Yiddish Verbs
Welcome to the 10th lesson about verbs in Yiddish. We will first learn about the present tense, followed by the past tense, and future tense. We will also analyze some grammar rules, and finally practice how to ask for direction in Yiddish.
Verbs are used to express an action (I swim) or a state of being (I am). The present tense in Yiddish conveys a situation or event in the present time. Here are some examples:
| Present Tense | Yiddish |
|---|---|
| I speak English | איך רעד ענגליש |
| you speak French | דו רעדסט פראנצייזיש |
| he speaks German | ער רעדט דײַטש |
| she speaks Italian | זי רעדט איטאַליעניש |
| we speak Arabic | מיר רעדן אַראַביש |
| they speak Chinese | זיי רעדן כינעזיש |
The past tense in Yiddish conveys a situation or event in the past time. Here are some examples:
| Past Tense | Yiddish |
|---|---|
| I visited France | איך האָב באזוכט פֿראַנקרײַך |
| you visited Italy | דו האָסט באזוכט איטאליע |
| he visited Morocco | ער הוט באזוכט מאָראָקקאָ |
| she visited China | זי באזוכט כינע |
| we visited Mexico | מיר האָבן באזוכט מעקסיקאָ |
| they visited Kenya | זיי האָבען באזוכט קעניאַ |
The future tense in Yiddish conveys a situation or event which is anticipated to happen in the future. Here are some examples:
| Future Tense | Yiddish |
|---|---|
| I will drink milk | איך וועל טרינקען מילך |
| you will drink coffee | איר וועט טרינקען קאַווע |
| he will drink tea | ער וועט טרינקען טיי |
| she will drink water | זי וועט טרינקען וואַסער |
| we will drink apple juice | מיר וועלן טרינקען עפּל זאַפט |
| they will drink tea | זיי וועלן טרינקען טיי |
Now let's take a break and refresh our vocabulary by learning the body parts.
ear אויר | eye אויגען | mouth מויל | nose נאָז |
hair האָר | face פאנים | head קאָפּ | heart האַרץ |
hand האַנט | fingers פינגער | leg פוס | feet פֿיס |
Travel Phrases in Yiddish
Imagine yourself in some Yiddish speaking country. The following travel phrases are highly important and can help you avoid misunderstanding. Try to memorize them and practice!
| English | Yiddish |
|---|---|
| Can you help me? | קענט איר מיר העלפן? |
| Can I help you? | קען איך אײַך העלפן? |
| Where is the airport? | ווו איז דער אַעראָפּאָרט? |
| Go straight | גיי גראָד |
| Then | דעמאָלט |
| Turn left | דרייַ לינקס |
| Turn right | דרייַ רעכט |
I hope this lesson about the verbs in Yiddish was not hard for you. If you have any question about this lesson please contact me here. Now it's time to check the next lesson below.
| Yiddish Audio |
Inspirational Quote: Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. Goethe |