Lessons in conversational Yiddish for adult groups, extension classes and self-study

STEVEN SPIELBERG DIGITAL YIDDISH LIBRARY
NO. 04918

LESSONS IN
CONVERSATIONAL YIDDISH

Solomon Colodner

Permanent preservation of this hook was made possible
by David & Jacqueline B. Sices

in memory of
Harry & Henrietta Finger Sices

'ij

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CONVERSATIONAL YIDDISH

For Adult Groups, Extension Classes
and Self-Study

compiled by
SOLOMON COLODNER

BLOCK PUBLISHING CO.

^The Jewish Book Concern
31 West 31st Street, New York, N, Y, 10001

mi e:,;„. ,

m

■ i

PREFACE

The educated Jew in America speaks English — but is expected to know
some Hebrew, the ''holy tongue" of Torah C'l'shon ha-kodesh'O and the living
language of the State of Israel rivrith"). Many read and understand Yiddish
-- the vernacular of our parents and grandparents ; the language in which a
vast literature and cultural treasures are preserved. Yiddish, to this very day,
serves as a bond between the past and present — between generations of
Jews in various lands of origin. It was also part of Jewish prayer and
study, a vital part of the Jewish stream of life.

Yiddish, the language spoken since the year 1000, when French and
Italian Jews began to migrate to the Rhineland, was spoken by the masses
who immigrated to the U. S.

The base of Yiddish is the language spoken by the Franks in the Rhine
Valley — now called Middle High German. To this base were added Hebrew,
Aramic, old French, Italian and later — Slavic elements. Yiddish developed
into an independent lauguage with an original syntax and grammar.

Yiddish reflects life in the "'shtetr' — part of the soul of the Jewish
people. The Hebrew element forms a vital part of Yiddish. All words
and expressions that are related to the spiritual and religious life of the
Jew are derived from Hebrew.

For one who knows elementary Hebrew, Yiddish reading and writing
can be learned with a minimum of effort in one or two sessions. To speak
Yiddish well, one must live with Yiddish speaking people and engage in
continuous conversation. It must become ""Mahme loshon" — the mother's
tongue. It is advisable to study the material in the Appendix before studying
the lessons in conversation. For one who never studied Hebrew it is vital
that he or she first master the phonetics of the Hebrew alphabet.

This is not a text for the intensive study of Yiddish. It is rather a
digest of common and well-known phrases and expressions — with a sup-
plement of the familiar Yiddish proverbs. It should prove helpful and in-
formative in Yiddish classess of High School Youth, Extension Classes and
Adult Study Groups — as well as for Self-Study. Gratitude is hereby expressed
to Mr. Yudel Mark, Consultant of the Jewish Education Committee of New York,
for reading the manuscript and for making valuable suggestions; and to
Dr. Elias Schulman, Librarian of the Jewish Education Committee and
instructor of Yiddish literature at the Jewish Teachers Seminary, N. Y. for
examining the text and helping in its preparation for the press.

S. C.

CONTENTS

Lesson

1

Lesson

2

Lesson

3

Lesson

4

Lesson

5

Lesson

6

Lesson

7

Lesson

8

Lesson

9

Lesson

10

Lesson

11

Lesson

12

Appendix

Proverbs

Page

Greetings - 5 - j5;:i:nDn:i8i

In the Morning „ 8 ns nyi r«

Dressing „ 10 -3in''"»^p n

Eating - 12 „ pV

In the Street 15 Dg:; r«

In the School ....„ 16 '?W TK

Work 18 t^iynns

At Night 20 IDD^i v»n

In the House „ 21 TIH r«

■ The Body 23 - lySiyp 1j;n

• Traveling 25 p^^ ^^^

' Games and pS l^'^Sty

Amusements 26 JV:i:n'7''''in«S

.- - - 28

36

ptDnn
ytDDpyr

ytDl"L^3

ny:n!if

'/■

Greetings

Hello!

Hello!

How are you?

Thank you, very well

How do you feel?

So So

Excellent (Fine)

How is your brother?

He doesn't feel well

How is your sister?
your wife?

She has a toothache

How is your mother?
She has a headache

How is your father?
He has a cold
Too bad, I am sorry

How is your grandfather?
and grandmother?

Thank, God

? n^s t3Dxa op ^

? ij?7nai nsr^-'s DDxa op
^ny^ i3"'j T's nj?

9^i? Ijn "11 -I'S DID 05?
? njTDKQ 15?!?K D3N» DSn

DOninXS 03?) TK12? s ,Di:\ Dty^i

.jn-'n njr7 D3K;a osn
?j?2,p n lis

IjrpiXT IS Ds:i

Excuse me please ...
Pardon

Doesn't matter

Not at all

May I introduce...

Thanks very much

You are welcome

I am very pleased

What's your name?

My name is

I want to tell you something

What do you want

1 have no time

What's new?

Nothing's new

Everything is fine

How old are you

I became twenty

Good morning!

Good evening!

Good night!

Good Sabbath

Good Holiday

...T-a topnVwisjs Dix ^iTX Bin

DxniKS ^m^i ,s!nTx
l'7"S"i5?T Dj?aj? T-i^ V^n t«

? I^X D"?*!! 0X11

t)i^s i"p t3''i asn y^
01^3 rv iJi^'i

(Di:^) T-'D T'X fVx
? TK loin tj'px '11

OK' ton K) i:^isa t3i:i

(IS' ttn K) tSlllK |Dn }?

