Category: Language Tips
Tips for Learning Pennsylvania Dutch Language
Want to learn a language like Pennsylvania Dutch, or continue improving? The How to Get Started page is a good place to find learning resources for learning Pennsylvania Dutch. But how to you actually learn a language? Here are some tips that have helped many people learn a new language. And the good news is,…
regret and regretted
Regret verb = shpeida Regret verb = shpeida (conjugate) Es zayld mich shpeida. (I will regret it.) Es shpeit mich. (I regret it.) (lit. It regrets me.) Es zayld dich shpeida vann du nett dess gans recht fashtaysht. Regretted verb = kshpeit past tense Sell hott mich kshpeit. (I regretted that.) Es hott mich kshpeit.…
good news and bad news
Using the English phrases good news and bad news are clear and easy to understand for native Pennsylvania Dutch speakers.
Memorial Words
Memorial (or ’S Ohdenkes) Words Here are a few common words that are used when talking about the Memorial of Christ’s Death (also known as ’s Ohdenkes or ’s Nachtmohl). These articles may also be helpful to find phrases involving the Memorial and Jesus’ death:
Meeting Parts Names
The midweek meeting format was updated in January 2024. Here are the names of the sections and parts in Pennsylvania Dutch.
Time Words and Verb Order
When a sentence starts with a time word or phrase, the first verb jumps in front of the subject.
missa nett and daufa nett
How do you say that something ‘must not’ be done in Pennsylvania Dutch? It’s ‘missa nett’…, right? Actually, it’s ‘daufa nett’. Why?
patient and geduldich
When do you use patient and geduldich in Pennsylvania Dutch? When would you use patience and geduld?
Figures of Speech: Walking and Running
Pennsylvania Dutch uses some figures of speech that involve walking and running that are similar to English — how are they different?
shpringa and shprenga
What’s the difference between the Deitsh words shpringa and shprenga? Both of the words shpringa and shprenga are verbs (action words) that mean to run. Shpringa verb = to run (as in movement, or to work and function) Shprenga verb = to run (as in to operate something else) ℹ See also the Pennsylvania Dutch…