Pennsylvania Dutch Dictionary and Words List

A

Abbreviated Watchtower Study noun = Katzah Shtoddi Funn Da Vatshtavvah

A theocratic term.

about adv = baut

as in nearly or almost.

Examples

Miah sinn baut datt.

about prep

(concerning or in regard to)
(See also prepositions lesson guide)

about prep = veyyich (common used)
(before a noun or pronoun; in the middle of a sentence)

Examples

Miah zayla shvetza veyyich dei grades.

Vass veyyich dich?
about prep = diveyya (common used)
(at the end of a sentence or thought when there’s no noun or pronoun after it)

Examples

Vass zayla miah shvetza diveyya in deah article?

Sell is vass ich am shvetza binn diveyya.

Vass kenna miah du diveyya?

above all adv = ovvich alles

accept verb = eksepta

ich | eksept
eah/see/es | eksept
miah | eksepta
diah | ekseptet
si | eksepta

PAST TENSE ↺ | eksept

acceptable adj = acceptable

Examples

Sell is acceptable.

access verb = aeksessa

Examples

Miah zayla’s information aeksessa.

act verb = aekta

(not ~~ohshikka~~)

PAST TENSE ↺ | gaekt

acted out adj = ausgaekt

Examples

Ich gleich awl di talks un sacha es ausgaekt vadda.

action noun = es aekshin

di aekshins | ↀ Plural

actually = aekshli

advice noun = es advice

affect verb = afekta (common used)

ich | afekt
miah | afekta
si | afekta

PAST TENSE ↺ | afekt

affected adj = afekt (common used)

Examples

Vi mecht ma afekt sei vann em sei job tshaynsht?

after

(See Language Lesson to see the differences)

after = noch (common used)
(without mention of when)
(See also another and still)
after = nohch (common used)
(following right after / immediately or next)

afternoon noun = nochmiddawk (common used)

(this) afternoon noun = dinochmidawk (common used)

afterward adv = nochdihand (common used)

(after something; commonly confused with afterwords)

age noun = di eld (common used)

Examples

Si sinn baut di saym eld.

agree verb = agreeya (common used)

ich | agree
du | agreesht
eah/see/es | agreet
miah | agreeya
diah | agreeyet
si | agreeya

PAST TENSE ↺ | agreet

all the way at the bottom (there) = gans drunna (common used)

(Note: Adjust drunna to match the direction/location from the speaker.)

Examples

Sayn di button? ’Sis gans drunna.

allow verb

(Not to be confused with the adj version)

allow verb = daufa (common used)
(as in may / opposite of may not)
(Commonly used in general conversation)
(Not to be confused with the adj version)
- ich | dauf
- du | daufsht
- eah/see/se | dauft
- miah | daufa
- diah | daufet
- si | daufa
- PAST TENSE ↺ | daufa
allow verb = alawva (less used)
(in reference to commands or laws)
(Not to be confused with the adj version)
- PAST TENSE ↺ | alawbt

allowed adj

(Use with forms of sei or vadda)
(Not to be confused with the verb version)

allowed adj = daufa (common used)
(Commonly used in general conversation)
(Use with forms of sei or vadda)
allowed adj = alawbt (less used)
(in reference to commands or laws)
(Use with forms of sei or vadda)

Examples

Du bisht alawbt fa shvetza fa dich selvaht.

amazing adj

amazing adj = amazing (common used)
(with neuter nouns)

Examples

’Sis amazing vi ald da gaul is!
amazing adj = amaysingi (common used)
(with feminine and plural nouns)

Examples

Amaysingi sacha sinn am haebna heit.

Amish noun = da Amishah (common used)

Person who belongs to the Amish religion.
Contrast with Deitshi leit (those who speak Pennsylvania Dutch; regardless of their beliefs).

di Amishi | ↀ Plural

Examples

Es voah en Amishah datt.

Daviess County Amishi sinn known fa iahra Southern twang.

and so on phrase = un so veidah

As in etc, etc.

angel noun = da engel (common used)

Angels (plural) is not ~~engla~~.

di engel | ↀ Plural

animal noun = es animal (common used)

not ~~diahra~~

di animals | ↀ Plural

another adj = noch

Examples

Sell is noch en reesin es miah shaffa free mieyets.

answer noun = da ensah

di ensahs | ↀ Plural

answer verb = ensahra

ich | ensah
eah/see/es | ensaht
miah | ensahra
diah | ensahret
si | ensahra

PAST TENSE ↺ | gensaht

antique noun = da antique

di antiques | ↀ Plural

anymore adv = may

Any long, at the present; especially when talking about now verses in the past.
(Compare with no longer (nimmi))

Words anymore (may) and no longer (nimmi) mean about the same. The difference is: nimmi goes along with a verb; may can be used by itself (usually at the end of a sentence).

Examples

Ich binn nau zu ald un kann baut nix du may.

Miah henn di train fafayld un ’sis nix es miah du kenna may.

Vass kann ich du? Nix nau may. Alles is faddich.

apply verb = apleiya

ich | apleiy
du | apleiysht
eah/see/es | apleiyt
miah | apleiya
diah | apleiyet
si | apleiya

appreciate verb = apreeshayda

ich | apreeshayt
du | apreeshaysht
eah/see/es | apreeshayt
miah | apreeshayda
diah | appreeshaydet
si | apreeshayda

PAST TENSE ↺ | apreeshayt

area noun = di area

di areas | ↀ Plural

argue verb

argue verb = argyoowa
Examples

Ich zayl nett argyoowa mitt dich.
argue verb = maula
Examples

Even vann diah bays sind, boviahret hatt fa nett shteahra maula.

argument noun = da argument

Examples

en grohsah argument..

article noun = da article

di articles | ↀ Plural

ask verb = frohwa (common used)

(See also question (verb))

ich | frohk
du | frohksht
eah/see/es | frohkt
miah | frohwa
diah | frohwet
si | frohwa

PAST TENSE ↺ | kfrohkt

Examples

Miah frohwa dich fa ohhalda may lanna veyyich sell.

asked adj = kfrohkt

(Not to be confused with the past tense of the verb.)

at = an

at once adv = ufamoll

At the same time; at a time.

Examples

’Sis hatt fa focusa uf may’s ay ding ufamoll.

Awl ufamoll hott alles getshaynsht.

Nemm ay dawk ufamoll.

ate verb

Past tense of eat.

ate (what a human did) verb = gessa
ate (what an animal did) verb = kfressa

ate up verb = ufkfressa

Past tense of eat up.

attacked adj = ataekt

Examples

Favass missa miah uns nett feicha vann miah ataekt vadda?

Da Gad zayld ataekt vadda bei rawwah…

attitude noun = da attitude

di attitudes | ↀ Plural

available adj = available (common used)

Examples

Du hosht andem nett awl di bichah es available sinn in dei language.

B

back

back noun = da bukkel (common used)
Part of the body.
back adv = zrikk
As in a direction.
back adj = hinna
As in a location.

Do not confuse hinna with the word hinnah.

bad news noun = di bad news (common used)

Examples

Miah henn samm bad news grikt funn da doktah.

baptized adj = gedawft (common used)

(use with a form of sei or vadda)

Examples

Vass setsht du denka diveyya eb gedawft vatsht?

based verb = gebayst

Past tense of base.

Examples

Eah hott sei discussions uf facts gebayst.

based adj = gebayst

Examples

Alles is gebayst uf medical research.

bear verb = shtenda (common used)

To handle or stand a situation.

Examples

Ich binn so hungahrich es ich’s baut nett shtenda kann.

beat verb = beeda

To win at something (game, race, etc). To have success over someone or something.

PAST TENSE ↺ | gebodda

Examples

Ich zayl dich beeda.

Ich habb dich gebodda!

because

because = koss (common used)
because = because (less used)

beehive = eema-haus

before = eb

In time or order, but not necessarily about the past.

(Compare with previously)

(See also if/whether (eb))

Examples

Miah zayla essa eb sell.

beforehand = ebdihand

As in “in advance”; “ahead of time”.

Examples

Favass sett ma en list macha ebdihand vann ma zu da shtoah gayt?

behind adj = hinnich (common used)

As in a location.

Examples

’Sis hinnich’s haus.

Si sinn hinnich uns.

belief noun = da glawva

A person’s faith, beliefs, or religion.

(See also faith)

di glawva | ↀ Plural

Examples

Vi kann ich da recht glawva finna?

Mach dei glawva shteikah.

believe verb = glawva (common used)

To trust or believe something as true.

Used at the start or end of a sentence when someone would say ‘I think’ in English.

See examples 2 and 3.
glawb ich can be shortened to glavvich

ich | glawb
du | glawbsht
eah/see/es | glawbt
miah | glawva
diah | glawvet
si | glawva

PAST TENSE ↺ | geglawbt

Examples

Ich kann’s nett glawva!

Si zayla da gans dawk bleiva, glawb ich.

Glawb’s voah geshtah.

Vass maynd’s fa convinced sei funn vass ma glawbt?

belong verb = heahra (common used)

The property of someone; something someone rightly deserves.

ich | heah
du | heahsht
eah/see/es | heaht
miah | heahra
diah | heahret
si | heahra

PAST TENSE ↺ | keaht

Examples

Gevvet Jehova da honor es zu sei nohma heaht.

beneath it phrase = unna droh

Or under it.

Examples

Gukk an di piktahs un vass’s sawkt unna droh.

benefit verb

benefit verb = benefidda
To be helped because of something.
- ich | benefit
- eah/see/se | benefit
- miah | benefidda
- si | benefidda
- PAST TENSE ↺ | benefit
Examples

Miah bennafida funn dei shayni vadda.

Vi henn si benefit funn da program?
(be of) benefit verb = badda
To matter; to make a difference or change an outcome.
- When used in the negative (es batt nix), it means it doesn’t matter or change anything.
- eah/see/se | batt
- miah | badda
- si | badda
Examples

Ich habb da Johnny sei hoot gebrocht. Avvah es batt een nix koss eah is nett dihaym.

Ich habb hatt boviahra, avvah es batt nix.

benefits noun = di benefits

Plural of benefit (noun).

beside prep = nayvich (common used)

Physically next to something.

Examples

Da nei bohm is geblanst nayvich’s haus.

better adj

better adj = bessah
(Used alone or with neuter nouns)

Examples

Zayla sacha selayva bessah vadda?
better adj = bessahrah
(Used with masculine nouns)

Examples

’Sis en bessahrah vayk fa’s lanna.
better adj = bessahri
(Used with feminine nouns)

Examples

Is dess en bessahri zeit fa dich kawla?

better (one) noun = bessahrah

Examples

Ich binn en teacher avvah du bisht en bessahrah.

better (thing) phrase = ebbes bessahs

A better thing. Note the -s at the end of bessah.

Examples

Miah kenna shuah sei es ebbes bessahs kumma is.

Bible Study noun = da Bivvel Shtoddi

Theocratic term.

Bible Talk noun = da Bivvel Talk

Theocratic term. Most common when referring to the Public Talk on the weekend.

bird noun

bird noun = es birdi (common used)
- di birdis | ↀ Plural
bird noun = da fohl (less used)
- di feyyel | ↀ Plural

bit noun = es gebiss

The steel part of the bridle that goes in an animal’s mouth.

blame verb = blayma

ich | blaym
miah | blayma
si | blayma

bless verb = blessa (common used)

blessed adj = geblest (common used)

Examples

Miah sinn geblest.

blessings noun = di blessings

boo-boo noun = atzi

An ouchy; used for pain when talking to small children.

boot noun = da shtiffel

di shtiffel | ↀ Plural

bother verb = badra (common used)

To inconvenience, annoy or disturb; interrupt.

To cause worry or concern.

PAST TENSE ↺ | gebaddaht

Examples

So sacha zayla dich nimmi badra.

Ich vill dich nett badra.

bowl (large) noun = di shissel

A serving bowl or large mixing bowl.

bowl (small) noun = di shisli

brave adj = brayf

bridle noun = da zohm

Animal’s headgear; usually containing the bit and reins.

bright adj

bright adj = breiyt
(Use alone or with a neuter noun)
bright adj = breiyti
(Use with feminine or plural nouns)
bright adj = breiytah
(Use with masculine nouns)

buggy noun = es buggy

Horse-pulled transportation.

built adj = gebaut

(Not to be confused with the past tense verb of build.)

Examples

Selli cabins sinn gebaut mitt hols.

busier adj = bissiyah

busy adj = bissi

Examples

Ich vays es du bissi bisht.

C

calm adj = kawm

(See also shtill (quiet))

caption noun = vass’s sawkt unna droh (common used)

An explanation or information; usually under a picture or chart that explains it.

(Lit: what is says under it)

Examples

Gukk an di piktahs un vass’s sawkt unna droh.

cards noun = di koada

Playing cards. (Plural)

Examples

Vitt du koada shpeela?

Ich kann baut nett voahra fa koada shpeela.

carve out verb = raus tshibba

To carve something or chip out something.

cause verb = kawsa

certain adj

certain adj = sirten
(Use alone or with neuter nouns)
certain adj = sirtendi
(Use with feminine or plural nouns)
certain adj = sirtendah
(Use with masculine nouns)

chance noun = di chance

di chances | ↀ Plural

change noun = da tshaynsh

di tshaynshes | ↀ Plural

change verb = tshaynsha

ich | tshaynsh
du | tshaynsht
eah/see/es | tshaynsht
miah | tshaynsha
diah | tshaynshet
si | tshaynsha

PAST TENSE ↺ | getshaynsht

chapter noun = da chapter (common used)

di chapters | ↀ Plural

check verb = tshekka

chew verb = tshawwa (common used)

chip out verb = raus tshibba

To chip out; carve something out of something else.

choice noun = da choice

di choices | ↀ Plural

choose verb = tshoosa

ich | tshoos
miah | tshoosa
diah | tshooset
si | tshoosa

PAST TENSE ↺ | getshoost

choose from verb = raus laysa

To pick out; select from.

PAST TENSE ↺ | raus glaysa

Examples

Ich habb di goodi aebbeahra raus glaysa.

Christians noun = di Christians (common used)

(Plural) Not ~~grishta-leit~~.

Examples

Veah sinn rechti Christians?

clear adj = clear (common used)

clearly adj = clearly (common used)

Examples

Miah kenna di sunn clearly sayna heit.

Dess helft uns clearly vissa vass aekshli kaebbend hott.

close verb = zu macha

Opposite of to open.

(Note: These 2 words work together but do not have to be right next to each other in the sentence. See examples.)

PAST TENSE ↺ | zu gmacht

Examples

Mach di deah zu.