ODSl 57131:^ s

naiy itti:^ x
ait3-nv 1131J K

With good appetite

God bless you

Good luck

Where do you live in the
U. S.?

Congratulations

Wear it well

I am busy (tired)

I am sorry

To your health!

Lots of pleasure from children

Speak slowly

My regards to...

Perhaps

Certainly

So long (will see you again)

Be well

"??» t)^a |'_n "pKr ,1?'''?:^ ^^72
^m tt'a ]in "tkt ^lO'Via

15?"T3V lis nn: "ID K
(...IS Di"i:^ s)iDni m^T^

(tsaiTjr^^ am) miTj?:^ t)"j

LESSON 2 P^irpp'? Vt^'^m

In the morning

What time is it ?

A quarter to eight

My watch stopped

Half past nine

I got up early

Is your watch fast?

No, my watch is slow

It's late

Hurry!

I must get dressed

I want to wash myself

Open the faucet, the water
is hot

Give me the soap

Please, give me a towel

Give me a comb and brush

I want to comb my hair

Today, tomorrow, yesterday
or the day before

Tomorrow Til get up at
eight sharp

? 15?:^«T -lyi^S UD''!'?

ITT tj'ri^K
IXDJX nn nz3 TX
lij^xn in "p'n tk

Ijrtsixn 8 "i'!a tJ'^ rt3iJ ""Itk Din

lj;ayi?-)S5 ^n V^ii i^k
lDDj?i ,|Jip ,Dr-^n

"lJ?:^''nK 13DK upiis

If God be willing! mn HS")^ QS

No evil eye! 5?nn TJ? V'p

Where's a toothbrush? ? "pDtJ^-ljra-lSS X V^ IKII

Where's the toothpaste? ?J?13DK5-|SS H T'S 1«n

Where's the toilet? ?S03n-n^a IJ?"! T'K 1S1T
1 have to shave (take a haircut) OljriZ^DS 1^) T'?«^S^ 1'T HlKl T«

I hope it will be a nice day -ijri'^K' i? t'-'T t5J?n QJ? TK n^n "I^«

LESSON 3 P^lJpP'? J7tDm

Dressing

:iJiT"'^p n

My coat is torn pny^^ ^^'^ ^^^^ p-'H

I have a new suit IjriS^nSJl nj?!?3 X SKH T^*:

I have no new dress and gloves CJ pK V^'p '.'3 ]'>'>p H'^l SKH T^

Take off your coat

Put on your overcoat

Button your overcoat

I must iron my shirt

Put on your hat

Take off your hat

David has a nice tie

Put on your shoes

Tie the shoelaces

I must shine my shoes

Don't dirty your clothing

Put on underwear

Put on a skirt

The blouse and sweater are
very nice

The trousers are too long

The socks are nice

'7t33xa Dsri (CIS ID) sxnx dj?3

02^7\) "rtj'n oxi ]k its

(i3in) Vi3'n mi qxik qj?3

os''3t2^ nyr'iy X mn m

TB' n |s IB

tt^jrmytjjiix |x 113

'?T"'?P X IX It)

lj?r.?T i5?7jniD i5?T ]ix j;n'?3 n

10

This is becoming to you

Sarah has no black belt

I'll put on a swim-suit to go
swimming

It's raining, where are my
rubbers?

Please, give me a pin and a
button

I'll put my money in the
pocket, not in the bag,
in the apron

Have a kerchief

Today is cloudy

I'll put on a raincoat and boots

Where is my umbrella?
Today will be a sunny day
Let's take a walk
I will buy earrings

The color red is becoming to

you
He likes white, blue and brown

I wear green, yellow and purple
I hang my coat on a hanger

I hang my coat on a hook
Wear it well

'?t3-is:\ |s-ixniy rv t3'3 Dsn ma?
lis DrBDNp-Tsa s 1K131S "rjrii yi^

|1K J^jpySiy K -)^» D^ ,t3i:\ ^ITS t3«T

Viviatt? n ps
:^sD nyp^nr s ]in lajni t3r_'n
njrVJr-i'is is^i? Vjrn t^?

rna ps ^iVa ,o'_'ii t"? tssn -ij?

-n£D-ns lis "rn /Pi^ ^sit3 t^

s n'-is Viaisa r_'a n^is ijjrn ^s

s H'ls 'ptsasa r-!a n^''^^ ^35?n i^s

pni?
t)'''m5ri33iT5;:\ dj? jsid

11

LESSON 4 P^lsrpj;? P£D1J?S

Eating

Tm hungry, let's go to a
restaurant

Waiter, please give me a
menu

Please give me a spoon,
fork (and knife)

The tablecloth is white

Waiter, please give me
a napkin

What do you want to order?
I want to wash my hands
I want breakfast
I want cereal (cooked, dry)
I want lunch... supper

First, I want an appetizer

This is a good (tasty,
delicious) food

This is very tasty

Mother, may she live long,
is an excellent housewife

With good appetite

K -1^)2 13'':^ ,t3i:^ '1TX loin nyi^vp
s ,'735?'? X "I'a ^^y ,i3ij ^iTs am

D!?'n fs iv^B^'ta -i5?7
K Ta ti'':^ ,i3i:i ^iTK i3in ,nj?3'?jri?

