Category: Language Tips

Categories
Confusing Words Words of the Week

yau and yo

Is there more than one way to say ‘yes’ in Pennsylvania Dutch? Yes, actually.

  1. yes = yau (to agree; opposite of no)
  2. yes = yo (definitely yes or absolutely yes; for emphasis)
  3. yes = yo (actually yes)

1. yau = yes

The most common way you’ll say yes in Pennsylvania Dutch is yau.

Yau means exactly what you’d expect it to mean—yes. Use yau when answering questions. It’s uncomplicated, and the opposite of nay (no).

yo

While yo also means yes, knowing when and how to use yo is trickier and depends on the conversation.

… knowing when and how to use yo is trickier and depends on the conversation.

Let’s look at 2 of the most common ways to use yo in a Pennsylvania Dutch conversation.

2. yo = definitely yes

In some areas, yo is used to emphasize yes—as in, definitely yes. It can be used either in response to a question, or to a statement you really agree with.

Examples of definitely yes

Vitt samm ice cream?
Yo, ich du!

Eah is reeli am vaxa.
Yo, yo, yo.

3. yo = yes (actually)

You can also use yo for yes when responding to a question or statement that the other person assumes the answer to is no. Probably the closest to English would be: actually yes.

Example:

Person 1: ’Sis am shnaya grawt nau. Du bisht nett am do hivva kumma, gell?
Person 2: Yo. Ich zayl glei datt sei.

In the example, person 1 doesn’t expect person 2 to be coming over since it’s snowing. However, person 2 says the equivalent of, “Actually, yes. I will be there soon.”

Another example:

Person 1: Da Henry shaft nett heit, gell?
Person 2: Yo. Eah shaft biss middawk.

Again, person 1 thought Henry wasn’t working today. But person 2 says that actually (yes), he works until lunch.

As you can imagine, this use of yo is pretty limited and you probably won’t use it very often. But it’s good to know in case you hear someone else say it to you.

Categories
Confusing Words Words of the Week

nevlich and dufftich

A photo of foggy day with a pond and tree in view.

Both nevlich and dufftich are adjectives (description words) that mean foggy.

Foggy adj = nevlich (when speaking about the weather)

Foggy adj = dufftich (as in fogged up; glasses, windows, etc)

💡 What’s the Difference?

nevlich

Heit is gans nevlich draus.

Use nevlich (foggy) when you’re talking about the weather—when it’s foggy outside and hard to see.

’Sis gans nevlich dimeiya.

’Sis am reiyra draus un nevlich dimeiya.

dufftich

Di fenshtahra sinn dufftich.

On the other hand, use dufftich (foggy) when talking about an object that is fogged up; usually from steam or a difference in temperature—such as glass, windows, mirror, or eyeglasses.

Dufftich can also be used jokingly:

Mei brain is dufftich dimeiya.

Categories
Confusing Words Words of the Week

mayna, ohgukka, da view

view / have opinion verb = mayna (to have a set opinion or view about something)
Dayl leit mayna es si immah recht sinn.

view verb = ohgukka (to look at something a certain way; perhaps even by comparing)
Boviah sacha ohgukka vi anri doon.

view noun = da view (an opinion or viewpoint)
Avvah, sell is da letz view.

💡 What’s the Difference?

While all three words look the same in English, mayna is a verb that refers to the action of having a certain (usually set or established) view or opinion about something.

Ohgukka is also a verb, but means to look at something a certain way; perhaps considering and comparing things.

On the other hand, da view is a noun that refers to the viewpoint or opinion itself.

Categories
Language Tips

Using Genders with Inanimate Objects

In English, most inanimate objects are talked about with the pronoun it. But some things — cars, boats and ships, and tools — can be referred to as if they are a he or a she. These are called metaphorical genders.

“I just saw a classic Corvette. She‘s a beaut!”

“I got the mower ready. I just had to clean him out.”

In the same way, most nouns in Pennsylvania Dutch are referred to with the neuter pronoun it (es). But a small number of nouns can be talked about as if they were a he (eah/een) or a she (see). This is based on the gender of the noun.

Since not every noun can be talked about like this, below is a small (and very incomplete) list of some of them.

ENPGExamples
Bibledi BivvelDi Bivvel hott goot advice. See helft millions leit ensahs finna.
Earthdi eahtEs hott een kolfa sayna es Gott di eaht gmacht hott, un zayld see aw sayva.
songda songMa gleicha da song. Eah is fann fa singa!
Vella song 15 singa. Eah’s hayst…
videoda videoDess is’n importandah video. So ich vett een veisa.
Nouns in Pennsylvania Dutch that use metaphorical genders as pronouns.

Using Metaphorical Genders

It makes perfect sense to refer to people with the pronouns he/him (Dad, son, farmer) or she/her (Mom, daughter *, wife). That’s the same with Pennsylvania Dutch. Keep using those pronouns.