Ich zayl di deah zu macha.

close adj

Emotionally close.

close adj = klohs
(Use alone or with neuter nouns)
close adj = klohsi
(Use with feminine or plural nouns)

Examples

klohsi friends
close adj = klohsah
(Use with masculine nouns)

Examples

en klohsah friend

collect verb = kalekta

color noun = da kollah

di kollahs | ↀ Plural

Examples

Di blettah funn di baym sinn am kollahs tshaynsha.

come verb = kumma

ich | kumm
du | kumsht
eah/see/es | kumd
miah | kumma
diah | kummet
si | kumma

PAST TENSE ↺ | kumma (Note: Use with the helper verb sei)

Examples

Ich kumm glei.

Ich binn kumma geshtah.

come up verb = ufkumma

To happen or come to someone’s attention.

Conjugate kumma for to match the pronoun.

PAST TENSE ↺ | ufkumd

Examples

Shpendet zeit shvetza mitt eiyah kinnah, nett yusht vann problems ufkumma.

Favass sedda miah nett ufgevva vann ebbes ufkumd es’s hatt is.

Vass fa importandah question kumd uf?

comfort noun = da kamfirt

Feeling of relief or encouragement.

comfort verb = kamfirta

eah/see/es | kamfirt
miah | kamfirta
si | kamfirta

comforting adj = kamfirting

coming together phrase = am zammah kumma

Progress is being made.

Examples

Alles is am zammah kumma.

common adj

common adj = common (common used)
common adj = kommini (less used)
(Use with feminine or plural nouns)

compare verb = kamperra

eah/see/es | kamperd
miah | kamperra
si | kamperra

PAST TENSE ↺ | kamperd

congregation noun = di congregation

di congregations | ↀ Plural

content adj = zufridda (common used)

To be satisfied with, or happy with something. Often seeing no need to change.

Examples

Ich binn zufridda mitt vass ich habb.

continue verb = ohhalda

Conjugate halda to the pronoun.

PAST TENSE ↺ | ohkalda

control noun = kantrohl

control verb = kantrohla

eah/see/es | kantrohld
miah | kantrohla
si | kantrohla

PAST TENSE ↺ | kantrohld

convention noun = di convention

A large gathering.

di conventions | ↀ Plural

cooperate verb = koahberayda

copy noun = da kabbi

An transcript, or reproduction of an original item.

di kabbis | ↀ Plural

copy verb = kabbiya

correct adj = recht

correct verb = korekta

Make or set something or someone right.

cost noun = di kosht

counsel noun = es counsel

counter noun = da counter

A level surface (table, shelf or display case) over which transactions are conducted or food is served or on which items are displayed.

Examples

Gukk an da display counter.

couple noun = di couple

Two people who are married. (See also married people.)

di couples | ↀ Plural

couple adj = poah

As in amount; also a few.

courage noun = da courage

crooked adj

Not straight.

crooked adj = grumm (common used)
Not straight. Bowed, warped, or with twists and turns. (For example: a road, a wall that’s bowed)

Examples

Da vayk is grumm.
crooked adj = shebb (common used)
Not straight; as in not level or crooked. (For example: a picture on a wall, a wall, or to step wrongly and twisted your foot)

Note: Never used to describe a road. (See grumm instead.)

Examples

’S piktah is shebb.

Ich habb shebb kshtebt.
crooked adj = shrayks (common used)
On an angle; tilted.

Examples

Hald di pann shrayks fa’s leahra.

cut with scissors verb

To cut with scissors.

miah | shneida
diah | shneidet
si | shneida

cut with scissors verb = shneida
Often with scissors.

Never used when talking about wood; use saw (verb) instead)

(Compare with saw (verb), shear (sheahra), and shpalda (verb).)
- ich | shneit
- du | shneitsht
- eah/see/se | shneit
- miah | shneida
- diah | shneidet
- si | shneida
- PAST TENSE ↺ | kshnidda
Examples

Si sinn di rekk shneida.
cut with scissors verb = sheahra (common used)
To cut with scissors or clippers.
- miah | sheahra
- diah | sheahret
- si | sheahra
- PAST TENSE ↺ | kshoahra
Examples

Ich muss mei hoah sheahra.

Eah voah sei shohf sheahra.

D

dangerous adj = kfeahlich

Examples

’Sis kfeahlich fa lawfa inna blatz’s dunkel is unni en licht.

daughter noun = es maydel (common used)

Especially an unmarried daughter.

di mayt | ↀ Plural

day noun = da dawk

When talking about a specific number of days, you do not have to use the plural form. (See example)

di dawwa | ↀ Plural

Examples

Poah dawk shpaydah.

Drei dawk shpaydah henn si een kfunna.

Vi feel dawwa bleibsht du datt?

day adj = dawk

As in daylight, daytime.

Examples

Ich zayl’s du veil’s dawk is.

day after tomorrow = ivvah meiya

day before yesterday = foah geshtah

dead noun = di dohda (common used)

Those who have died as a group.

Examples

Kenna di dohda aekshli viddah layva?

dead adj = doht

The condition of someone who has died.

Not to be confused with da doht (death).

Examples

Da giant is doht uf da bodda kfalla!

Di dohdi animals.

deal verb = deela

Endure or handle; often used along with mitt.

ich | deel
miah | deela
si | deela

PAST TENSE ↺ | gedeelt

Examples

Sell’s hatt fa deela mitt.

death noun

death noun = da doht (common used)
Examples

Gott hast da doht; eah gukk’s oh vi en enemy.
death noun = shtauves (less used)
Used in the Bible, but less common.

decide verb = diseiyda

du | deseiytsht
eah/see/es | diseiyt
miah | diseiyda
diah | diseiydet
si | diseiyda

PAST TENSE ↺ | diseiyt

decision noun = da decision

di decisions | ↀ Plural

Examples

Vass zayld helfa fa en goodah decision macha?

dedicate (oneself) verb = layva fa Jehova

Personally deciding to live for God, done before becoming baptized; (lit: living for Jehovah)

deep adj

deep adj = deef
(Use alone or with a neuter noun.)
deep adj = deefi
(Use with feminine or plural nouns)

deeper adj

deeper adj = deefah
(Use with neuter and masculine nouns)
deeper adj = deefahri
(Use with feminine and plural nouns)

Deitsh speaker noun = Deitshah (common used)

Person who speaks Pennsylvania Dutch / Pennsylvania German (Deitsh); regardless of their beliefs or religion.

(Not to be confused with Amishi; those of the Amish religion.)

di Deitshi leit | ↀ Plural

Examples

Eah is’n Deitshah.

Es sinn en latt Deitshi leit do rumm.

delete verb = dileeda

deliberately adv = poahbes

To do something on purpose. Purposely.

Examples

Ich habb nett poahbes.

Ebbah poahbes doht macha is letz.

depend verb = dipenda

desire noun = da villa

What a person wants.

di villa | ↀ Plural

Examples

Vi vissa miah es Gott nett sei villa getshaynsht hott fa mensha?

desire verb = vill havva (common used)

To really want something or desire that it happens.

Examples

En maem un daett vill havva vass besht is fa iahra kinnah.

Because funn sell, vill eah havva es miah releiya uf een.

destroy verb = distroiya

PAST TENSE ↺ | distroit

Examples

Da hund hott da shoo distroit.

destroyed adj = distroit

Examples

Di shtatt zayld distroit vadda bei da shtoahm.

devour verb = fressa

(Animals only) to eat.

(Humans) to overeat, or eat too fast or impolitely.
(Generally, humans essa (eat)).

ich | fress
du | fresht
eah/see/es | frest
miah | fressa
diah | fresset
si | fressa

PAST TENSE ↺ | kfressa

Examples

Kaeffahra un termites fressa di baym un’s hols.

dictionary noun = di dictionary

di dictionaries | ↀ Plural

die verb

die verb = shtauva
(Humans)
- PAST TENSE ↺ | kshtauva (Note: Use with the helper verb sei)
die verb = doht gay
(Animals)
- PAST TENSE ↺ | doht ganga (Note: Use with the helper verb sei)

difference noun = da diffans (common used)

Not ~~unnahshitt~~.

different adj

different adj = diffand
(Use alone or with neuter nouns.)
different adj = diffandi
(Use with feminine nouns.)
different adj = diffandah
(Use with masculine nouns.)

direction noun = es direction

Guidance or instructions.

di directions | ↀ Plural

discipline noun = dissaplin

disciplined adj = dissaplind

Vi doon samm aekta vann si dissaplind vadda bei iahra eldra?

disease noun

disease noun = di disease (common used)
Sickness.
- di diseases | ↀ Plural
disease noun = di granket (less used)
Sickness. (Less common, but still often used.)
- di grankeda | ↀ Plural

distract verb = distraekta

divide verb = diveiyda

dog noun = da hund

di hund | ↀ Plural

Examples

Di hund sinn fressa.

door noun = di deah

Regular sized doors; for example doors in a home.

di deahra | ↀ Plural

door (large) noun = es doah

A large door; for example a large overhead garage door or large gate to a city wall in Bible times.

di doahra | ↀ Plural

doubt verb

doubt verb = dowda (common used)
doubt verb = zveifla (less used)

doubts noun = di doubts

Plural of doubt. Usually used in the plural.

Examples

Ich kann dei questions ensahra vann du doubts hosht.

download verb = daunlohda

ich | daunloht
miah | daunlohda
si | daunlohda

draw closer verb = naychah kumma

To strengthen or deepen a relationship with someone.

Conjugate kumma to match the pronoun.

Examples

Vi kann ma naychah kumma zu anri?

dress verb

dress verb = ohdu
To put on (a clothing item), or to get dressed.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | ohgedu
Examples

Miah missa en mask ohdu vann ma zu di hospital gayn.

Ich habb mei rokk ohgedu.
dress verb = dressa
To dress in a certain way.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gedrest
Examples

Miah gevva praise zu Gott bei vi shay es miah dressa.

dress up verb = ufdressa

To put on (usually) nicer or more formal clothing.

dressed adj = gedrest

How someone is dressed.

Examples

Diah sind shay gedrest heit.

dried out adj = ausgedrikkeld

drive around verb = rumm foahra

driving noun = foahres

The act of driving. (See example)

Examples

Miah doon latt foahres in di ministry.

dry up verb = ufdrikla

PAST TENSE ↺ | ufgedrikkeld

E

early adj = free

(Use alone or with a noun.)

(See also free for other meanings.)

Examples

Kummet rivvah meiya free.

earned verb = fadeena

PAST TENSE ↺ | fadeend

earned adj = fadeend

Examples

’Sis nix es fadeend is.

earthquake noun = da earthquake

di earthquakes | ↀ Plural

easy adj

easy adj = eesi
easier adj = eesiyah

eat verb

PAST TENSE ↺ | ate

Examples

eat (humans) verb = essa (common used)
(humans)
- ich | ess
- du | esht
- eah/see/se | est
- miah | essa
- diah | esset
- si | essa
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gessa
Examples

Di Becky un di Maria essa iahra middawk.
eat (animals) verb = fressa (common used)
(Animals only) to eat.

(Humans) jokingly. Or to eat quickly; impolitely
- ich | fress
- du | fresht
- eah/see/se | frest
- miah | fressa
- diah | fresset
- si | fressa
- PAST TENSE ↺ | kfressa
Examples

Da hund hott alles kfressa.

Da hund frest alles.

elder noun = da elder

Those in the congregation. (Theocratic term)

di elders | ↀ Plural

encourage verb = enkiritsha

miah | enkiritsha
diah | enkiritshet
si | enkiritsha

PAST TENSE ↺ | enkiritsht

encouraged adj = enkiritsht

Examples

’Sis goot fa ausgukka fa nannah so’s alli-ebbah enkiritsht shpiaht.

ended up verb = ufgend

(Past tense) The result of something. How something turned out.

Examples

Vi hott’s ufgend?

enemy noun = da enemy (common used)

(Not ~~fiend~~ or ~~feinda~~. Both are archaic.)

di enemies | ↀ Plural

enjoy verb = enjoya (common used)

ich | enjoyt
du | enjoysht
miah | enjoya
diah | enjoyet
si | enjoya

PAST TENSE ↺ | enjoyt

Examples

Du ebbes es du enjoysht.

Miah henn enjoyt zeit shpenda mitt si.

etc phrase = un so veidah

And so forth; and so on.

evening (this) = dinohvet

every once in a while phrase = alli-gebott

Examples

Alli-gebott setsht du dei teiyahs inshpekta fa shuah macha es si in goot shape sinn.

everyone pro = alli ebbah

(Verbs that go with alli ebbah are conjugated for he/she/it — not they. See example.)

Examples

Alli ebbah is am goot du.

everything pro = alles

(Verbs that go with alles are conjugated for he/she/it — not they. See example.)

Examples

Mach shuah es du fashtaysht vass si mayna, un es si alles fashtayn es du am deela bisht mitt.

everything keeps changing phrase = alles hald oh tshaynsha

everywhere adv = alli-vo

exactly adv = grawt

Examples

Sell is grawt vass ich brauch!

example noun = da example

(Not ~~foahbild~~ (archaic))

di examples | ↀ Plural

expect verb = ekshpekta

explain verb

explain verb = ekshplayna (common used)
- ich | ekshplayn
- du | ekshplaynsht
- eah/see/se | ekshplaynd
- miah | ekshplayna
- diah | ekshplaynet
- si | ekshplayna
- PAST TENSE ↺ | ekshplaynd
explain verb = auslayya (less used)
(Lit. to lay it out)
- ich | auslayk
- du | auslayksht
- eah/see/se | auslaykt
- miah | auslayya
- diah | auslayyet
- si | auslayya
- PAST TENSE ↺ | ausglaykt

F

face verb = faysa

fair adj = feah

Reasonable and just.

faith noun

faith noun = da glawva
1. Quality of trust in someone or something
2. A person’s beliefs
religion noun = da glawva
The faith or religion a person belongs to.
- di glawva | ↀ Plural

faithful adj

faithful adj = faythfel
(Use alone or with neuter nouns.)

Examples

Eah voah faythfel even vann…
faithful adj = faythfelah
(Use masculine nouns.)

Examples

Eah is en faythfelah mann.
faithful adj = faythfeli
(Use feminine or with plural nouns.)

Examples

faythfeli examples

fall verb = falla

ich | fall
du | falsht
eah/see/es | fald
miah | falla
diah | fallet
si | falla

PAST TENSE ↺ | kfalla (Note: Use with the helper verb sei)

Examples

Da bohm is nunnah kfalla.

family noun = di family (common used)

di families | ↀ Plural

Family Worship phrase = Family-Zeit fa Jehova

(Theocratic term.)

far adj = veit

Examples

Vass henn miah gland so veit?

Even vann’s veit is fa gay, doon miah alsnoch reklah zammah kumma.

far off adj = veit ab

Far away.