■rsKa K fX 03?

pm^n 13?^^ T'x 0X7
n'la X vm

t3't3j?9X 113131 tS^a

12

Please give me orange juice

I eat soft eggs (an omelet)
Give me a cup of coffee (tea)
Give me cheese in the plate

Give me a clean plate

1 need a toothpick

Give me bread and butter

I want a roll and butter

I want chicken

Give me pepper and oil

I like vegetables, carrots

-]S38nx!a 1'a to^j ,i3n ^iti? Din

DDXT

njr'rjrt) t^x Tjrj? n^a 13^:^

1J?D1S lis "pajTT s '?'n T^
]in V'n I'x

pva ,iDr-i:^ 2^"? axn tk

Also corn, cucumber and lettuce Ui^'pXD px jrp15?:\1S ,5rniV1p "I^IX

Also onion and potato

Also tomato and garlic

Let's drink to your health

I like fruits, an apple
and an orange

Also cherries, grapes and
plums

I want fish after the soup

1 want cake or a cookie
with the tea

I want sugar in the stewed fruit

V3K3P px iDxaxio i^is

lis 'PSJ? |S ,t3DTlD T"? 2Sn I'X

f3«-ixa X

(yv) SIT "lyT ixj ly^s "t'ii 1'X
j?'?5?3''p X "ijrix ]^^p V^n I'x

Dssaxp nj?7 rx -ij?pis '?'n i^x

13

In the evening I will eat
cream and vegetables

I am full

1 want lemon in the tea
How much is it?

Give me the bill (check)
I'll give a tip to the waiter

Goodbye, I'll see you again
I am going for a walk
I am going to town
Do you go right or left?
Here is a store

That is very cheap

105? Ts "ryii isjiix in
IDjnJi pK j;3j;t3j?ao

t3KT 1^2 y^

"13 -i5?T r» ini3''s ^n y^i-

loSjnBsa '?S''n) ?oy doxj? "tS^t

(?05r

1J?T HKa T-r yT^ — idi:^ k

IT-sxisir «:^ n^K

t5Sl3B? VK «:^ y^

TOiPrV -IVTK Ot3D5?"l 1'X 13"^ 'S

14

LESSON 5 j;"':jpj?'7 j;tosi^9

In the Street

The weather is good

The day is clear

Today is cloudy

I am very warm

1 am very cold

It is chilly outside

It is raining

It is snowing, the rain stopped

Where does the bus stop?
Where is the station?
Is the place taken?
I want to buy a newspaper
How much does it cost?

Please give me change of a
dollar

Here is the change

Where is the Post-Off ice?

1 want to telephone my brother

1 want to send a telegram

When can we pray (in
synagogue)

|0"'m rx 'pv vs, Dj;

tasn iX5?"i -15?! r^^ 8 t3":^ dj;
? DiasD^is -lyi sx in tsVj^Diy wi

?lJrD131XD I'X'PS nj?7 T'S

? Dj; t5DKp '7D''n
K D"'1S T-za t3!?a ton '"ITJ? 13!?T

? t3DKS n fK mn

15

LESSON 6 P^^JpJ?? P!2DpJ?T

In the School

•^itr ^^^.

Please sit down

Quiet (Silence!)

Rise and go to the blackboard

Open the books

Read aloud

That's enough

Read slowly

Close the notebooks

Write the word on the
blackboard

Correct the error

Answer the questions at the
end of the page

The teacher sits at the desk

The teacher teaches the class
Torah

The student learns history

The teacher lectures to the
class

Take the eraser

in tasjri ,i3n 'itk 13«t
•rusts D1S ^>:^ ps yfpy^i^

VnSD ]S'1K ttlKn DKT 3ini2^

ms oyxKis n 'T'ik t3-ij?st3:jr
■pDin lis nio

nmn
j?i3D''i2^5?:^ tans?"? I'a'pn is^t

16

Erase the blackboard
Yesterday I took an exam
I passed the exam

I failed

Here is your report-card

Tomorrow there will be an
assembly

17

LESSON 7 p^xpp'? j?Dp:a^r

Work

tDpsit

What's your work?

I am a carpenter, shoemaker,
baker, builder

I am a painter, technician,
electrician

He's a good worker

What's your trade?

The season began

1 have a good boss (employer)

What's your salary?

I received a raise

There is no work because they
declared a strike

I have a vacation for two weeks

The dispute was settled
I have no hope for work

?Tt "I'K t3p*t)5jnj^i?2 op m.

■)5?i?nt3i?j?V5? ts
? ISO 15?l^S fS OKI

oxay'^sa |t)n s asn nn
(n^an-'?5?a)

? (B'rsny:;) mi'^B? nyi'K t^s osi
(?i^s DriiKD Vs^n)

jra "pi^n ijjranK rv so^i vix. oj
'piniso' 8 iSimss mn

'>^m f\'>^^s, j?''Sxi?Kn x axn in
IS wiij?Dsn rv 13'^ 3Kn in

18

My brother works in a factory p''»'n2XD K px Djraiis IJ/ina ll'Xi

My brother works in an office *D''SS// ]X ]^K DJ731X ")y7T13 I'J'a

I must rest |j;^^3^ y^ ^^j^ y^

He is a doctor (dentist, lawyer) ^-UTttpSTip) "IJTDpXT K PX nj?

