
tsore(tsuris)צרה / צורה / צורעס
trouble, problem, woe
איין צרה איז ווייניק, קומט נאָך איין.
“One trouble is not enough, so another comes.”
krekhtsn(krechtz)קרעכצן
to groan, to moan (usually while complaining)
װאָס קרעכצסטו? דער דאָקטער האָט דיר דאָך געזאָגט אַז ס'איז גאָרנישט.
“What are you groaning about? The doctor already told you it's nothing.”
pekl(pekel)פּעקל
little bundle (also: one's load of troubles)
אויף עליס אײַלאַנד איז יעדער אָנגעקומען מיט אַ פּעקל אין דער האַנט.
“At Ellis Island everyone arrived with a bundle in their hand.”
Yaacov, native Jerusalemite
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