Examples

Miah gayn even zu areas es veit ab sinn.

feelings noun = di feelings

Opinions or emotions.

(Not ~~kfeelah~~.)

fetch verb = hohla

To retrieve something or someone from one location and bring back.

Note: Use get (greeya) when talking about simply getting something.

ich | hohl
du | hohlsht
eah/see/es | hohld
miah | hohla
diah | hohlet
si | hohla

PAST TENSE ↺ | kohld

Examples

Ich zayld een hohla.

Voaht moll bissel. Ich hohl een.

fewer adj = vennichah

field service noun = di ministry

(Theocratic term) (Not ~~feld deensht~~.)

figure out verb = aus fikkahra

fill out verb = ausfilla

To fill something out (a form, paperwork).

Conjugate filla to the pronoun.

Examples

Fill da form aus.

find verb = finna

ich | finn
du | finsht
eah/see/es | find
miah | finna
diah | finnet
si | finna

PAST TENSE ↺ | kfunna

Examples

Si henn’s viddah kfunna.

finish verb = faddich macha

(Conjugate macha for the correct pronoun.)

(Note: Both words work together but do not have to be right next to each other in the sentence.)

PAST TENSE ↺ | faddich gmacht

Examples

Macht da lesson faddich.

Du da dawk nei vann da lesson faddich gmacht hosht.

finished adj = faddich

Examples

Alles is faddich.

first

(See also language lesson Eahsht vs S’eahsht vs Seahsht)

first adj = eahsht
(Use with singular nouns.)

(Use when the noun’s article (di or da) has been included; see example.)

Examples

Gukket da eahsht paragraph.
first adj = eahshtah
(Use with masculine nouns.)
- (Use when the noun’s article (da) is not used; see example.)
Examples

Vass is dei eahshtah nohma?
first adj = eahshti
(Use with feminine and plural nouns.)
- (Feminine nouns: use when the noun’s article (di) is not used.)
- (Plural nouns: use even when the noun’s article (di) is used; see example.)
Examples

Kansht du di eahshti zvay verses laysa?
first adj = ‘s eahsht
(Use with singular neuter nouns.)
- Note: The es (from a neuter noun) is often shortened to ’s and gets pronounced together with eahsht. You will be most likely to hear it at the start of a sentence.
Examples

’S eahsht moll es ich do voah, habb ich dich kolfa’s haus butza.
first adv = seahsht
Explains when a verb/action should be done. (Use with verbs.)

Examples

Miah missa seahsht lanna vi.

first (one) noun = da eahshtah

To make clear which one(s) of many.

di eahshti | ↀ Plural

Examples

Vellah? Da eahshtah.

Si sinn di eahshti fa zrikk dihaym kumma.

fisherman noun = da fishah

di fishah | ↀ Plural

Examples

Ich habb zvay fishah ksenna geshtah.

fix verb = fixa

PAST TENSE ↺ | kfixt

fixed adj = kfixt

Examples

Alles zayld kfixt sei.

flakes noun = da flokka

Snowflakes.

di flekka | ↀ Plural

Examples

’Sis am shnayya un di flekka sinn grohs.

flat adj = flaett

Examples

Si sinn uf’s flaett dach funn iahra haus.

Illinois is gans flaett, avvah Pennsylvania is hivlich.

Flood noun = di Sindfloot

The Flood mentioned in the Bible. (Biblical term.)

fogged up adj = geduft

Covered in steam.

Examples

Di fenshtahra sinn geduft.

foggy adj

foggy adj = nevlich
Weather condition.

Examples

’Sis gans nevlich dimeiya.

’Sis am reiyra draus un nevlich dinoh’t.
foggy adj = dufftich
Fogged up or steamed up; for example glasses, mirror, window, etc.

Can also be used jokingly. (See example 2)

Examples

Da shpikkel is dufftich.

Mei brain is dufftich dimeiya.

follow verb = fallohwa

To follow a person or something.

Examples

Bisht du willing fa direction fallohwa?

Vass is ay vayk es miah da Jesus sei example fallohwa?

follow (an example) verb = nohch kumma (less used)

To follow after someone (or their example) and do what they did.

Examples

Sei footsteps nohch kumma.

Miah sedda een nohch kumma un lawfa uf di pawt.

footsteps noun

footsteps noun = di footsteps (common used)
footsteps noun = di foos-dabba (less used)

for prep

for prep = fa
Use before the subject has been mentioned.

For other uses of the word fa, see the dictionary and the words to and kind of.

Examples

Dess is fa dich.

Denki fa alles’s du dusht.
for prep = difoah
Use after the subject has been mentioned. Usually at the end of a thought or sentence.

See also previously.

Examples

Veah is da boi gmacht difoah?

Dess is vass ich gvoaht habb difoah.

force verb = forsa

PAST TENSE ↺ | kforst

Examples

Miah kenna nett leit forsa fa ebbes du es miah vella.

forced adj = kforst (common used)

To be or become forced to do something against a person’s will.

Examples

Eah zayld kforst vadda fa hatt shaffa.

forenoon noun = da fammidawk

Early part of the day ending with noon. Between morning and noon; mid-morning.

forenoon (this) noun = fammidawk

This forenoon; the current forenoon.

Examples

forgetful adj = fagesslich

found adj = kfunna

Examples

’Sis information es kfunna is in di library.

free adj

Examples

Sell’s da eesiyahst vayk fa hohld greeya funn uns.

get rid of phrase = ritt vadda

To get rid (of something).

glad adj = froh

go on verb = on gay

To continue or keep going (working on something), or to continue (physically or emotionally)

(Conjugate the verb gay to match the pronoun.)

Can be shortened to simply on. (See example 3)

PAST TENSE ↺ | on ganga (Note: Use with the helper verb sei)

Examples

Ich habb kfikkaht on gay zu en university.

Es kann hatt sei even vissa vi fa on gay.

Bisht du reddi fa on?

Anri gayn on fabei.

Un vi si on ganga sinn, sinn si anna kumma vo vassah voah.

good adj

really good adj = adlich goot
really good adj = reeli goot
pretty good adj = zimmlich goot
good adj = fit
Describing something that is tasty; delicious.

Examples

Dess grumbeahra mush is fit!

good news noun

good news noun = di good news (common used)
Good news in general, or good news from the Bible.

Examples

Miah henn good news keaht.

Da Jesus hott di good news gebreddicht.
good news noun = di goodi sacha (less used)
(Older term; as in good news from the Bible.)

Governing Body noun = di Drubb es Foahgayt

(Theocratic term)

Verbs that go with di Drubb es Foahgayt are conjugated for he/she/it — not they.

government noun = da government (common used)

As in a general or a modern-day government.

Compare with kingdom.

di governments | ↀ Plural

Great Crowd noun = di Grohs Drubb

(Theocratic term)

Verbs that go with di Grohs Drubb are conjugated for he/she/it — not they.

Great Tribulation noun = di grohs dreebsawl

(Theocratic term; from the Bible)

greedy adj = greedi

grieve verb = greeva

group noun

group noun = di group (common used)
- di groups | ↀ Plural
group noun = di drubb (common used)
Verbs that go with di drubb are conjugated for he/she/it — not they.
- di drubba | ↀ Plural

grow up verb = ufvaxa (common used)

To mature physically and/or mentally.

PAST TENSE ↺ | ufgvaxa (Note: Use with the helper verb sei)

Examples

Eah is reeli ufvaxa!

Dess is vo ich ufgvaxa binn.

grown up adj = ufgvaxa

Examples

Zayla dei boova goot bleiva vann si ufgvaxa sinn?

guard verb = garda

To protect something or someone.

ich | gard
miah | garda
diah | gardet
si | garda

guide verb = geida

eah/see/es | geit
miah | geida
si | geida

PAST TENSE ↺ | gegeid

guided adj = gegeid

H

halfway adj = halbvayks

Examples

Da wire voah halbvayks haus.

handle verb = haendla

To take care of something. To deal with something emotionally.

(See also deela.)

happen verb = haebna

eah/see/es | haebbend
miah | haebna
si | haebna

PAST TENSE ↺ | kaebbend

happier adj = haebbiyah

happiest adj = haebbisht

happy adj = haebbi

hard adj = hatt

(See also really (for emphasis) for another use of hatt.)

harder adj = haddah

Examples

Es voah haddah fa see noch’s eah kshtauva is.

hardest adj = hatsht

Examples

Sell voah’s hatsht ding.

harness noun = es ksha

di ksharra | ↀ Plural

harvest verb = harvesta

hassle noun = vattshaft

Examples

’Sis en vattshaft!

hate verb = hassa

ich | hass
du | hasht
eah/see/es | hast
miah | hassa
diah | hasset
si | hassa

PAST TENSE ↺ | kast

hated adj = kast

Examples

’Sis nett eesi vann du kast bisht.

have I verb = havvich (common used)

Combination of the 2 words ‘habb ich’.

(Use only after time words when the verb order would put habb before ich. Otherwise, just use ich habb (see last example).)

Note: It’s perfectly fine to just use habb ich instead of havvich. But havvich flows a little better when spoken.

Examples

Shpaydah, havvich en appointment.

Vann ich 18 voah, havvich en latt zeit kshpend shaffa.

Vass havvich gedu heit fa veisa es ich respekt habb fa anri?

Ich habb mei shoo faliahra.

have the opinion verb = mayna (common used)

To have the opinion or viewpoint. To have a strong opinion or feeling about something. Stronger than saying think (glawva).

Not used the same as mean (verb).

ich | mayn
du | maynsht
eah/see/es | maynd
miah | mayna
diah | maynet
si | mayna

PAST TENSE ↺ | gmaynd

Examples

’S mensht leit mayna es’s voah is.

Vann du maynsht es’s zu feel is fa deela mitt…

Ich habb gmaynd alli-ebbah voah feah am getreet vadda, avvah ich habb glei auskfunna sell is nett voah.

headache noun = kobb vay (common used)

health noun = health (common used)

Examples

Mei health is shlimmah un shlimmah vadda.

health adj = health (common used)

Examples

Hosht du ennich health problems?

healthy adj = ksund (common used)

(Can be used alone. Not to be confused with health (adj))

Examples

Unsah kinnah sinn ksund.

help noun = di hilf

help verb = helfa

PAST TENSE ↺ | kolfa

hitch (up) verb = eishpanna (common used)

To connect an animal to a buggy or implement.

PAST TENSE ↺ | eikshpand

Examples

Ich muss gay di geil eishpanna.

Ich habb da gaul eikshpand.

hitched adj = eikshpand

Examples

Da gaul is shund eikshpand.

hold back verb = zrikk hayva

To keep from doing or saying something. Or to be reluctant to do or say something.

(Conjugate hayva based on the noun/pronoun)

PAST TENSE ↺ | zrikk kohva

home noun = di haymet (common used)

A person’s place of residence. More personal than house.

di haymeda | ↀ Plural

honor noun = da honor

house noun = es haus

Less personal than home(haymet).

di heisah | ↀ Plural

humble adj

humble adj = humble (common used)
humble old = daymeedich (archaic used)
(Used mostly just in the Bible)

humility noun = humility (common used)

(Note: daymoot is only used in the Bible)

hurry phrase = dabbah

(Lit. quickly. Often used as a command.)

(See also quickly (adv))

Examples

Dabbah! Dabbah dich!

hurt noun = da shmatz

The pain you feel. The plural form is more commonly used.

di shmatza | ↀ Plural

Examples

Di dohda vissa nix so si kenna kenn shmatza shpiahra.

hurt verb

hurt verb = shmatza
To hurt; as in to feel pain.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | kshmatzt
hurt verb = vay du
To injure, mistreat, harm, or cause pain to someone else.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | vay gedu

I

I think phrase = ich glawb (common used)

Used when wanting to make clear you’re not 100% sure about something. Used in the same way you would use I think or I believe in English.

Often shortened to glavvich at the end of a sentence.

Do not use ich denk in this situation.

Examples

Glawb’s voah geshtah.

Eah kumd freidawk, glavvich.

idea noun = da idea

(Not ~~eidi~~)

di ideas | ↀ Plural

if conjunction = vann

As in, if this, then that; not to be confused with whether.) (See also Eb vs Vann language lesson)

illustration noun = da illustration

An example or story used to teach. (See also parable)

di illustrations | ↀ Plural

imitate verb = immaytayda

eah/see/es | immatayt
miah | immatayda
diah | immataydet
si | immatayda

PAST TENSE ↺ | immatayt

immediately adv

immediately adv = bletzlich (common used)
Examples

Ich zayl bletzlich kumma!
immediately adv = grawt (common used)
Right away.

(See also the words exactly and straight)

Examples

Gebt nett uf vann du nett grawt results saynsht.

imperfect adj

imperfect adj = impirfikt
(Use alone or with neuter nouns.)
imperfect adj = impirfiktah
(Use with masculine nouns.)
imperfect adj = impirfikti
(Use with feminine and plural nouns.)

important adj

important adj = importand
(Use alone or with neuter nouns.)
important adj = importandah
(Use masculine nouns.)
important adj = importandi
(Use feminine and with plural nouns.)

in a = inna (common used)

Combination of the words in and en.

(Not ~~innen~~)

in a little while phrase = glemmel (common used)

Shortly or in a short period of time. (Lit. a combination of the Deitsh words glei and moll.)

Pronounced: glem’moll

Examples

Sinn miah noch zu di shtoah gay? Glemmel.

include verb = inclooda

ich | incloot
miah | inclooda
si | inclooda

PAST TENSE ↺ | include

included adj = include

Examples

Vass alles is include in da job?

including prep = including

As well es; in addition to; such as.

Examples

…including shlimm veddah, earthquakes, un sacha vi sell.

inspect verb = inshpekta

instead of adv = in blatz funn (common used)

In the place of something else already mentioned. An alternative.

Not to be confused with in blatz (in place).

Examples

In blatz funn Freidawk, vella Samshdawk boviahra.

interested adj = innarest

interesting adj

interesting adj = innaresting
(Use alone or with neuter nouns.)
interesting adj = innarestingah
(Use masculine nouns.)
interesting adj = innarestingi
(Use feminine or with plural nouns.)

interfere verb = interfera

internet noun = da internet (common used)

interrupt verb = innarobda

into prep = nei (common used)

(Group with a verb.)

Note: Nei is a direction word, so when used with travel or direction, the first letter may be changed to show the direction compared to the speaker or subject.

Examples

Vass kann uns helfa fa nett nei gevva zu temptations?

Log nei.

invite verb = haysa

ich | hays
du | haysht
eah/see/es | hayst
miah | haysa
diah | hayset
si | haysa

PAST TENSE ↺ | kaysa

invited adj = kaysa

Examples

Du bisht kaysa.

involved adj = involved

isn’t it phrase = gell

isn’t it? phrase = gell? (common used)
A confirmation of something; usually at the end of a sentence.