I learned a trade in High School ]'>^ "^kS S t33'1J?'7j73l SKn y^

19

LESSON 8 P^SpP"? PtODN

At Night

tDiDSJ

><«»'

It is dark outside — we should
put the lights on

Push the button

It's time to go to sleep

I'll make the bed

Here's a sheet and a pillow

On the bed there's a blanket

I am very tired

A restful night

Put out the light

Pull the cord

Go to sleep

Good night

5?m'?Xi'? J? m'*'? t3j?3 |5'v

(sax"? nj?7) ttD''? OKT tsB^y'p-iKt

w

LESSON 9 P'^XPP^ Pt3rj:i

In the House

Hello, Father and Mother

Where is Grandpa and
Grandma?

I have two brothers and three
sisters

My uncle and aunt came to
visit us

My nephew and niece did not
come

The grandchild, my brother-in-
law and my sister-in-law came

The aunt is a good housewife

My cousin came

Our apartment is very small
(crowded)

Tomorrow I am moving to a

new apartment

How many rooms do you have?

We have four rooms

We have a dining-room

We have a bed-room with two
windows

im pK ij;t")2 ^'ns asn y)n
(t30x:i IS) piTKa Tins lyiapjrui

(jrisrran-Vjra)
T's orpnytJOijniiy) imp v^r:

(X35?) v"?? -i5;"T T's nnn -ijrnns v^
? TK mn pjra^s '?d'ii K

21

Also a living room and a kitchen

We also have a bath and
shower

We have a cellar and an attic D5?T'ia X pS "iy'?yi? K |2:Sn ")''?

pxpty pm iS'is risn n^:

?Tt3 -IS'T 1X0 ' ?D^'7ty X TX DX'i

? t3'?vrrTi''T n^x DVp 'ro^i
^n |S''ix . . . ta'Sio nn ti'i;

' 7nyaVx p x t^x nyrjra -ij?
nj?a'?x-ij?'T^^'7p njn t^x 135

f?>m I'S D^a i2?'D X laxn n^?

r'i2^ rx ' ?2ya m

-iya^s3'ixn rx xnxn x laxn -iv

» ■■ >■■■ «#

^ta i3^a im "7^

and also a porch
I live on the third floor
Do you have a key for the door?
How much do you pay for rent?
On the ceiling... On the floor...

In my house there are no
stairs to the roof

In the summer I live at the
ocean

The broom is in the closet

Here is the clothes-closet

It is too light (dark)

We have a table and four chairs

The furniture is nice

We have a radio in the living-
room

We will make (have) a house-
warming

Good luck

Who is knocking?

It is I

Come in

22

LESSON 10 V'^PV? PtD:iP2J

The Body

The head

The hair

The face

The forehead

The eye, eyes

The nose

The cheek

The mouth

The lip

The tooth, teeth

The tongue

The throat

The back

The ear, ears

The chin (jaw)

The neck

The shoulder

The hand, hands

The finger, fingers

£5Ki? -IjrT

23

The finger-nail, finger-nails

My gums hurt

Also my left heel

The heart

The belly

The knee

The foot, feet

24

LESSON 11 p^^pj;'? PtDS*?!?

Traveling

I have a new car
My brother is the driver
I travel by bus
Let's call the porter

Here is the train
Here is the subway
Here is our station
I missed the train

It is very noisy

Take the valise (baggage)

1 have two bags
1 will take the box

Where are you traveling to?

I am a tourist

Buy me a ticket

Here is the ticket-office

Is this seat taken?

No, the place is vacant

I will send a letter, a card,
a telegram

Bon Voyage

■|S?t3lSS 0577 pin 1'ai?'?
IKS n

Dj?ixisaj?iJ't3 ""^ns 2Kn n^K
?TX t3-isD rniKn

jpn^'"? vs. Yt?5 ^yi ,^'3
.VioiKj? J? AV12 8 |p''ij^ "psni ys

25

LESSON 12 V'^pV"? PtDS'PPlB

Games

and Amusements

Perhaps we should play chess?
The game ended in a draw

Let's play cards

I want some exercise

I want to play baseball

I want to play basketball

I want to play football

I want to play handball

I want to play net games like
tennis

Ping Pong

I don't like fighting or
wrestling

I need a match for my
cigarette

Let's go dancing

?']m ]'?^B^ r72 iVsT im

26

The music is excellent

\Vhat" time is it?

When does the show
(meeting) start?

