Learn the Mama Loshn
Yiddish Word of the Day
A new word every day, plus the full phrasebook below.
Meshugge
meh-SHUG-ehadjectiveCrazy, nonsensical.
“You want to drive to Florida overnight? That's meshugge.”
The Phrasebook
ChutzpahKHUTS-pah
Shameless audacity or nerve, for better or worse.
Menschmensh
A person of real integrity and honor. The highest compliment.
Schlepshlep
To drag or haul something with effort, or a tedious journey.
Kvetchkvech
To complain, habitually and at length.
Noshnahsh
To snack, or the snack itself.
Schmoozeshmooz
To chat warmly and work the room.
Kvellkvel
To burst with pride and joy, usually over family.
NudnikNOOD-nik
A tiresome, pestering person who will not let up.
Verklemptfer-KLEMPT
Choked up, overcome with emotion.
MavenMAY-vin
An expert or connoisseur who really knows their stuff.
Schmaltzshmahlts
Rendered chicken fat, or, figuratively, over-the-top sentimentality.
Klutzkluts
A clumsy, accident-prone person.
Shlemielshleh-MEEL
A hapless, inept person, the one who spills the soup.
Shlimazelshli-MAH-zel
A chronically unlucky person, the one the soup gets spilled on.
BubkesBUP-kes
Nothing at all; a laughably small amount.
Meshuggemeh-SHUG-eh
Crazy, nonsensical.
NachesNAKH-es
The proud joy you get from someone else's achievements.
Plotzplots
To collapse or burst, from emotion, exhaustion, or shock.
TchotchkeCHOTCH-keh
A small trinket or knickknack, usually cluttering a shelf.
YentaYEN-tah
A gossip or busybody, and by tradition, a matchmaker.
Spielshpeel
A long, well-rehearsed pitch or speech.
TuchusTUKH-us
The backside, the rear end.
Oy veyoy vey
An all-purpose sigh of dismay, exhaustion, or exasperation.
Mazel tovMAH-zl tov
Congratulations; literally, good luck or good fortune.