Examples

Dei daett shaft mitt construction, gell?

Miah henn samm reeli shayni dawwa katt, gell?
isn’t it? phrase = right? (common used)
A confirmation of something; usually at the end of a sentence.

Examples

Dei daett shaft mitt construction, right?

Miah henn samm reeli shayni dawwa katt, right?

J

joy noun = da joy (common used)

joyful adj = joyful

judge verb = judga (common used)

(No longer ~~tshotsha~~.)

PAST TENSE ↺ | gejudged

judged adj = gejudged (common used)

juice noun = di bree

Examples

Ich gleich abbel bree.

just adv

just adv = yusht (common used)
Exactly; precisely (see example 1).

Suddenly (usually used with vi sell) (see example 2)

Examples

Yusht vi en goodah daett es’s besht vill fa sei kinnah…

Un yusht vi sell, hott’s kshteaht reyyahra.
just (like) adv = so vi (common used)
Just like; for example.

Examples

Miah macha goot yoos funn modern technology so vi da internet.

K

keep in mind verb = in meind halda (common used)

To continue remembering; to keep something in mind.

PAST TENSE ↺ | in meind kalda

keep up with verb = ufhalda mitt (common used)

To continue knowing the newest/latest about something or someone.

To keep pace with changes, work, or tasks that need to be done.

Note: ufhalda can be split up depending on the sentence (see example 2)

Examples

’Sis hatt fa ufhalda mitt alles es am gay is in di news.

Sellah vayk halda ma uf mitt’s maintenance es gedu sei muss fa alles in goot shape halda.

kill verb = doht macha

PAST TENSE ↺ | doht gmacht

Examples

Eah is da lion nohch ganga un hott een doht gmacht.

killed adj = doht gmacht

Examples

Iahra eldra sinn doht gmacht vadda.

kind (of) noun = fa (common used)

Kind (of); type (of), sort (of)

(For other uses for the word fa, see the dictionary and the words for and to for additional meanings.)

Examples

Vass fa challenges hott di Barb katt?

kingdom noun

Compare with government.

kingdom noun = es reich (common used)
A general kingdom, government, or rulership.
- di reicha | ↀ Plural
kingdom noun = es kaynich-reich (common used)
A general kingdom, government, or rulership.
- di kaynich-reicha | ↀ Plural
(God’s) Kingdom noun = Gott Sei Reich (common used)
Specifically God’s Kingdom, government, or rulership in heaven.

Kingdom Hall noun = da Fasamling Blatz (common used)

The meeting place of Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Theocratic term)

di Fasamling Bletz | ↀ Plural

kiss verb = buss

To kiss someone.

(Pronunciation note: Sounds like EN word bus)

PAST TENSE ↺ | gebustd

know verb

know verb = vissa
To know information or a fact.
- ich | vays
- du | vaysht
- eah/see/se | vayst
- miah | vissa
- diah | visset
- si | vissa
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gvist
know verb = kenna
To know or recognize a person; to know something well (for example a language).
- ich | kenn
- du | kensht
- eah/see/se | kend
- miah | kenna
- diah | kennet
- si | kenna
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gekend
Examples

Ich kenn da Eli goot.

Kensht du Deitsh?

L

language noun = di language (common used)

di languages | ↀ Plural

last verb = laesta (common used)

To continue.

eah/see/es | laest
miah | laesta
si | laesta

PAST TENSE ↺ | glaest

Examples

Da boi laest nett lang rumm di boova.

last night noun = geshtrohvet

law noun

law noun = es gebott (common used)
- di gebodda | ↀ Plural
law noun = es ksetz (archaic used)
No longer used except for when speaking about a set of laws like The Mosaic Law (es Ksetz Mosi).

leave verb = lossa

leave verb = falossa (common used)
To leave someone or a location; to go away from.
- ich | faloss
- du | falosht
- eah/see/se | falost
- miah | falossa
- diah | falosset
- si | falossa
- PAST TENSE ↺ | falossa (Note: Use with the helper verb havva)
Examples

Favass henn di yingah da Jesus falossa?

Ich zayl dich nee nett falossa.
leave verb = lossa (common used)
To leave an item/something behind.
- ich | loss
- du | losht
- eah/see/se | lost
- miah | lossa
- diah | losset
- si | lossa
- PAST TENSE ↺ | glost (Note: Use with the helper verb havva)
Examples

Ich loss een en message.

Ich habb een en message glost.

leave off verb = ablossa

To not include something; leave it off.

PAST TENSE ↺ | abglost

Examples

Du kansht’s ablossa.

Loss’s ab.

leave open verb = uf lossa

To leave something open or unclosed.

PAST TENSE ↺ | uf glost

Examples

Loss di doah uf.

Ich habb di doah uf glost!

leave up (to) verb = uf lossa

To leave a choice or decision up to someone; to give the responsibility to make a decision.

PAST TENSE ↺ | uf glost

Examples

Ich zayld’s uf lossa zu dich.

Miah henn’s uf glost zu di mayt vass si du vella.

less adj = vennichah

lesson noun = da lesson

di lessons | ↀ Plural

Examples

In deah lesson, zayla miah lanna veyyich…

let verb = lossa

To allow.

Examples

Loss mich helfa!

let someone know verb = vissa lossa (common used)

To tell someone or let them know something.
To tell them all about it (negative tone: as in telling them all about it. See example 3)

(Conjugate lossa as needed)

PAST TENSE ↺ | glost

Examples

Ich zayld si vissa lossa.

Ich loss si vissa.

Ich voah nett haebbi diveyya un habb si vissa glost!

library noun = di library

di libraries | ↀ Plural

life noun = es layva

The life a person or animal has.

Examples

Unsah layva is simple.

Miah henn nett en pirfikt layva, avvah miah sinn haebbi.

like

like verb = gleicha
1. To enjoy something
2. To love someone (Use gleicha instead of leeva when talking about someone that a person loves.)
- ich | gleich
- du | gleichsht
- eah/see/se | gleicht
- miah | gleicha
- diah | gleichet
- si | gleicha
- PAST TENSE ↺ | geglicha
Examples

Di kinnah gleicha shpeela.

Jehova reeli gleicht dich.

Miah henn’s geglicha zeit shpenda mitt eich.
like prep = vi
Similar; comparing 2 or more things with each other.

Examples

Si sinn yusht vi uns.

Miah sinn vi family.

likely adj = aebt

lion noun = da lion (common used)

(Not ~~layb~~)

di lions | ↀ Plural

Examples

’Sis en grohsah lion.

listen (to) verb = abheicha

To listen; pay attention.

PAST TENSE ↺ | abkeicht

Examples

Eah abheicht zu dich.

Da Marlin hott abkeicht zu da warning.

Heichet goot ab zu da Broodah veil’s eah da neksht talk gebt.

live verb

live verb = layva (common used)
To live; as in to exist.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | glaybt
Examples

Da vayk es miah layva…

Oh kaynich, layb fa’immah!

Vi kansht du leevi veisa fa anri bei da vayk es du laybsht?
live verb = voona
To dwell or reside somewhere.
- ich | voon
- du | voonsht
- eah/see/se | voond
- miah | voona
- diah | voonet
- si | voona
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gvoond
Examples

Vo voonet diah?

Miah voona do.

Vi lang hend diah datt gvoond?

Vo voonsht du?

Ich voon in Daviess county.

loaf noun = da layb

For example, bread.

Notes:

Since it’s commonly used with the word bread (broht), you do not need to include funn (of).
When talking about more than one loaf, you do not need to make layb plural. (see example 2)

Examples

Ich habb en layb broht gebakka.

Miah henn fimf layb broht.

log in verb = log nei

(Technology phrase)

Examples

Miah missa nei logga zu di server.

Fill da form aus un log nei.

lose verb = faliahra

To lose possession of something or misplace it.

ich | faliah
du | faliahsht
eah/see/es | faliaht
miah | faliahra
diah | faliahret
si | faliahra

PAST TENSE ↺ | faloahra

lost adj = faloahra

Examples

Miah sinn faloahra.

lot adv = en latt (common used)

A lot; many.

Note: When using en latt, it does not need funn (of) after it.

Examples

Vass hott da Shawn kolfa fa ohhalda en latt respect havva fa anri?

En latt leit vund’ra diveyya.

loud adj = laut

Examples

Sellah hund is laut!

love

love noun = di leevi (common used)
The quality.

Note: Use like (verb) instead of love when talking about people.
love noun = di love (common used)
The quality.

loving adj

loving adj = loving
(Use alone or with neuter nouns.)
loving adj = lovingi
(Use with feminine or plural nouns.)
loving adj = lovingah
(Use with masculine nouns.)

loyal adj = loyal

Consider using faithful (faythfel) instead.

Word shtandhaftich is only used in the Bible.

M

made up verb

To make something up; create a story or something that’s not real or true.

PAST TENSE ↺ | ufgmacht

made up adj = ufgmacht

To be something that is untrue; made up.

Examples

Dayl leit in di veld mayna es di Bivvel is foll funn ufgmachti shtohris.

mail noun = di mail

Examples

Ich shikk eich en breef in di mail.

main adj

main adj = mayn
Use alone or with neuter nouns.
main adj = mayni
Use with feminine or plural nouns.
main adj = maynah
Use with masculine nouns.

make ends meet phrase = endah meeda macha

Financially.

Examples

Ich habb yusht genunk geld fa endah meeda macha.

map noun = di maeb (common used)

marriage noun = es keiyaht layva

married people noun = di keiyahri leit

(See also di couple.)

matters

it matters phrase = es macht ebbes aus (common used)
It matters, or is important (to someone); it makes a difference.

Examples

’S macht ebbes aus vass miah doon mitt unsah layva.
it doesn’t matter phrase = es macht nix aus (common used)
It doesn’t matter to or affect (someone); it’s not important one way or the other to someone.

Examples

’S macht nix ebbes aus zu mich.
it doesn’t make a difference phrase = es batt nix (common used)
Meaning: It doesn’t change the outcome of something. It doesn’t make a difference in how something turns out.

Examples

Ich habb boviaht, avvah es baut nix.

mattress noun = di mattress

mean verb = mayna

To intend something; show or indicate.
Similar to stands for.
Used when talking about the meaning or definition of something.

PAST TENSE ↺ | gmaynd

Examples

Sell’s vass ich mayn.

Vass maynd’s fa ‘serious sei’?

meaning noun = di mayning

Purpose of life or something worthwhile
What something or someone means or is talking about

Examples

Sell gebt mei layva en rechti mayning.

Denk moll veyyich samm importandi points es uns helft di mayning fashtay.

meditate verb = meddatayda

To think deeply about something. To focus your mind on something; reflect.

Tip: Consider using think deeply (deef denka) instead.

meeting noun = di fasamling (common used)

(Often a theocratic term; a meeting or gathering of Jehovah’s Witnesses)

di fasamlinga | ↀ Plural

Meeting Parts phrase

Names for parts of the meetings.

Our Life and Ministry phrase = Unsah Ministry un Vi Miah Layva
Name of the midweek meeting.
Treasures From the Bible phrase = Treasures Funn di Bivvel
The Treasures Talk phrase = Da Treasures Talk
Spiritual Gems phrase = Spiritual Gems
(No longer ~~Keshtlichi Sacha~~)
Apply Yourself to the Ministry phrase = Fa Bessah Vadda in di Ministry
Starting a Conversation phrase = En Conversation Shteahra
Following Up phrase = Viddah Zrikk Gay
Making Disciples phrase = Yingah Macha
Explaining Your Beliefs phrase = Dei Glawva Ekshplayna
Living as Christians phrase = Fa Layva vi Christians

mention verb = menshind

mentioned adj = gmenshind

mess up verb = fadutza

To cause something to be out of ordered; scrambled.

PAST TENSE ↺ | fadutzt

Examples

Vann ich kfalla binn, habb ich di papers fadutzt.

message noun = da message

di messages | ↀ Plural

messed up adj = fadutzt

Something that is messed up; scrambled.

midday (this) noun = dimiddawk

This mid-day; noon time.

Midweek Meeting noun = di deichdivoch fasamling

(Theocratic term)

might verb = mechta

ich | mecht
du | mechsht
eah/see/es | mecht
miah | mechta
diah | mechtet
si | mechta

ministry noun = di ministry (common used)

Field service (Theocratic term).

Examples

Ich finn si nett. Di parts sinn missing.

mocking noun = es shpoddes

Ridicule; what a person experiences.

Examples

Vann di kinnah an di shool voahra, missa si deela mitt shpoddes.

mop verb = mabba (common used)

morning noun

morning noun = da meiyet (common used)
Morning in general.
- di meiyets | ↀ Plural
this morning noun = dimeiyet (common used)
This morning today.
early morning noun = meiya free
- free meiyets | ↀ Plural

move verb

move verb = moofa
1. To change the place or position of something.
2. To change posture or position.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gmooft
Examples

Noch di accident, ’sis hatt fa goot rumm moofa.
move verb = zeeya (common used)
To move residence or from one area to another.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gezohwa (Note: Use with the helper verb sei)
Examples

Vann sinn si nei zeeya?

Fa veit vekk zeeya funn haym maynd fleicht zufridda sei mitt vennichah es ma gegvaynd voah.

Miah sinn do gezohwa ’s letsht yoah.

N

nearly adv = baut (common used)

(See also about)

necessary adj = nohtvendich

need verb

need verb = braucha (common used)
To need an item.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gebraucht
Examples

Miah awl braucha encouragement grawt nau.

Ich brauch en pencil.
need verb = missa (common used)
To need to do something. As in, must.

(See also sedda.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | missa
Examples

Miah missa sobbah essa.

negatives

no = nay (common used)
Opposite of yes. Only used to answer questions.
no / none = kenn
Not any; used with a noun.

Examples

kenn maemm

’Sis kenn anrah Gott in da himmel.

Gott sei leevi hott kenn end.
no / none = kenn
Not any; same meaning as kenn, but used directly in front of funn.

Examples

Kens funn si vissa grawt vass kaebend hott.
not = nett
Opposite of something being yes or true.

(Not ~~naett~~.)

Examples

Ich binn nett en expert.
never = nee nett
Same meaning as selayva nett. Can use either.
never = selayva nett
Same meaning as nee nett. Can use either.

neighbor noun = da nochbah (common used)

di nochbahra | ↀ Plural

new adj

new adj = neiy
(Use alone or with neuter nouns.)
new adj = neiyah
(Use with masculine nouns.)
new adj = neiyi
(Use with feminine or plural nouns.)

New Testament noun = es Neiy Testament

The second half of the Bible (Greek Scriptures).