Change my tickets please
I like it very much

STp-'a pr'ao'is t-^ tJ5?a t^

27

APPENDIX — 3^J1^
Yiddish Alphabet

PRINTED
LETTER

NAME

SOUND
EQUIVALENT

REMARKS

«

shtumer alef

silent

«

pasakh alef

[A]

8

komets alef

[0]

3

beys

[B]

5

veys

[V]

:i

giml

[G]

n

doled

[D]

n

hey

[H]

1

vov

[U]

^ melupm vov[\]
11 tsvey vovn [V]
•'1 vov yudlOy]

T

layen

[Z]

n

khes
tes

[Kh]
[T]

used only in words
from Hebrew

^

yud

[ILtY]

\ khirik ;yud[l]
''*' tsvey yudn [BY
^^ pasakh t^vey
yudn [A

28

APPENDIX — 2Kn:2

Yiddish Alphabet

PRINTED
LETTER

NAME

EQUIVALENT
SOUND

REMARKS

2)

kof

[K]

used only in words
from Hebrew

^
^

khof
lamed

[Kh]
[L], [L]

Final form:

T lange khof

D

mem

[M]

Final form:

D shlosmem

:

nun

[N]

Final form:

\ lange nun

D

samach

[S]

V

ayen

[E]

B

pey
fey

[P]
[F]

Final form:
V[ lange fey

^

tsadik

[Ts]

Final form:

y lange tsadik

p

kuf

[K]

n

reysh

[R]

shin
sin

[Sh]
[S]

tS^T laien shin
^^ tes shin [TSH]
laien shin [ZH]

n

tof

[T]

f used only in words
} from Hebrew

n

sof

[S]

^

29

GRAMMATICAL NOTES:

1. The Indefinite Article is K or ]i? (when it precedes a vowel)

2. The Definite Article —

The Cases

Masculine

Feminine

Neuter

Nominative

■U^T

n

DXT

Accusative

D5?"r

n

OST

Dative

DJ?T

-ij;t

DJ?T

The Negative Article is ]^^i? (no) as in .l3Vj?:i ]^V 13^3 2Sn 1^^

3. The Personal pronoun is n or TS
''Doo'^is singular and ''Eer'' is plural.

The plural form ''Eer'' is used as a polite form when addressing
a stranger, an older person etc. The same is true with TT
(singular) and T»J?X (plural and polite form).

4. The Impersonal Pronoun is J?a before the verb; ya or |J?/3
after the verb. TiaxV is the contraction of Ta TS^ orT'ZJ ms^

5. Internationalisms in Yiddish

Cultural languages have many words in common. Hebrew as
Yiddish borrow such words (internationalisms) from Latin oi
Greek — as "telephone", ''telegram'', "popular'' etc.

30

DIALECTS

Spoken Yiddish is classified roughly in four dialects: —

1) Lithuanian Yiddish (spoken in Lithuania, White Russia
and Northeastern Poland).

2) Ukrainian Yiddish (spoken in the Ukraine, Eastern
Galicia, Rumania and Southeastern Poland).

3) Polish Yiddish (spoken in the territory between the
German-Polish frontier of 1939 and rivers Vistula and
San.

4) Western Yiddish (spoken in the territory west of the
German-Polish frontier of 1939,

The main differences in dialect are in the pronounciation

of the vowels:

In Central Yiddish, one says (Ayn toog) X^t) ]''''K

In Northeastern Yiddish, one says (Eyn Tog) 3»St3 P''S

In Southeastern Yiddish, one says (Eyn toog)

In the Galician dialect one hears I'l?!!? (shayn) instead of

]V.^ (sheyn); ]'L^::n instead of ]??:!l ; 15ru?9 instead of

n5?t3^S nl3 instead of T12 ; D'':^ instead of m'X ; l33Kti^

instead of DJl^U^ ; IDKT instead of ]Oin ; 113!?3 instead of

]DJ?a ntr^a instead of 112^3

31

NUMBERS —

inpaij

Cardinals

p'S3KnS m r^ (21

(D3"S) ]"K (1

p'Sixns pK •'^ns (22

"ns (2

p''Oim (30

im (3

p'snj^s (40

1^5 (4

P'SSIS (50

nro (5

P^SSJTT (60

Op5?T (6

P^S5?3*T (70

tan (7

P'S38 (80

DDK (8

p'SrjJ (90

r_^3 (9

t3iyT:iin (100

m (10

or's Dijriiin (101

T?y (11

"ns t3ij?7ain (102

n'?j?'ns (12

ttiyiJin "US (200

]sim (13

wnjriiin in*r (300

tSnj?D (14

isijrT^m yt (400

ISSIS (15

i3"ij?7iin nrs (500

|SDJ?T (16

mr^iis (1000

lsj;a''T (17

BJT^lU «nx (2000

tSDX (18

ix''7'a (1,000,000

isr_^3 (19

l^^V^a "US (2,000,000

p^sjxns (20

32

NUMBERS -

- pj?m:i

Numeral Adverbs:

Ordinals :

Firstly 0113U?1J?

iyt3ty-)5? (1

Secondly DJia^nS

nsris^iis (2

Thirdly DiDm

"i5?t3m (3

Fourthly etc. DitOiyS

nj?t)ij?s (4

"IJ?l35rD (5

Fractional Numerals

l5?i:oi?s?T (6
njrtsjra'T (7

A Half aVsn K

1J?13DK (8

A Quarter Vunj'S '^

ij?i3rj3 (9

A Third 'rtom K

1J?l33j;S (10

A Fifth etc. '?l3Sr3 »

"lJ?t)5'?J? (11

-ij;t35'?jnis (12

1J?t33Sim (13

-|J?t33Sn5?D (14

n5?t3n5l5 (15

-ijrwsajrT (i6

-)j;i332£5r2''T (17

■|J?t)aSDX (18

-ivi3isr_»3 (19

nj?!3Di?'S3SnS (20

33

Months :

— ]my$Q

Seasons :

up p5 iQr::2

January

nxiJX'

Spring

:^r'?''