But you can view these metaphorical genders as a bonus that can season your Deitsh conversations.

So, when in doubt about a certain noun, use the it pronoun (es) for inanimate objects. While it may sound a little off to a native speaker, they’ll still understand what you’re saying.

* Footnote 1: In many areas and communities, an unmarried girl or daughter is referred to with the neuter pronoun (es maydel / ’s Esther) until they are married.

Categories
Language Tips

Giving Commands

In conversation, you’ll eventually need to give commands or instructions in Pennsylvania Dutch. What should you remember about verbs when giving commands?

Giving commands to one person in Pennsylvania Dutch

When you give commands in Pennsylvania Dutch to one person, the first verb is conjugated to ich (I) — even though ich is not used in the sentence.

Since the word ich doesn’t appear in the sentence, you could imagine yourself saying, “I am telling you…”

Examples

Kawl mich shpaydah. (Call me later.)

Mach shuah di deah zu gmacht is. (Make sure the door is closed.)

Kumm rei. (Come in.)

Gebb uns en kawl. (Give us a call.)

Vann du vitt, shreib en note un shikk ’s zu uns. (If you want, write a note and send it to us.)

In each of the examples above, notice how the first verb is conjugated to ich (I).

You’ll notice in the last example, shreib (write) and shikk (send) are not at the start of the sentence. But they are at the start of a new thought.

Giving commands to more than one person in Pennsylvania Dutch

When you give commands to more than one person in Pennsylvania Dutch, things are slightly different. Instead of conjugating the first verb for ich (I), you conjugate the first verb to diah (you plural) when giving commands to a group.

Just as with giving commands to one person, diah does not appear in the sentence, but it’s implied since the verb starts the sentence.

Examples

Shtobbet sell! ((you all) Stop that!)

Veiset leevi un respekt zu anri. ((you all) Show love and respect to others.)

Gukket an’s piktah. ((you all) Look at the picture.)

Gevvet nett uf! ((you all) Don’t give up!)

Shpaydah, gevvet uns en kawl. (Later, (you all) give us a call.)

Again, in each of the examples above, notice how the first verb is conjugated to diah (you plural).

And once again (see last example), the command is usually at the start of a sentence, but not always. Just make sure it’s at the start of the new thought.

Bonus Tip: Compound Words Get Split

You may also notice that some compound words get split apart when used in commands or instruction in Pennsylvania Dutch.

For example:

  • oh’halda (continue) becomes Hald oh / Haldet oh
  • abheicha (listen) becomes Heich ab / Heichet ab

This isn’t a full list, but just something to be on the lookout for.

Categories
Language Tips

Speaking About Location

In English, when talking about location, there are word combinations that naturally go together. Up here, down there. This is also true in Pennsylvania Dutch. Let’s talk about how to talk about location in Pennsylvania Dutch first.

Location

When talking about location in Pennsylvania Dutch, you need at least one of 2 words in your sentence: do (here) and datt (there). These are from the speaker’s point of view.

location here

do (here)

Something close to the speaker

location there

datt (there)

Something away from speaker

Location in Simple Sentences

In simple sentences, you may only need to use here and there.

EN: I am here.
PDC: Ich binn do.		EN: You are there.
PDC: Du bisht datt.
EN: The cats are here.
PDC: Di katza sinn do.		EN: The cats are there.
PDC: Di katza sinn datt.

Location in Complex Sentences

But many times, you’ll need to explain more about where something is. In those cases, you need a preposition. Prepositions go with do (here) and datt (there) and give more details.

Here are some prepositions that work along with do and datt:

  • in (in)
  • aus (out)
  • ovva/uf (up/on)
  • unna (down/under)
  • ivvah (over)
EN: I am in here.
PDC: Ich binn do hinn.		EN: You are out there.
PDC: Du bisht datt draus.
EN: The cats are down here.
PDC: Di katza sinn do hunna.		EN: The cats are up there.
PDC: Di katza sinn datt drovva.

Note: Do and datt go before the prepositions in the sentence.

You’ll notice the prepositions listed above become different words. When used with a location word like here and there, they get a prefix added to the front.

For example:

  • Prepositions that go with do (here) get an h added to the front
    • h + in = hinn
    • h + unna = hunna
  • Prepositions that go with datt (there) get dr added to the front
    • dr + aus = draus
    • dr + ovva = drovva
Location Chart
Roothdr
used with:do (here)datt (there)
in (in)hinndrinn
aus (out)hausdraus
ovva (up)hovvadrovva
unna (down)hunnadrunna
ivvah (over)hivvadrivva
Source: Deitshbooks.com

Do More With What You’ve Just Learned

Interactive Worksheet

Use the interactive worksheet to practice and quiz yourself using location and prepositions in Pennsylvania Dutch to see how the sentence changes.

For more examples of location and direction words in action, see the Location and Direction (PDF) external link on deitshbooks.com.