New World Translation noun = di Neiy Veld Translation

Or The New World Translation (Theocratic term)

newer adj = neiyah

Examples

Is dess neiyah es di anri?

newest adj = neiysht

night (last) noun = gestrohvet (common used)

Last night.

Note: Can be shortened when spoken to gestroh’t.

no longer adv = nimmi (common used)

Compare with anymore.

Examples

Mei foos is fabrocha un ich kann nimmi shpringa.

…even vann du shpiahsht es’s nimmi diveaht is.

no one pro

no one pro = nimmand (common used)
Note: Verbs that go with nimmand are conjugated for he/she/it — not they.

Examples

Nimmand vatt betzawld, avvah alli-ebbah grikt ess-sach un en blatz fa voona.
no one pro = kenni (common used)
As in not a single person/thing.

(Often used alone in reply and for emphasis.)

noisy adj = yachtich

Examples

Di boova sinn yachtich alli-moll es si Mt Dew greeya.

not yet phrase

Both are mostly interchangeable. See notes for each.

not yet phrase = noch nett (common used)
Either can be used alone or as part of a sentence.

Note 1: When used as part of a sentence, it’s usually noch nett. (See example)

Note 2: When used by itself:
- Noch nett tends to be used for something that the person speaking isn’t looking forward to, or when the speaker doesn’t really expect it will happen.
Examples

Ich voah yusht noch nett reddi fa tshaynshes macha in mei layva.
not yet phrase = nett noch (common used)
Either can be used alone or as part of a sentence.

Note: When used by itself:
- Nett noch tends to be positive/hopeful.
Examples

Bisht du keiyaht? Nett noch!

notice verb = nohdesa

ich | nohdes
miah | nohdesa
si | nohdesa

now days

now days = nau dawks
now days = heidich’s dawk

nowhere adv = neiyetz

number noun = da nambah

di nambahs | ↀ Plural

O

obey verb = heicha (common used)

PAST TENSE ↺ | keicht

Examples

Miah missa da Hah heicha.

Si hott iahra maemm keicht.

of them = funna (common used)

(A shorter way of saying instead of funn si.)

Examples

Samm funna henn parts missing.

Vels funna gleichsht’s besht?

offer verb = offera

often adv = oft

Frequently.

(Compare with oftentimes (als).)

Examples

Deah vayk is oft da vayk es miah gayn.

often (more) adv = eftah

More often; more frequently.

Examples

Sell haebbend eftah es difoah.

oftentimes adv = als

Many times; frequently. (Similar to oft)

(Usually connected with a verb.)

(See also once)

Examples

’S vatt is als getrenslayt “veld”.

old adj

old adj = ald
(Use alone or with neuter nouns.)

Examples

’S macht nix aus vi ald es du bisht.
old adj = aldah
(Use with masculine nouns.)
old adj = aldi
(Use with feminine and plural nouns.)

old (person) noun = di eldri

Examples

Vi kenna eldri un yingahri nannah helfa?

older adj

Older in comparison to something else.

older adj = eldah
(Use alone or with neuter nouns.)
older adj = eldahra
(Use with masculine nouns.)
older adj = eldri
(Use with feminine and plural nouns.)

oldest adj = eldsht

once adv = als

At one time in the past; oftentimes.

Examples

Leit henn vennichah leevi es si als katt henn.

one

one (number) = ayn
Examples

Miah henn drei geil: zvay sinn brau, un ayn is shvatz.
one (item) = ay
A single item

Examples

Ay mann un ay fraw.
one (of several) = ayns
One of several; always used with funn.

Examples

Sell’s ayns funn di reesins.
one noun = da vann
(When referring to another person.)

Note: When used as a pronoun, vann will use da or di right in front of it – depending on whether the noun being replaced is masculine or feminine.
- di vans | ↀ Plural
Examples

Da Andy is da vann es ’s haus gebaut hott.

Di Barb is di vann es ’s broht gmacht hott.

oneself pro = em (common used)

More personal version of yourself or us.

open verb = uf macha

Opposite of to close.

PAST TENSE ↺ | uf gmacht

Examples

Mach dei maul uf.

Ich zayl di deah uf macha.

openly adv = fanna rumm

Opposite of secretly.

opportunity noun

opportunity noun = di opportunity (common used)
- di opportunities | ↀ Plural
opportunity noun = di gleyyaheit (less used)

ouchy noun = atzi

A boo-boo; used for pain with very small children.

our adj

our adj = unsah
When talking to a group.
our adj = em sei
Same meaning as unsah, but more personal; when having a conversation with someone.

Examples

Miah missa acht gevva uf em sei health.

out-loud adv = laut

Loud enough to be heard; using your voice; aloud. Opposite of silently.

Examples

Kansht du di shrift laut laysa?

own pro = ayknes

Examples

Uf unsah ayknes kenna miah nett acht gevva uf alles.

own verb = aykna

To possess something; to have something that’s property.

du | aykensht
eah/see/es | aykend
miah | aykna
diah | ayknet
si | aykna

PAST TENSE ↺ | gaykend

Examples

Layva is may importand es sacha es ma aykend.

own adj

own adj = aykni
Use with feminine or plural nouns.
own adj = ayknah
Use with masculine nouns.

P

page noun = es paytsh

di paytshes | ↀ Plural

paid adj = betzawld

Examples

Ich vatt nett betzawld koss ich volunteer.

pantry noun = di botri

Place for storing food and common household supplies.

parable noun = es gleichnis

As in a story used to teach.

paragraph noun = da paragraph (common used)

di paragraphs | ↀ Plural

parent noun = maemm / daett (common used)

You can use en parent when talking about just one parent. But the words maemm and daett are more natural. (See also note)

Note: It’s more natural to use the words maemm and daett instead of parent or eldra in conversations. And it’s more natural to do it in that order: “mom and dad”.

di eldra | ↀ Plural

Examples

Is dei maemm adda daett dihaym?

part noun = es part (common used)

A section, talk or demonstration during a meeting. (see example 1)
A dividable item that when combined makes up a whole. (see example 2)
A person’s share, duty, or job in something. (see example 3)

di parts | ↀ Plural

Examples

’S eahsht part helft uns fa’s information bessah fashtay.

Miah finna nett awl di parts.

Awl di kinnah henn en part fa’s haus butza.

participate verb = participayda

To take part in something.

particular adj = patiklah

Specifically something; one item or thing out of many.

Examples

’Sis ebbes es helfa kann vann ma am deela is mitt ebbes in patiklah.

past (direction) prep = fabei (common used)

As in direction. Going near and then on by something or someone.

Examples

Gay fabei. Si sinn nett dihaym.

’S nett en dawk’s fabei gayt…

Anri gayn on fabei.

patience noun

patience noun = patience (common used)
The quality. Common in conversation.
patience noun = geduld (less used)
The quality. (Less common outside of the Bible.)

patient adj

patient adj = patient (common used)
patient adj = geduldich (common used)
Even though geduld (noun; the quality) is less commonly used in conversation, geduldich (adj) is still commonly used in conversation.

patiently adv = patiently (common used)

How someone does something.

Examples

Ich binn am patiently voahra biss ich viddah healthy binn.

peace noun

peace noun = peace (common used)
peace noun = fridda (less used)

peaceful adj = peaceful

Note: Peaceful does not change for the noun it goes with.

perfect adj

perfect adj = pirfikt
(Use alone or with neuter nouns)
perfect adj = pirfiktah
(Use masculine nouns)
perfect adj = pirfikti
(Use feminine or plural nouns)

perfection noun = pirfekshin

The quality.

Examples

Ekshpekt nett pirfekshin.

person noun = da person (common used)

di leit | ↀ Plural

pet verb = shteicha

To pet (an animal). (Lit. to stroke)

ich | shtreich
miah | shteicha
si | shteicha

Examples

Shtreich nett da hund!

phone noun = da phone (common used)

di phones | ↀ Plural

phrase noun = da frays

A word or group of words.

di frayses | ↀ Plural

pick verb = pikka

To choose; select

ich | pikk
du | piksht
miah | pikka
diah | pikket
si | pikka

PAST TENSE ↺ | gepikt

pick out verb = raus laysa

Choose from; select from.

(Conjugate laysa to match the pronoun.)

PAST TENSE ↺ | raus glaysa

Examples

Ich habb di fauli aebbeahra raus glaysa.

Lays es raus.

pile up verb = uf peila

To form a bunch or stack of something; to accumulate.

PAST TENSE ↺ | uf gepeild

Examples

Miah henn di ksharra uf gepeild.

Alles is uf peila.

piled up adj = uf gepeild

Something that is or became piled up, stacked up, or accumulated.

Examples

Di ksharra sinn uf gepeild un reddi fa vesha.

pioneer noun = peiyneer (common used)

(Theocratic term)

di peiyneers | ↀ Plural

pioneer verb = peiyneera (common used)

(Theocratic term)

pity verb = davvahra (common used)

To show pity, compassion, mercy, and to want to help.

Note: The strongest word for the feeling toward someone who is suffering.

(Always used along with a noun that’s the receiving the pity.)

ich | davvah
du | davvahsht
eah/see/es | davvaht
miah | davvahra
diah | davvahret
si | davvahra

PAST TENSE ↺ | gedavvaht

Examples

Please, davvah uns un helf uns!

Ich habb’s hawsli gedavvaht.

Eah hott si oahrich gedavvaht.

plain adj = playn

As in clearly.

plan noun = da plan

di plans | ↀ Plural

plan verb = plenna

please verb = pleesa

As in to make someone happy.

ich | plees
eah/see/es | pleest
miah | pleesa
si | pleesa

pleased (with) adj = goot zufridda (common used)

To be pleased with something or someone.

pleasing adj = pleesing

plug verb = pluga (common used)

To connect something.

ich | plug
miah | pluga
si | pluga

Examples

Plug’s nei.

point noun = da point

di points | ↀ Plural

Examples

Vass is da mayn point?

position noun = da position

di positions | ↀ Plural

post noun = da pohsta

As in a fence post.

di pohshta | ↀ Plural

post verb = posta

To mail something like a letter
To publish something on the internet or social media

power noun = da power

powerful adj = powerful

practice verb = praektisa

preach verb = breddicha (common used)

ich | breddich
du | breddichsht
eah/see/es | breddicht
miah | breddicha
diah | breddichet
si | breddicha

PAST TENSE ↺ | gebreddicht

preaching (work) noun = di ministry (common used)

The preaching work; field service (Theocratic term)

Examples

Unsah ministry is goot organized.

prepare verb

prepare verb = reddi greeya (common used)
To get ready for something.

(Conjugate greeya based on who is preparing.)
- PAST TENSE ↺ | reddi grikt
prepare verb = rishta (common used)
To get (for example) a table set, or a place ready for use. Commonly used to get the table ready for a meal.

Examples

’Sis zeit fa da dish rishta.

Risht da dish!

Ich gay un risht en blatz fa eich.

prepared adj = reddi (common used)

The condition of being or becoming prepared or ready.

Examples

Vass kann em helfa fa goot reddi sei fa di fasamlinga?

pretty much adv = adlich (common used)

previously adv = difoah

Before now; earlier.

(Compare with before and for it)

Examples

Ich habb sell nett keaht difoah!

principle noun = da principle

The basic or underlying meaning or reason for a law, command in the Bible.

di principles | ↀ Plural

print verb = prinda

To print something out onto paper.

PAST TENSE ↺ | geprind

Examples

Ich habb’s shund raus geprind.

printed adj = geprind (common used)

Be or become printed out onto paper or in paperform. Opposite of something that’s in digital format.

Examples

Kann ich en geprind kabbi greeya?

privilege noun = da privilege

The assignments, duties or abilities someone has.

di privileges | ↀ Plural

problem noun = da problem

di problems | ↀ Plural

promise noun = da promise (common used)

di promises | ↀ Plural

promise verb

promise verb = fashprecha
- PAST TENSE ↺ | fashprocha

prophecy noun = da prophecy

di prophecies | ↀ Plural

protect verb = protekta

protection noun = protekshin

proud adj = proud

proud adj = proud (common used)
Arrogant; having the negative quality of pride; prideful.

For the positive quality of being proud, consider if using the word happy might work instead.
proud adj = shtols (archaic used)
Arrogant; having the negative quality of pride; prideful. (Not used outside of the Bible)

prove verb = proova

eah/see/es | prooft
miah | proova
diah | proovet
si | proova

PAST TENSE ↺ | geprooft

Examples

Si proova alles funn di Bivvel.

Eah hott alles geprooft funn di Bivvel.

Public Bible Discourse noun = da Bivvel Talk fa Awl-Leit

The public talk at an assembly or convention. (Theocratic term)

publication noun = da publication

Books, brochures, magazines, articles (Theocratic term)

di publications | ↀ Plural

publish verb = poblisha

To release or make a printed or digital publication or video available to the public.

PAST TENSE ↺ | gepoblisht

published adj = gepoblisht

pull out verb = raus zeeya

To pull, tear something out.

PAST TENSE ↺ | raus gezohwa

Examples

Ich habb di veetz raus gezohwa.

Pure Worship phrase = Gott recht deena (common used)

Used for Pure Worship (of God). Literally Serve God Correctly.

Instead of a noun, this phrase is used as a verb to describe worshiping and serving God in the correct way.

Examples

Vass maynd’s fa Gott recht deena?

purpose adv = poahbes (common used)

On purpose; purposely; deliberately. Intentionally doing something.

Not to be confused with purpose (noun).

Note: The word on is already included in the meaning, so it doesn’t need to be added. (See examples)

Examples

Ich habb nett poahbes.

Ebbah poahbes doht macha is letz.

put verb = du (common used)

To place something into, onto, or on something else. (See examples for some options.)

ich | du
du | dusht
eah/see/es | dutt
miah | doon
diah | doond
si | doon

PAST TENSE ↺ | gedu

Examples

Vi free dusht du eahpsa naus? / (EN: How early do you put peas out?)

Vann ich blohi paint uf di vand du, zayld’s en diffans macha.

Vann miah greeni paint uf di vand doon, zayld’s goot gukka.

Ich habb ebbes an eiyah deah gedu.

put into verb = nei du

To put something into something else. Can be used figuratively when talk about time, effort, heart.

(Conjugate du to match the noun.)

PAST TENSE ↺ | nei gedu

Examples

Du di zeit nei vann da job faddich gmacht hosht.

Da Menno hott en latt effort nei gedu fa en job greeya.

Du dei hatz nei vann du shtoddisht.

put on (clothes) verb = ohzeeya (common used)

To put on clothing item(s).

(See also to dress.)

PAST TENSE ↺ | ohgezowwa

Examples

Ich binn mei glaydah ohzeeya.

put up with phrase = uf du mitt

To endure or tolerate without complaining.

Examples

Daylmohls missa ma patiently uf du mitt unsah health.