February

-iKiiajro

Summer

nj?r

March

rixfa

Fall

Doai^

April

•pnsx

Winter

lyiar

May
June
July

Holidays :
Rosh Hashanah

August

t3Di:i''is

Yom Kippur

"1193-0

September
October
November
December

Sukkoth

Hanukkah

Purim

Passover

Shavouth

mai

no
mj;i5!

34

Days of the week:

— "tisiii npT lis Jj?Q

Sunday

lTl331T

Monday

p'Disia

Tuesday

p^tton

Wednesday

npD''a

Thursday

p^miv^^i

Friday

p'lomD

Saturday

nw

Last year

rx'KnsD

Today

t3r_'n

Tonight

mm rx dji'h

Yesterday

1!3DJ72

Midnight

DDW 5?3'7l?n

Day before yesterday

|t3D5?Jiy''i?

Tomorrow

]:iip

Day after tomorrow

i:^ij?a")j?2's

Next week

nsn 5?i?ni5?aip

A week ago

PS13DK-ISS

Two weeks ago

i?n^s pp '^ns 13'^

35

PROVERBS — -IptOiPIDnStl^

When one experiences failure — he become unduly careful.

Don't do tomorrow what you can do today.

After a good cry — one feels better.

Even one good ingredient can improve the flavor of a large dish.
Borrow causes sorrow. .pIXT B3Ka ^1X3 ,t

.ti5?iy ijrny'? IS in tjn t'x tiss njriayis x f^iK .e

On someone else's beard its good to learn to barber.

A young tree bends easily; an old one, when forced, breaks.

As you sow — so shall you reap.

.njr:^-)5? K'?''ax3 onyn ,iyDy3 d*3 tjiyn oy tx .9

If it doesnt get better — it gets worse.

."70^1^ 5?'?1D K pS DDJ?*??!? -)J?7''S ,'7D>3 K |1S \3^X nj?D5?a .10
It is not the quantity — but the quality.

Anything is possible — if God wills it.

36

.nsa "13?" -iKD nsiDi n tap^tj? tas:^ .12

God sends the cure before the plague.

.121:1 sanoia t^k diis i3i?:i okii .13

Whatever God does — it is for the best.

•nsniiKD 13^2 ^mvi2 rp ]vp /injrtyKa diu tjs:^ osn .14

What God decrees — man cannot prevent.

He is good for nothing .Ul'V IS D'i ]1S t3S:\ IS 13^J T'K IJ? .15

May God grant your wish. .|ins pri^ ^^^^ V^ "^'IJa T-T 115 .16

.V_^a S 'T'li? t)J?T ,'?''_'11 X n^tS 150X1 K .17
A guest for a short while — sees for a "mile".

Familiarity breeds contempt. .I3DK"? IS t3'?XD t)DJ?:^ IJTtJDX ]^ .18

All or nothing .D^JIp IjnS IKJl "IjriS .19

.nK'-Dtr^ XTK ]:^-ixa-t3i:^ k -iso op .20

One good turn deserves another.

,D^3 HDin rV IVa t3Xn nKS 13^3 fj^lS ]1K |":^ D^J H^IX .21
You never regret what you cannot get.

Money begets money. .D'pjril IS 0«:^ 'D^yy .22

Every little bit helps. .'?D^tt^ jr'rlS K t3-|5?n "^O'a i? t1J< '?D''2 S .23

,l3'>->t3l2?Ka D-lSn X ,t3''mXD SX"?!? X .24
A blow passes on, but a word spoken lingers on.

37

Tomorrow will take care of itself.

.1338*? t3S^ lis t)DK-lt) B?D35/a lyT .2.'
Man proposes and God disposes.

The masses are asses. .rl^7^^ K V^ n'?^V "IJ'T >2

.jrVjria^'a, ]td I3!?n D'-j bVxs jrVjrsy ost .2f

Like father — like son.

Don't mix business with pleasure.

,im n5?"r i^is dst i^ji*? ijrT n^ix op .3C

He says what he thinks.

.p-iKT 5?ii'T t3A3j?i2 ]:;ixa ijnj?' .31

Every day brings forth its own sorrows.

.niDna p^r*""!! mDs'?a "?'& .3?

Jack of all trades — but a master of none.

.i3''3 ij?a asn '?''n 'jr!3 oxn |ik ,t3''i tj?a V^'n mn 'va oxn .33

What you can't acquire, don't desire.

.-)3?a5?9i2? I'rXD ,r'?^n ttpKH ij;a ts .34

Let the chips fall where they may.

.ttSxty-iyma ^n ij?P"ii?t)ty t^s t3Di?t2^n5n ,35

Friendship is stronger than kinship.