Q

question noun = da question

di questions | ↀ Plural

question verb = frohwa (common used)

To ask.

PAST TENSE ↺ | kfrohkt

Examples

Frohk da vann es di bichah shtoddit mitt dich.

See hott Allen kfrohkt diveyya.

quiet adj = shtill

quite a few adj = edlichi

Many or an unmentioned number of something.

Examples

Edlichi yoah zrikk.

quote verb = quote

To repeat something word-for-word that someone said or wrote.

PAST TENSE ↺ | gekwoht

Examples

Eah hott funn’s buch gekwoht.

R

rain verb

rain verb = reyyahra (common used)
- ich | reyyah
- du | reyyahsht
- eah/see/se | reyyaht
- miah | reyyahra
- diah | reyyahret
- si | reyyahra
- PAST TENSE ↺ | greyyaht
Examples

Es hott greyyaht di gans nacht.
rain verb = raegla (common used)
(Regional: Daviess County, Indiana)

Examples

’Sis raegla datt draus.

rain noun

rain noun = da reyya (common used)
rain noun = da raegga (less used)
(Regional: Daviess County, Indiana)

raise (children) verb = uf zeeya (common used)

To raise children. (Lit. to pull up)

PAST TENSE ↺ | ufgezowwa

Examples

Vass hosht du gland funn vi si iahra kinnah ufgezowwa henn?

raised adj = ufgezowwa

How someone (usually children) are brought up.

rather adv = leevah

As in preferably; to prefer or like one thing over another. Always used with positive things.

Examples

Ich dayt leevah…

Daytsht du leevah ice cream essa adda candy?

reach verb = langa (common used)

ich | lang
du | langsht
eah/see/es | langd
miah | langa
diah | langet
si | langa

PAST TENSE ↺ | glangd

Examples

reacted verb = react

Examples

Vi henn’s mensht leit react zu deah message?

read verb = laysa (common used)

To read something silently or to someone else.

PAST TENSE ↺ | glaysa

reader noun = da laysah (common used)

Someone who reads something; usually out loud to others.

reading noun = es layses

Examples

’S Bivvel layses dee voch kumd funn Psalms 12.

ready adj = reddi

Examples

Bisht reddi? Vi reddi es ich vatt.

real adj = recht

Genuine. Opposite of false or fake.

Examples

Du kansht recht joy finna.

really adv = reeli

Actually; truly; close. Can also be used to intensify what you say.

really adv = hatt

Really. Used for emphasis. Always used along with a verb.

Examples

Eah hott hatt boviaht di shlisla finna.

Si hott hatt vella fa kumma.

reason noun = da reesin (common used)

di reesins | ↀ Plural

rebuilt adj = ivvah gebaut

recently adv = katzlich

Examples

Vass hott di Becky yusht katzlich gedu katt?

recognize verb = kenna (common used)

ich | kenn
du | kensht
eah/see/es | kend
miah | kenna
diah | kennet
si | kenna

PAST TENSE ↺ | gekend

recommended adj = rekkamend

Examples

Bichah, videos, un annah shtoft es rekkamend is.

record verb = rekorda

regret verb = shpeida (common used)

PAST TENSE ↺ | kshpeit

Examples

Es shpeit mich. / (I regret it.)

Es zayld mich shpeida. / (I will regret it.)

Sell hott mich kshpeit. / (I regretted that.)

Es hott mich kshpeit. / (I regretted it.)

regret noun = da regret

di regrets | ↀ Plural

regular adj = reklah

relatives noun = di freindshaft (common used)

Relations, family. One of our relatives when used singularly. (See examples)

Examples

Eah is unsah freindshaft.

’S mensht leit shteahra bei di good news sheira mitt iahra friends adda freindshaft.

rely verb = releiya

PAST TENSE ↺ | releiyd

Examples

Miah missa releiya uf unsah eldra vann miah baybes sinn.

Eah hott releiyd uf sei freindshaft.

remember verb

remember verb = meinda
To remember; recall something.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gmeind
Examples

Ich meind nau.
remember verb = meind halda
To keep in mind; continue to remember.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | meind kalda
Examples

Vass dutt ebbah inna race meind halda?

Di Mary hott awl dee sacha in meind kalda.

remind verb

remind verb = remind (common used)
Note: Past tense word is the same as present tense word; just be sure to include a helper verb with it.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | remind (Note: Use with the helper verb havva)
Examples

See remind mich funn iahra maemm.

Vass hott di Israeliddah remind es Gott heilich is?
remind verb = gmohna (less used)
Note: gmohna and gegmohnd are nearly archaic; but not marked as archaic because some older communities may still use it.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gegmohnd (Note: Use with the helper verb havva)
Examples

Da Amos hott di Arabella droh gegmohnd es see en appointment hott.

reminded adj = remind

Examples

Miah braucha remind vadda diveyya.

repentant adj = recht sorry

Literally: to be truly sorry. (Theocratic term)

replace verb = replaysa

PAST TENSE ↺ | replayst

replaced adj = replayst

respect noun = da respekt

resurrect verb

resurrect verb = zrikk zu layva bringa (common used)
Lit. to bring back to life.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | zrikk zu layva gebrocht (Note: Use with the helper verb havva)
resurrect verb = resurrect (common used)
- PAST TENSE ↺ | resurrect (Note: Use with the helper verb havva)
Examples

Da Jesus hott si resurrect.
resurrect verb = viddah ufshtay (archaic used)
Lit. stand up again. (Mostly used in the Bible.)
- PAST TENSE ↺ | viddah ufkshtanna (Note: Use with the helper verb sei)
Examples

Favass sinn miah shuah es selli es kshtauva sinn viddah ufshtay zayla?

Siddah es miah glawva es Jesus kshtauva is un viddah ufkshtanna is, grawt so, zayld Gott selli vo shlohfa in Jesus mitt eem bringa.

resurrected adj = resurrect (common used)

Examples

Favass voah di Martha shuah es da Lazarus resurrect vadda zayld?

resurrection noun

resurrection noun = da resurrection (common used)
- di resurrections | ↀ Plural
resurrection noun = di uffashtayung (less used)
(Mostly used in the Bible or when referring specifically to Jesus’ resurrection.)

return visit noun = viddah zrikk gay (common used)

When visiting a person and talking to them again. Lit. go back again. (Theocratic term)

right phrase = gell (common used)

As in right? Isn’t it? or Is that not so?

(Used at the end of a sentence as a confirmation of something.)

Examples

Dei daett shaft mitt construction, gell?

Miah henn samm reeli shayni dawwa katt, gell?

river noun = da revvah (common used)

di revvahra | ↀ Plural

rule verb = roola (common used)

To exercise authority over someone. Usually a king or a ruler in government.

ich | rool
du | roolsht
eah/see/es | roold
miah | roola
diah | roolet
si | roola

PAST TENSE ↺ | groold

rule noun

rule noun = da rool (common used)
The rulership or authority of a government or governments, or a leader.

Examples

Da Jesus sei rool.

Nett vi da rool funn mensha.
rule noun = di rool (common used)
A guide for conduct or guidelines on what to do or not to do.
- di rools | ↀ Plural
Examples

Da Dawfit hott selli rool gmacht.

Boviah nett zu feel rools macha.

ruled adj = groold (common used)

Examples

’Sis di veesht veld’s groold is bei da Satan.

ruler noun = da roolah

A general term for a person with authority.

di roolahs | ↀ Plural

run verb

run verb = shpringa (common used)
1. To move (people, animals)
2. To work; function (machines)
Note: Many things that do not literally run in English, instead walk (lawfa) in Deitsh. (water, rivers and streams, tears, liquids running over).
- But motors and equipment do ‘run’ in Pennsylvania Dutch (generators, refrigerators, washing machines, motors, cars and trucks).
- PAST TENSE ↺ | kshprunga (Note: Use with the helper verb sei)
Examples

Di kinnah shpringa alli meiya.

Da Junior is fatt kshprunga.

Di generator dutt shpringa.
run verb = shprenga (common used)
To operate something like a piece of equipment.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | kshprunga (Note: Use with the helper verb sei)
Examples

Ich kann di equipment shprenga.

Du bisht dei maul am shprenga!

S

sad adj = sad (common used)

(Not ~~bedrohwa~~)

Examples

Zvay leit es reeli sad voahra.

same pro = saym (common used)

As in similar or identical.

Note: When used as a pronoun, saym does not need da or di in front of it.

Examples

’Sis saym es sell.

Du bisht nett saym es see.

same adj

same adj = saym
Use alone or with neuter nouns.
same adj = saymi
Use with feminine or plural nouns.
same adj = saymah
Use with masculine nouns.

satisfy verb = saetisfeiya

save verb = sayva

PAST TENSE ↺ | ksayft

saved adj = ksayft

Examples

Missa miah yusht glawva an da Jesus fa ksayft sei?

saw verb = sayya (common used)

To cut up wood.

Compare with to split.
See also sow seed (sayya).

Note: Never use cut (shneida) when talking about cutting wood.

ich | say
miah | sayya
diah | sayyet
si | sayya

Examples

Say’s hols.

schedule noun = da sketshel

di sketshels | ↀ Plural

secretly adv = hinna rumm (common used)

Kept from view or without others knowing. Opposite of openly.

Examples

Si doon’s hinna rumm.

section noun = da section

di sections | ↀ Plural

Examples

Vass lanna ma funn deah section?

select verb = selekta

To pick from some options.

select from verb = raus laysa

To choose from several; pick out; choose from. Often selecting good or the best from.

PAST TENSE ↺ | raus glaysa

Examples

Ich habb di aebbeahra raus glaysa.

self pro

self pro = selvaht
himself, herself, itself pro = sich selvaht
myself pro = mich selvaht
oneself pro = em selvaht
One’s own self.
ourselves pro = uns selvaht
themselves pro = si selvaht
The words si and selvaht may be separated in sentences – especially for emphasis.

Examples

Si sinn selvaht ganga. (They went themselves)
yourself pro = dich selvaht
yourselves pro = eich selvaht
As in talking to more than one.

Examples

Achtet anri haychah es eich selvaht.

self-control noun = self-kantrohl

The quality.

send out verb = naus shikka

sense noun = sense

Examples

Dayt’s nett yusht sense macha?

sentence noun = da sentence

A line of text ending in a period, question mark, or exclamation mark.

di sentences | ↀ Plural

set straight verb = recht setza

To correct something or someone.

PAST TENSE ↺ | recht ksetzt

set straight adj = recht ksetzt

The condition of being or becoming corrected.

set up verb = ufsetza (common used)

To get something ready; usually for someone else or for someone else’s use. (ex: machinery)

PAST TENSE ↺ | ufksetzt

Examples

Ich muss alles ufsetza fa een.

set up adj = ufksetzt

The condition of having something set up and ready to be used.

Examples

Alles is ufksetzt.

settle verb = sedla

PAST TENSE ↺ | kseddeld

settled verb = kseddeld

shake up verb = fashidla

PAST TENSE ↺ | ufkshiddeld

Examples

Du nett mei drink fashidla.

Ich habb da drink ufkshiddeld.

shaken up adj = ufkshiddeld

Physically or emotionally.

Examples

Miah sedda kawm bleiva un nett ufkshiddeld vadda bei vass anri du kenna.

shaking noun = es shidles

shame noun = shawt (common used)

As in (a) shame; a terrible, sad, or emotionally painful situation.

Examples

Avvah’s is shawt es feel veeshti sacha shund gedu voahra

Sell’s shawt!

share verb = sherra (common used)

(Not ~~sheira~~)

PAST TENSE ↺ | ksherd

Examples

’Sis goot fa sherra mitt anri.

ship verb = shibba

To mail or send something.

PAST TENSE ↺ | kshibt

shipped adj = kshibt

The condition of being or becoming sent.

shortly before phrase = vennich eb

Examples

Vennich eb mei daett kshtauva is, hott eah ksawt…

shut off verb = abshodda

To shut off or turn off.

(Note: ab and shodda can be separated.)

Examples

Finn en blatz vo du’s besht denka kansht, un du ennich ebbes abshodda es dich distraekta kend, so vi dei phone.

since

since adv = siddah (common used)
From a past time until now.

Examples

Ever siddah’s ich yung voah…

Siddah sell, henn miah gvoond in Indiana.
since conjunction = siddah (common used)
In view of the fact that; because.

Examples

Siddah’s alles fagay zayld vi sell…

Siddah’s di dohda nix vissa, dann kenna si aw nimmand helfa.

single adj

single adj = ay
As in a single item.

Examples

Ich vill yusht ay shtikk boi.
single adj = single
As in not married.

Examples

Yo, see is shund single.

skin noun = di haut (common used)

slave noun = da slave (common used)

di slaves | ↀ Plural

sled riding verb = shlidda foahra (common used)

sling noun = di shling

A slingshot.

di shlinga | ↀ Plural

sluggish adj = shtokkich

Someone or something that’s slow-going, slow-moving, slow to change.

Examples

Deah gaul is so shloh un shtokkich!

Di kinnah sinn am kumma. Si sinn yusht shtokkich.

Eah’s shtokkich.

smart adj = shmeaht

smarter adj = shmeahdah

More smart.

snacks noun = di shnaeks

sometimes adv

Varies with the area and dialect.

sometimes adv = daylmohls (common used)
Examples

Favass mecht’s daylmohls hatt sei fa tshaynshes macha?
sometimes adv = alsmoll (common used)
Examples

Miah henn feel leit assigned zu unsah group, avvah alsmoll, henn miah elf anri, es kumma funn diffandi bletz.
sometimes adv = etmohl (common used)

somewhere = eiyetz

Examples

Du bisht am shaffa eiyetz es reeli laut is.

son noun

son noun = da boo (common used)
(Most commonly used in conversations.)
- di boova | ↀ Plural
son noun = da sohn (archaic used)
(Uncommon. Used only to refer to Jesus or in the Bible)

song noun = da song

di songs | ↀ Plural

Examples

Ma gleicha da song.

soon adv = glei

sort verb = sorta

To group and put similar things either together or separate from others.

PAST TENSE ↺ | ksort

sort of

sort of noun = fa (common used)
As in type; kind. (See also 3rd definition below)

(Often used in questions to get specific answers or example of something.)

Examples

Vass fa challenges hott da Andy katt?

Vass fa questions hosht du?
sort of adv = sadda (common used)
Somewhat.

Examples

’Sis sadda kald dimeiya.
sort of noun = sadda (common used)
Types; among a group of similar things.

Examples

Eah hott alli sadda grankeda kayld es di leit katt henn.

sound verb

sound verb = lauda
(See also the 2nd option)
- PAST TENSE ↺ | glaut
Examples

Es laut bissel roowich.

Es laut so shay fa mitt-nannah singa vi dess!
sound verb = sound
(Becoming more common; especially in the example phrase.)