38

Money talks. .nyi H 15?a t)Sn ,J?a»X3 n ttSn IJra TS .36

Cheapest is dearest. ."1J?l''l5 fK p'^S fS Dp .37

It's no use. .OypJJSa: pni5 S '11 US^JTH DJ? .38

t3l'S l"p ]!?T B^: DVp ,ODi:\ 1X3 lJ?p3NT 13S:^ 'tKT J?Z3 IJni .39

.Dt)D5?'?ir fl'IS nn pK'7pXa IS
Count your blessings.

A learned man always finds a solution.

.njrrv '-'2 Kta^i t^s nyr^srx ni'?j;» j?'7S .41

You can't have everything.

You rebuke your daughter — but mean your daughter-in-law.

.n'''7n 'svf ]i5 SKIS D's |j;x3 loT^'iB? ,53:^ nsri nnsT lya tk .43

If you need the thief — cut him down from the gallows.

All shoemakers go barefoot. .DjninS2 |J?":^ OljrtJDW JTVK .44

.pX' n ISl 131211? "7^^ IJ'T '^S
Experience is the best teacher (Live and learn).

Anything in excess is unhealthy. .t521T3r:^aiS TS t31A IS .46

nzanVa nj?T i^s "rsT nj?T ipyziij? d'3 i5'ii'?13 rv ixp dj? nyii .47

.t":^ t3';i

If you are not prepared to accept the consequences, don't go
to battle.

39

Don't judge a book by its covers.

Where there is Torah (knowledge) — there is wisdom.

At the baths all are equal. ( Fundamentaly there is no
difference between the rich and the poor).

Nine Rabbis cannot make a Minyan but ten cobblers can.

.^m n5?T n^is 113^12? ni^2 t^x :iii^ ij?t ^^ik p5?t3D^j k !?3 op ♦s-

What a sober man thinks — a drunkard speaks.

♦pKH ^ra T^i^ I5?!a Tia ^T23-D*^^i2? nis .52

Even the luckless need luck.

Whether he be a Rabbi or a lowly Bath-House keeper — all
have enemies.

When a fool goes to market, the merchants rejoice.

.lT!?n iD^3 DjranK ya^Kn rv 15^!a ^kd ikj k .56

Never show a fool a job half done.

A foolishness is remembered. ,^n ttpJ5?7J?3^ D''''pli^''ni?^ ^ ^5^

Things may get worse — before they get better.

40

Don't depend upon miracles.

A "receiver" is not a "giver". nj?25?:\ TV ^^^ ^^^^^ ^ ^60

.^n natt^J n T^X — r^'PX .61
Don't depend upon others — do it yourself.

If you deal with tar — you should expect your hands to get
dirty.

.nnm n isrojn?. fVx n^ij? ij?t ij^iS?"?? op ♦ea

The smaller the company the greater the feast.
Parents can provide everything except "good-luck".

.lj?3jni«i y^7] to^i iKQ pxn-D5? is .65

An ignoramus should not pray aloud.

.y'p^sm ijraVsn j? v)h mrjj? V^'Six .66

Too much modesty is half conceit .

.n5?"l5?1iS ]K ^3K ,1J?15?n5? 18 lin TS"? .67
It may be even worse — but at least, it's a change.

.^^ia r« tt^i is?a DKH ^'p^is T^s ijra TI? .68

A lazy one can't make a living.

.ir^nsT yo^na ,n5r'7rp jro^n:^ — insT jrr^^p ;"ij?7JV 3?^'"'?? *69

Little children, little troubles — big children, big troubles.

41

A sick one is asked — the healthy one is given.

Don't ask the doctor — ask the patient.

The less one says, the healthier (Silence is gold).

.Iinon 8 '?xax m r^ is .72

Too much of anything is undesirable.

."PDir DJ?35?^"S lt3^a ID lli? — ttO'V^'ll TT lJ?aj?n 13^23 "I'T 13X1X2, .74
Ask advice from everyone — but act according to your own
mind.

.VT^a OayiJ?'' T^X Vtl^-D^Viy Di35?3"X .75
Someone's misfortune may be your good fortune.

.lj?a isnxD isTaiJ? is?a tx .76

Grease the axle — and it will ride smoothly.

.IT'riKD nyr^s |ix ijrmjr:^ -lyr^s nx3 (|Disp) iV'sir "ns ijni .77

When two play a game — there must be a winner and a loser.

.nains n ivvs. loinys n^xan n nsrojra .78

Better to break off an engagement — than a marriage.

D"i?iyns2 r.'T i3Ti'n nx3 -i5?t ^VDii' njTT taVsnsa ")5?^'i'?i? "^Vf .79

.D"'nx

A wise man conceals his intelligence — the fool displays his
foolishness.

42

Money talks. .t3'?jni n U^DtZ? ^^^1 fl'lS .80

.ly^D oajrij?'' n^is u^^s n fK pxai2?5rx .81

The grass is greener in someone else's yard.

Haste makes waste. .D^nK I3''i DtJi:^ fV ^»P tJ^^JJ?^-^^ ]15 .82

A blind horse makes straight for the pit.

.t)'3 i5?a tJTVnKD s'ataD jrtJ^'rKa k .84

A bad penny always turns up.

.n^ts T^K Tr^ntxf ^ my^ti ijria t« .85

If there is room for question, something is wrong.

♦I'ltyj? ijra D^A |'2i?j;'' a^i t)'':^ ijria tx .86

If you don't give to Jacob, you'll give to Esau.