Examples

Sell sound goot zu mich!

sovereignty noun = recht fa roola

Someone’s authority or right to rule.

special adj

special adj = speshel
(Use alone or with neuter nouns.)
special adj = spesheli
(Use with feminine or plural nouns.)
special adj = speshelah
(Use with masculine nouns.)

speed noun = da shpeet

The speed something moves or travels.

spelled adj = kshpeld

Examples

Mach shuah es awl vadda recht kshpeld sinn fa da test.

split verb = shpalda (common used)

To split something up or cause a division.

(Commonly used when talking about using an ax to split wood.)

Note: Not the same as to cut or saw wood.
— Compare with to saw (sayya).

PAST TENSE ↺ | kshpalda

Examples

Ich muss hols shpalda.

Iahra gmay hott kshpalda.

spoon noun = es leffel (common used)

di lefla | ↀ Plural

Examples

’S leffel is drekkich.

stain noun = da shtayn

A dirty or discolored spot
Coloring product applied to wood.

Examples

Sellah shtayn is roht.

stale verb = ohzeyya

To draw in moisture (often food)

Past tense means to have turned stale.

PAST TENSE ↺ | ohgezowwa

stale adj = ohgezowwa

Condition of being or becoming no long good because of drawing moisture.

Examples

’S broht is ohgezowwa.

stand verb

stand verb = shtay
1. To stand on one’s feet
2. To stand for; represent or mean something
- PAST TENSE ↺ | kshtanna (Note: Use with the helper verb sei)
Examples

Di letters USA shtayt fa United States of America.
stand verb = shtenda
To tolerate, bear or handle a situation.

Examples

Eah kann nett shtenda si sayna so hungahrich sei.

start noun = da shteaht

The beginning of something.

Examples

Si henn en goodah shteaht katt.

start verb = shteahra (common used)

To begin something.

PAST TENSE ↺ | kshteaht

Examples

Fa unsah fasamling shteahra, kenna ma ufshtay un’n song singa.

Alles hott goot kshteaht.

sticky adj = babbich

Examples

Sell’s reeli babbich!

still

still adj = shtill
Being still, quiet, calm.

Examples

Es is en zeit… fa shtill sei, un en zeit fa shvetza.
still adv = alsnoch
Up to and even now; ongoing and continuing

Examples

Vi vissa miah es di eahvet alsnoch results hott?

Bisht du alsnoch shaffa an dei haus?

Favass kenna miah alsnoch haebbi sei gevva zu anri even vann’s seemd es si nett dankboah sinn?
still adv = noch
still to come; yet (for the future)

Examples

Es is noch nett dawk.

Miah henn noch may fa du.
still adv = doch
Nevertheless, after all, even so.

(Doch is used to talk about something that is true, continues to be true, or is happening even when this is surprising.)

Examples

Miah sinn funn alli sadda leit avvah es dutt uns doch nett diveiyda.

Unsah boss is en importandah mann mitt feel responsibilities, eah is doch immah goot zu uns.

Es kosht en latt fa anri helfa, avvah miah gayn doch nett rumm frohwa fa geld.

stone noun = da shtay

di shtay | ↀ Plural

story noun = di shtoahri

di shtoahris | ↀ Plural

straight adj = grawt

Moving in the same direction as before
Free of curves or bends

(See also the words exactly and immediately)

Examples

Hald oh grawt faddi noch da stop sign.

Machet di pawt grawt.

strength noun = di graft

Examples

Eiyah graft zayld kumma funn trost havva un kawm bleiva.

Eah is da vann es uns graft gebt.

strong adj = shtaut

stronger adj = shtaudah

stubble noun = da shtubbel

Short but unshaven facial hair; as a whole.

study noun = da shtoddi

di shtoddis | ↀ Plural

Examples

Miah henn en Bivvel shtoddi alli voch.

study verb = shtodya

ich | shtoddi
du | shtoddisht
eah/see/es | shtoddit
miah | shtodya
diah | shtodyet
si | shtodya

PAST TENSE ↺ | kshtoddit

Examples

’Sis nett immah eesi fa shtodya.

Eah shtoddit alli meiya eb di eahvet.

stuff noun = es shtoft (common used)

Things; items.

Examples

Du kansht diffand shtoft daunlohda vann du vitt.

’Sis nix neiyes vann yungi shtoft shtrekka adda even shtoft sawwa es si nett reeli mayna.

Di box hott’n latt shtoft drinn.

stumble verb = stombla

PAST TENSE ↺ | kstombeld

stumbled adj = kstombeld

subject noun = da subject

Topics.

di subjects | ↀ Plural

such

such adv = so
To such a degree. (Used when emphasizing something)

Examples

Fido is so en aldah hund.

Paperwork du is so’n vaysa!
such adj = so (common used)
Such; suchlike; of a certain kind or type (when referring to things that have already been mentioned)

Examples

Gott is nett di shuld funn earthquakes un shlimm veddah. Feel funn’s soffahres heit kumd funn so sacha.

suffer verb = soffahra

PAST TENSE ↺ | ksoffaht

suffering noun = es soffahres

support noun = da support

support verb = supporda

surcingle noun = da bauch-gatt

Belt or strap that goes under horse’s stomach to hold a saddle or pack to horse’s back.

Examples

Mach shuah da bauch-gatt teit is.

sure enough phrase = shuah genunk (common used)

Meaning: Just as a person might expect.

Examples

Un shuah genunk, voahra miah viddah shpoht.

sympathize verb = mitt-leida

To have fellow feeling for someone.

Examples

Ich kann mitt-leida.

synchronize verb = sinkraneiysa

(Technology word)

PAST TENSE ↺ | sinkraneiysd

synchronized adj = sinkraneiysd

(Technology word)

Examples

Di files sinn sinkraneiysd.

T

talk noun = da talk

A speech or presentation.

di talks | ↀ Plural

talk verb = shvetza (common used)

To talk.

PAST TENSE ↺ | kshvetzt

tap verb = drikka (common used)

To tap or click on something.

ich | drikk
du | driksht
eah/see/es | drikt
miah | drikka
diah | drikket
si | drikka

PAST TENSE ↺ | gedrikt

Examples

Drikk uf da link.

Drikk druff.

Miah henn da download button gedrikt, avvah nix is am haebna.

teach verb

teach verb = teetsha (common used)
- eah/see/se | teetsht
- miah | teetsha
- diah | teetshet
- si | teetsha
- PAST TENSE ↺ | geteetsht
teach verb = lanna (common used)
Lit. to learn (someone).

Note: It may be less confusing in some situations to use teetsha instead.

(See also learn (lanna).)
- ich | lann
- du | lansht
- eah/see/se | land
- miah | lanna
- diah | lannet
- si | lanna
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gland
Examples

Da teacher hott di students gland vi fa shreiva.

teacher noun = da teacher (common used)

di teachers | ↀ Plural

Examples

Ich habb immah en teacher sei vella.

teaching noun = di teetshing (common used)

Something that is taught.

di teetshings | ↀ Plural

Teaching Toolbox noun = di Teaching Toolbox

(Theocratic term)

tear verb

tear verb = fareisa
To rip or create a tear in something.
- ich | fareis
- du | fareisht
- eah/see/se | fareist
- miah | fareisa
- diah | fareiset
- si | fareisa
- PAST TENSE ↺ | farissa
Examples

Ich habb mei hemm farissa.

Fareis ’s paytsh.
tear down or apart verb = nunnah reisa
To tear down and trash it.

Also can use zammah reisa (same meaning)
- ich | reis
- du | reisht
- eah/see/se | reist
- miah | reisa
- diah | reiset
- si | reisa
- PAST TENSE ↺ | nunnah grissa
Examples

Ich zayl’s nunnah reisa.

Vella gay selli sheiyah zammah reisa.
tear down or apart verb = farobba
To tear down as in to take apart piece by piece; disassemble.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | farobt
Examples

Ich zayld di puzzle alles farobba.

Ich habb alles farobt.
tear at verb = reisa
To tear at, remove; rip it out; pull at hard.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | grissa
Examples

Eah hott da poshta raus grissa.

tell verb

tell verb = sawwa (common used)
To tell or give information.
- ich | sawk
- du | sawksht
- eah/see/se | sawkt
- miah | sawwa
- diah | sawwet
- si | sawwa
- PAST TENSE ↺ | ksawt
Examples

Sawk dei daet ‘hi’ fa mich.

Sawk anri vi du shpiahsht.
tell verb = fazayla (common used)
To tell a story or joke; narrating.
- ich | fazayl
- du | fazaylsht
- eah/see/se | fazayld
- miah | fazayla
- diah | fazaylet
- si | fazayla
- PAST TENSE ↺ | fazayld
Examples

Eah is immah jokes fazayla.

Fazayl mich en shtoahri.

See hott mich en goot joke fazayld.

tempted adj = getempt

terrible adj = shlimm

Awful.

than conjunction = es

(Used to introduce the second element in a comparison.)

Examples

Da vann es di keah gmacht hott, hott may shooling katt es ich habb.

The Faithful and Discreet Slave noun = Di Faythfel Slave Mitt Veisheit

(Theocratic term.)

then

then adv = no (common used)
At that time. (Used with time)

Examples

Lays es buch, un no shvetza veyyich vass miah lanna.
then adv = dann (common used)
As a result. For that reason, as a consequence; result that comes from something else.

Examples

Vann du dusht, dann zaylsht du recht haebbi sei.

there

there adv = datt
Location away from the speaker; opposite of here (do).

Examples

Da hund is datt drivva.

’Sis kald datt draus.
there pro = es
A “filler” pronoun; often at the start of a sentence or thought. Usually with a form of sei or voahra following.

Examples

Es is nett genunk ess-sach in’s haus.

Es voahra at least 50 datt.

thinking noun = es denkes

The way a person thinks; opinion, viewpoint.

Examples

Di veld iahra denkes is letz.

Miah missa clear denkes havva.

this afternoon noun = dinochmidawk

Afternoon today.

this evening noun = dinohvet

Tonight; the evening today.

Note: You can also shorten it to dinoh’t.

this forenoon noun = difammidawk

Mid-morning today (between morning and noon).

this mid-day noun = dimiddawk

Noon today.

this time phrase = dessamohl

Examples

Avvah dessamohl, voahra sacha diffand.

thought noun

thought noun = da thought (common used)
- di thoughts | ↀ Plural
Examples

’Sis hatt vann du deelsht mitt thoughts veyyich dich selvaht umbringa.
thought noun (common used)
- di gedanka | ↀ Plural
Examples

Miah braucha hilf funn anri vann miah shlechti gedanka henn.

tidy adj = ufgrohmd

To condition of being tidy; put in order.

Examples

’S haus is so sauvah un ufgrohmd.

tidy up verb = ufrohma

To put things in order; to make things tidy.

PAST TENSE ↺ | ufgrohmd

Examples

Si henn’s haus ufgrohmd eb di fasamling.

time

time noun = di zeit (common used)
Time of day; time period.
- di zeida | ↀ Plural
Examples

Nemm zeit fa di bichah laysa alli dawk.

See kamfirt een deich haddi zeida.
time noun = es moll (common used)
An occasion. (Examples: this time, next time, last time, once)

Examples

Denk moll veyyich dess.

S’ neksht moll, kenna ma shvetza diveyya.

Ay moll, havvich mei middawk fagessa.

time flies phrase = zeit gayt on (common used)

EN: time flies
Deitsh: zeit gayt on.

Meaning: time passes quickly

to

to prep = fa
(Often when speaking about action or how to do something.)

Examples

Vi fa problems ausshaffa.
to prep = zu
Introduces a noun. (Used before the subject is mentioned.)

Examples

Vi kann ma naychah kumma zu anri?
to prep = ditzu
(Used to talk about a noun or pronoun after the subject has been mentioned. Usually at the end of a thought or sentence.)

Pronunciation Note: Ditzu is often pronounced with the emphasis on the zu. You could think of it as: d’zu, da’zu.

Examples

Vass sinn si am faddi gukka ditzu?

Veah bisht am shvetza ditzu?

tobacco noun = da doowak

today noun = heit (common used)

Examples

Vi bisht du heit?

tomorrow noun = meiya (common used)

(See also morning (meiya))

tonight noun = dinovet (common used)

The evening today; evening. (Generally the time leading up to nighttime.)

Note: It’s common to shorten the word to dinoh’t when speaking.

too bad phrase = shawt (common used)

Said of something that’s terrible or a shame.

Examples

Sell is shawt!

torn adj = farissa

Ripped or torn in something like fabric.

Examples

Mei rokk is farissa.

tough time phrase = tuffi zeit

A period of time that is hard to deal with; emotionally or physically. A difficult, rough period of time.

Similar to hard time (haddi zeit).

tract noun = da tract

Small piece of literature (mostly a theocratic term).

di tracts | ↀ Plural

train verb = trayna

PAST TENSE ↺ | getraynd

translate verb = trenslayda

To put something in one language into another language; usually written or audio.

PAST TENSE ↺ | getrenslayt

translation noun = trenslayshin

The result of translation.

di trenslayshins | ↀ Plural

trash noun = es trash

treat verb = treeda

To deal with or act toward someone else.

ich | treet
eah/see/es | treet
miah | treeda
diah | treetet
si | treeda

PAST TENSE ↺ | getreet

trial noun = da trial

Things that are difficult to deal with.

di trials | ↀ Plural

tricked adj = getrikt (common used)

Condition of being fooled or deceived.

trust noun = es trost (common used)

trust verb = trosta (common used)

eah/see/es | trost
miah | trosta
diah | trostet
si | trosta

PAST TENSE ↺ | getrost

trusted adj = getrost

Being dependable; worthy of trust.

Examples

Veis es du getrost sei kansht.

try verb = boviahra (common used)

(Not ~~broviahra~~)

Pronunciation tip: Boviahra is 3 syllables with emphasis on the middle syllable: bo-**viah’**ra.

ich | boviah
du | boviahsht
eah/see/es | boviaht
miah | boviahra
diah | boviahret
si | boviahra

PAST TENSE ↺ | boviaht

Examples

Vi hott da mann boviaht da Frank macha ufgevva?

try it out verb = ausboviahra

To test or try something out.

Examples

Ich habb en neiyah tool gekawft. Reddi fa’s ausboviahra?

turn down verb = nunnah drayya

To say no to something.

(Conjugate drayya as needed.)

PAST TENSE ↺ | nunnah gedrayt

Examples

Favass draysht du may boi nunnah?

Ich habb da offer nunnah gedrayt.

type of = fa (common used)

Of a type; sort, or kind; of a kind.

(See also for and to.)

Examples

Vass fa challenges hott da Bryan katt?

U

under it = unna droh (common used)

Beneath it.