? pK rV tt'i lya t)"l5?3t335? |Tn ID^IK T:^n3 T^K |J?a TS .87
He that has a grudge against the Hazzan, also begrudges the
"Amen".

,r^ IS T'K n'?3 n ,p"iDn x .88

A fault-finder complains that the bride is too beautiful.

,]^'<f'\ IS DDiPSn 1X: S .89
Foolishness doesn't have to be cultivated.

.Dn ywn T'K ]1T]^ rs njriy s .90

Even one hour of paradise is worth while.

43

.y^^ yi 157!2 t53y'7-ij?T ,1333?'? I5?a TX .91

If you live long enough you will live to see everything.
If you stay at home you won't wear out your shoes.

.53^1 -njr^ty |«p Dsn i5?Dj?a .93

Better and better knows no limit.

The whole world is not crazy. .5?J1tya t3''i fX tj'py'n n .94

.i30'''T»is 05? Di^np i5?a — ns''sa 5?t30j;-i:^ n t'>s laj?'? oki .95

Life is the greatest bargain; we get it for nothing.

His charity ends at his pocket. .p"7Sa "lj?tti:i K fK "IJ? .96

.st3'3 nmsn r^j? t's iiyps? is -iso .97

For the disease of stubborness there exists no cure.

.i3'a ^Dty I""!? n^j /f'pK |j?a DMipxa D'?57:^ nss .98

Money buys everything except common sense.

13^:^ lix nj?r''K r-a nsj tsay^ -ij? — im d^^ t^x r^*?}? ds:h .99

nJ?T3i? n5?T
God is not rich; all he does is take from one and give to
another.

.1D31S t5J?1S3 pK ]T^)H DSn 13XJI .100
God sits on high and makes matches below. (Marriages are
made in heaven).

.larjo n "ikd t3'2 ,7r_nD n nss "i't ]5?a "tst p^n ,101

Protect me from my friends, not from my enemies.

44

.iV^jj-is?! IS un vn m-is 5?3yi3ii?J?^"iya''» .102

Bygone trouble is good to tell.

No choice is also a choice. .T\yi^ 5? Tli^ T''S m^lS fV .103

♦im tjjrn oy iJiKS D5?XDjni t3^2 lao^'n njrr'j? .104

No one knows what the morrow will bring.

Charm is more than beauty .fB? 1J?afX la'''':^ in .105

.t3D^^Diy n i^in ^n lO'ii iDojrn ssii? pp .i06

Look down if you would know how high you stand.

.|t35^an5?a'K ]ViVP Tt ddVxt m 'itx in jinp — in t3D:\np n tk .107

In a quarrel — leave the door open for a reconciliation.

5?i3^i"i r« D5?PtJ?t3i?p n ]iK ,Dj7nns2 nijri n tsr^m "ijransn .108

The evidence has no basis for truth.

.uiST Qj? T'S "rsas ,xi 05r t'K '?sas — pnajrViv t^s t3'?5?^ .109
Money is round, it truckles. (Wheels of fortune turn).

.t3^i n^i^p r^ Ijria D:^j?nD nti^jrx: k T'IX .110

Don't ask questions about fairy tales.

."iyaj?3 D^J i^Vk Tf iva l^P 13jr:^ d^3 't''^ msi ts .111

If God does not give — one cannot take.

He who hesitates is lost. ,^l^iyy ^^n Dixnj?:^ IS'S Op .112

Still waters run deep. .«l't) B3K1A 1^0811 '?''t5B? .113

45

.K^ll 15?3'7Sn J? TK pxn DS7 .114
The heart is half a prophet. (Do as your heart dictates).

.ITJiKn D'p^n lis ]7JiKn may-ia di^s 't .115

Time is the best healer.

The higher you climb, the harder you fall.

.nVBiyn '^ns tk oy u-isrii ,ij?t3-i5;tyKa ivt aap ojr m .117

The right mate comes with the first date.

All year a drunk — on Purim sober. V-/

.ty-'S n IKS ItypN"? n t3''3 t3QJ?D .119
Don't put the cart before the horse.

46

The following proverbs in Hebrew and Aramaic are examples
of wise sayings developed by the Jewish people in life situations.
They are not quotes from Talmudic or Midrashic literature
though they may resemble some. Just as we have single words
of Hebrew and Aramaic absorbed in Yiddish — we also have
complete phrases that have remained as wise sayings of the
people. The following is a small sampling of these:

Misery likes company. .T\mi ^Sn D''an ms J20

Words that emanate from the heart are acceptable to another.

♦^Ta nis^a mpa nw?^ .122

When one changes his place — his luck may change.

One guest may not invite another. .nniK O^iDtt nniK ]*'S J23

♦mm 1^ D^ais mjj^n ^^nnan J24

He who begins to perform a Mitzvah is encouraged to
finish it.

/OB^n n^T x"? latn mT^ n;^ J25

Whatever time will produce — logic cannot.

47

Habit is second nature.

.j?ai3 niyjrj "r^iin ,12

Honor him — but also suspect his motives, .mwm imnD A2
He who gives us life will provide us with sustenance.

.5?^3 B^rKa ij^rx ,j?:^d s"? x-niaa xiid .12s

Mountains never greet, but friends meet.

48

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