(The example can be used to talk about a picture caption (words underneath a picture).)

Examples

Gukk an di piktahs un vass’s sawkt unna droh.

unharness verb = abkshadda

To take off an animal’s harness.

unhitch verb = ausshpanna

To disconnect an animal from a buggy or implement. Opposite of hitch (eikshpanna).

PAST TENSE ↺ | auskshpand

unhitched adj = auskshpand

Condition of being unhitched.

Examples

Is da donkey auskshpand?

unless conjunction = unni

Except on a certain condition.

(See also without for another meaning.)

Examples

Unni’s shunsht sawkt sinn di vadda gnumma funn dee buch.

unplug verb = unpluga

To disconnect something.

Examples

Unplug’s!

upbuild verb = ufbauwa

To encourage or strengthen someone or strengthen something.

PAST TENSE ↺ | ufgebaut

upbuilt adj = ufgebaut

Condition of being encouraged or strengthened.

upload verb = uplohda

(Technology term)

us pro

us pro = uns (common used)
us pro = em (common used)
Same meaning as uns, but more personal.

(Used when having a conversation with someone.)

use verb = yoosa (common used)

ich | yoos
eah/see/es | yoost
miah | yoosa
diah | yooset
si | yoosa

PAST TENSE ↺ | gyoost

use to = als

Once but no longer. When talking about something that existed or repeatedly happened in the past. (Used along with a verb.)

Note: Not to be confused with used to (gegvaynd).

Examples

Dusht du may drinka es du als hosht?

Leit sinn yusht may concerned diveyya es si als gvest voahra.

used adj = gyoost

For a certain purpose.

Examples

En trap is gyoost fa ess-sach greeya.

used to adj

used to adj = gegvaynd (common used)
To be or become accustomed to something.

Examples

Mei bukkel is nett gegvaynd zu sell bett.
used to adj = gyoost zu (less used)
(Less common. Regional only) To be or become accustomed to something.

V

verse noun

verse noun = es verse (common used)
A chapter is divided into verses in the Bible.
- di verses | ↀ Plural
Examples

Nohdes vass dess verse sawkt.
verse noun = da feahsht (archaic used)
(Older term for verse.)
- di feahshta | ↀ Plural

very adv = adlich

Very or pretty much.

video noun = da video

di videos | ↀ Plural

view noun = da view

Viewpoint or opinion.

di views | ↀ Plural

Examples

Favass is’s so importand fa da recht view havva?

view verb

view verb = mayna (common used)
To have a certain viewpoint or opinion.
- ich | mayn
- du | maynsht
- eah/see/se | maynd
- miah | mayna
- diah | maynet
- si | mayna
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gmaynd
Examples

’S mensht leit mayna es is.

Ich habb gmaynd alli-ebbah voah feah am getreet vadda, avvah ich habb glei auskfunna sell is nett voah.
view verb = ohgukka (common used)
To look at something (mentally) or consider it in a certain way.
- PAST TENSE ↺ | ohgegukt
Examples

Boviah sacha ohgukka vi dei partner dutt.

vote verb = vohta

W

war noun = da war (common used)

di wars | ↀ Plural

warning noun = da warning

di warnings | ↀ Plural

waste verb = waysta

PAST TENSE ↺ | gwayst

Examples

Du hosht en latt gwayst!

wasted adj = gwayst

Examples

So feel ess-sach is gwayst.

watch verb = vatsha

ich | vatsh
eah/see/es | vatsht
miah | vatsha
diah | vatshet
si | vatsha

Watchtower noun = Da Vatshtavvah (common used)

The Watchtower magazine.

weather noun = es veddah (common used)

Examples

Miah henn samm shay veddah katt.

weekend noun

weekend noun = da weekend (common used)
weekend noun = es end funn di voch (less used)
Lit. end of the week. (Often when talking about the weekend congregation meeting)

weird adj

weird adj = weird
(Used alone or with neuter nouns)
weird adj = weirdah
(Used with masculine nouns)
weird adj = weirdi
(Used feminine or with plural nouns)

What is wrong with you? phrase = Vass fayld dich?

Same as the English phrases: What is your problem? and What’s your damage?
Used jokingly.

Examples

Vass faylet eich?

when = vann

when adv = vann (common used)
At or during what time.

(See also if for another meaning of vann.)

Examples

Vann kenna ma kumma?
when conjunction = vann (common used)
1. While; at or during a time
2. In the event that; if
Examples

Vann ich noch yung voah.

Vann sell haebend, kenna miah ebbes shunsht du.

whether conjunction = eb (common used)

When talking about 2 possible options or outcomes.

Note: Not to be confused with if (vann).

(See also Eb vs Vann language lesson)

Examples

Di Donna vill vissa eb du hinkel-flaysh adda fish vitt.

which (one) adj

Which (one); which in particular.

which adj = vellah
(Used alone or with masculine nouns)

Examples

Vellah hoot gleichsht du’s besht?
which adj = velli
(Used with feminine or plural nouns)

Examples

Velli promises gleichsht du’s besht?
which adj = vels
1. Used with neuter nouns
2. Used along with of (funn)
Examples

Da nohma sawkt vels buch in di library.

Vels funn dee songs gleichsht du’s besht?

while conjunction = veil

During a time.

Examples

Du zaylsht en latt may lanna veil’s miah mitt-nannah shvetza veyyich di lessons.

wife noun = di fraw (common used)

di frawwa | ↀ Plural

will be verb = vadda

Will be or become.

ich | vatt
du | vatsht
eah/see/es | vatt
miah | vadda
diah | vaddet
si | vadda

PAST TENSE ↺ | vadda (Note: Use with the helper verb sei)

Examples

Nimmand vatt kfrohkt fa geld.

Vass setsht du denka diveyya eb gedawft vatsht?

willing adj = willing

(Not ~~villing~~)

wisdom noun

wisdom noun = es wisdom (common used)
More common in conversations.

Examples

Vo kenna miah recht wisdom finna?

Vass doon feel leit mitt**’s wisdom** es si heahra funn di Bivvel?
wisdom noun = di veisheit (less used)
(Still used, but used more often in the Bible.)

wish

wish verb = vinsha
- ich | vinsh
- du | vinsht
- miah | vinsha
- diah | vinshet
- si | vinsha
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gvinsht
Examples

Ich vinsh ich voah shund grohs.
wish verb = vodda
- ich | vott
- du | votsht
- eah/see/se | vott
- miah | vodda
- diah | voddet
- si | vodda
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gvott
Examples

Ich vott’s veah Samshdawk so’s miah gay kenna ebbel geddahra.

without prep = unni (common used)

(See also unless (unni).)

Examples

Miah henn kenn hofning unni dich.

witness noun = da witness

People who saw something happen. (courtroom, legal term)
Opportunity to give evidence from the Bible or about God (theocratic term)
Shortened word for someone who is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. (theocratic term)

Examples

Es voahra feel leit funn lang zrikk es en witness gevva henn veyyich iahra glawva.

See is nau en witness because see hott di accident ksenna.

witness verb = witnesa (common used)

To talk about the Bible and spiritual things with someone else of a different faith.

Examples

Vi kenna miah patient sei vann miah witnesa zu em sei family?

woman noun

woman noun = es veibsmensh (common used)
A woman in general; without mention of whether she is married or not.
- di veibsleit | ↀ Plural
woman (married) / wife noun = di fraw (common used)
A married woman; wife.
- di frawwa | ↀ Plural

wonder verb = vunra (common used)

To be curious about something.

ich | vunnah
du | vunnahsht
miah | vunra
si | vunra

PAST TENSE ↺ | gvunnaht

Examples

Du vunnahsht fleicht, ‘Vass is dess gmacht difunn?’

Du mechsht vunra…

Di Doris hott gvunnaht favass Gott leit lost soffahra.

work noun = di eahvet (common used)

Type of work; employment, job
The place someone works at (often an di is included)
The work or effort someone does.

Examples

Vass fa eahvet dusht du?

’Sis hays an di eahvet in summah.

’Sis goot fa haddi eahvet du.

Denki fa awl eiyah haddi eahvet.

work verb = shaffa (common used)

To do work. Not to be confused with di eahvet (work).

PAST TENSE ↺ | kshaft

Examples

Miah shaffa hatt an di eahvet.

Ich shaff hatt fa di bills betzawla.

Veah hott kshaft Moondawk?

Workbook noun = es Ministry un Layva Fasamling Workbuch (common used)

Life & Ministry Workbook (theocratic term)

works out verb = aus shaffa (common used)

To end up or work out (usually in a good or positive way).

Conjugate shaffa to fit the correct pronoun.

PAST TENSE ↺ | auskshaft

Examples

… en blatz un zeit es’s besht aus shaft fa dich.

Boviahret un saynet vi’s aus shaft fa eich.

worn out adj = ausgvoahra

Examples

Mei glaydah sinn ausgvoahra.

worried adj = gwohrit

Examples

Binn nett zu gwohrit diveyya.

worries noun

di wohris | ↀ Plural

worry verb = wohriya (common used)

ich | wohri
miah | wohriya
si | wohriya

PAST TENSE ↺ | gwohrit

Examples

Wohri nett diveyya.

Sell helft uns fa nett zu feel wohriya.

worse adj = shlimmah (common used)

More terrible or awful.

worship noun = da glawva (common used)

The worship a person or people gives to God
The faith or religion a person belongs to

worship verb

worship verb = deena (common used)
(Usually positive) To worship or serve God. Generally a way of life.
- ich | deen
- du | deensht
- eah/see/se | deend
- miah | deena
- diah | deenet
- si | deena
- PAST TENSE ↺ | gedeend
(act of) worship verb = ohbayda (less used)
(Often negative) To do an act of worship. (ex kneeling down, bowing down, etc).
- du | ohbaydsht
- eah/see/se | ohbayt
- miah | ohbayda
- diah | ohbaydet
- si | ohbayda
Examples

(Satan to Jesus) “Vann du mich aymoll ohbaydsht, dann zayld awl dess dein sei.”

worst adj

Most terrible.

worst adj = shlimsht
(Use alone or with neuter nouns)
worst adj = shlimshtah
(Use with masculine nouns)
worst adj = shlimshti
(Use with feminine or plural nouns)

worthwhile adj = diveaht

Examples

’S mecht en latt effort nemma, avvah es zayld diveaht sei.

would verb = dayda (common used)

would be verb = veahra

du | veahsht
eah/see/es | veah
miah | veahra
si | veahra

Examples

Es veah goot vann du di kee feedra daytsht dimeiya.

would have verb = hedda

Often used in hypothetical situations and when looking back at something that happened in the past.

ich | hett
du | hetsht
eah/see/es | hett
miah | hedda
si | hedda

Examples

Vann da Adam un di Ayfaw Gott keicht hedda, hedda si un iahra kinnah di gans eaht zu en paradise macha kenda vi sellah goahra.

Vass dayt haebna zu alli-ebbah vann ma nett hilf hedda?

Favass hedda Jehova sei vadda da Jesus kolfa?

Fa’n langi zeit hott’s Hannah kenn kinnah havva kenna, avvah see hett geahn vedda.

Vass hett fleicht da Kornelius zrikk hayva kenda funn gedawft vadda?

Vann du en goodah friend hetsht un anri leit shteahra shtoft sawwa veyyich een es nett voah is, vass daytsht du du?

Vass denksht’s kaebend hett vann da Johnny nett willing voah fa tshaynshes macha?

would have to verb = mista (common used)

Would need to. (Often when talking about something that must be done in future.)

ich | mist
miah | mista
si | mista

Examples

Ich mist een frohwa eb miah en decision macha.

Mist moll gukka vass di team decide.

Miah mista een seahsht frohwa.

would want verb = vedda

Would want (to).

ich | vett
du | vetsht
eah/see/es | vett
miah | vedda
diah | veddet
si | vedda

PAST TENSE ↺ | vedda

Examples

Ich vett havva es da Leon aw’s abheicht.

Vann vedda si recht careful sei?

wrinkle noun = da runsel

Wrinkles in clothing or skin.
To put a wrinkle or kink in a plan. (figure of speech)

di runsla | ↀ Plural

Examples

Sell dutt en runsel in unsah plan.

wrinkly adj = runslich

Skin or clothing.

Examples

Vann du shmohksht, zayld dei haut runslich vadda.

X

Y

yard noun

yard noun = da hohf
Grassy location.
yard noun = da yoaht
Measurement; that is, 36 inches.

yes adv

yes adv = yau (common used)
To agree. Opposite of no.
yes adv = yo (common used)
Definitely yes, absolutely yes. (For emphasis)

Examples

Yo! Ich reeli du!

Yo, yo, yo!
yes adv = yo (common used)
Similar to: actually, yes. (Used when responding to a question or statement where the other person assumes the answer is no.)

Examples

Person 1: ’Sis am shnaya grawt nau. Du bisht nett am do hivva kumma, gell?

Person 2: Yo, ich zayl glei datt sei.

Person 1: Da Henry shaft nett heit, right?

Person 2: Yo. Eah shaft biss middawk.

yesterday noun = geshtah (common used)

yet adv = noch

As of yet; at the present time.

(See also another and still for other meanings of noch.)

Examples

Hosht du keaht funn da Mervin? Noch nett.

Di mail is noch nett do.

you pro

you pro = du
The doer of the action.

Examples

Du kansht di ensahs finna.
you pro = dich
The receiver of the action.

Examples

Ich helf dich.
you (plural) pro = diah
You plural; as in y’all. Doers of the action.

Examples

Diah sind labbich!
you (plural) pro = eich
You plural; as in y’all. Receivers of the action.

Examples

Vi kann di Bivvel eich helfa deela mitt dee sacha?

Ich vill eich helfa.

young adj

young adj = yung
Use alone or with neuter nouns.
young adj = yungah
Use with masculine nouns.
young adj = yungi
Use with feminine or plural nouns.

young (person) noun = ebbah yunges (common used)

di yungi | ↀ Plural

Examples

Vass fa subject mecht hatt sei fa ebbah yunges fa shvetza diveyya?

Di yungi sinn am shpeela.

younger adj

younger adj = yingah
Use alone or with neuter nouns.
younger adj = yingahrah
Use with masculine nouns.
younger adj = yingahri
Use with feminine or plural nouns.

younger (people) noun = di yingahri

Plural. Young people as a group. Opposite of older people.

Examples

Di eldri sinn dankboah fa di yingahri iahra hilf.

youngest adj = yingsht

Examples

Veah is yingsht?

yours pro = dein

(Possessive pronoun; used only without another noun; otherwise, use your (dei) when mentioning a noun.)

Examples

Mei nohma’s Ayden. Vass is dein?

Z

zeal noun = da zeal

Really eager to do something.

(Not eahnsht unless in the Bible.)

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