Categories
Language Tips

When to Use ‘am’ With -ing Verbs

In English, when something is happening, -ing goes on the end of the verb.

For example, we might say, “We walk.” when talking about something you do in general. But if you were in the middle of a walk, you would say, “We are walking.”

It’s the same in Pennsylvania Dutch. When talking about actions that are happening right now, or ongoing, those verbs need an -ing to go along with it. But instead of adding something to the end of the verb, in Pennsylvania Dutch, you use the separate word am in front of the verb.

But you do not add am in front of just any -ing verb. How do you know when?

The quick answer is, use am:

  1. When the action is happening right now, or it’s an ongoing action.
  2. When imaging yourself in a past situation or and discussing an action that was currently happening at that time.

You only need to add am with talking about an action that is happening right now or continuing.

Talking about the present in Pennsylvania Dutch

Let’s look at a couple of examples when talking about the present.

EN: Learning deitsh is not easy.

PDC: Deitsh lanna is nett eesi.

In English, the word learning has -ing at the end. But in Pennsylvania Dutch, there’s no need to use am in front of lanna (learning) because this is not specifically talking about an action that’s happening right now.

Let’s look at another similar sentence using the same verb.

EN: I am learning deitsh.

PDC: Ich binn deitsh am lanna.

In this example, lanna (learning) is something that is ongoing, so it does need am in front of lanna. That is to say, you are continuing to learn.

Let’s see another common sentence.

EN: One way that we can do this is by praying.

PDC: Ay vayk es ma dess du kann is bei bayda.

Here, bayda (praying) does not need am because it’s just talking about praying in general; not something being done right now.

Let’s look at one more example. This one is interesting because it has two verbs that would have -ing on the end of them in English.

EN: A lot of people enjoy reading the book and it is helping them.

PDC: En latt leit enjoya ‘s buch laysa un ‘sis si am helfa.

Here, laysa (reading) is not talking about something that’s being done right now. So laysa does not need am with it.

On the other hand, helfa (help) needs am because the [information from the] book is currently helping them.

Talking about the past

When talking about the past, you normally don’t need am since it’s likely not currently happening. You would normally use past tense verbs in those situations anyway.

But here’s the exception: When imagining yourself in the past.

Imagine you’re talking about something that happened in the past. If you’re talking about something that was happening (ongoing action) at that time…your verb needs am.

EN: Who was he probably talking about when he said: “Forgive them?”

PDC: Veah voah eah andem am shvetza diveyya vann eah ksawt hott: “Fagebb si”?

In this sentence, you’re asking your listener to imagine themselves in this situation that happened in the past.

So even though it happened in the past, it’s like you’re being asked to put yourself there. Since this person was talking (shvetza), and it was happening then, you need am.

It’s as if you jump back in time and you’re there; imagining what is currently going on in the situation.

Let’s look at another example that common.

EN: From what Mark 12:41 says, what do you think was happening?

PDC: Funn vass Markus 12:41 sawkt, vass denksht du es am haebna voah?

Again, talking about a past event, but asking the listener to travel back in time and imagine what was happening (am haebna) then. You need am in this situation.

Summary

You only need to use am in front of verbs when:

  1. The action is happening right now, or it’s an ongoing action
  2. Imaging yourself in a past situation and discussing an action that was currently happening at that time.
Categories
Confusing Words Language Tips

Adjectives vs Past Tense Verbs

In English, some adjectives are spelled and pronounced exactly the same as past tense verbs (actions in the past). This is also true in Pennsylvania Dutch.

Some English examples:

  • Made can describe an action in the past, or the ingredients of something.
    • I made a cake. (past tense verb)
    • What is this table made from? (adjective)
  • Blessed can describe an action in the past, or your current condition.
    • God blessed them. (past tense verb)
    • We are really blessed. (adjective)
  • Scheduled can talk about an action in the past, or the condition of an event.
    • I scheduled the meeting last week. (past tense verb)
    • Our meeting is scheduled for next week. (adjective)
  1. Why Does It Matter?
  2. What are Adjectives and Past Tense Verbs
    1. When an Adjective and a Past Tense Verb Look the Same
    2. How to Tell a Verb From an Adjective

Why Does It Matter?

Knowing the difference between an adjective and a past tense verb helps make it clear whether someone is talking about the past, present, or future.

This is because both adjectives and past tense verbs need other verbs to go along with them in a sentence. These other verbs are different based on whether it is an adjective or a past tense verb, so you must know which ones to use.

  • With past tense verbs, these are called helper verbs: havva, voahra, and occasionally sei.
  • With adjectives, these verbs are a form of sei or vadda.

First of all; what are adjectives and what are past tense verbs?

What are Adjectives and Past Tense Verbs

Adjectives

  1. Adjectives describe a noun.
  2. Adjectives also describe someone or something’s condition or situation — what they are or could become.

For example, a person might be young (yung), hungry (hungahrich), tired (meet), or angry (bays). Something might be new (nei), old (ald), rusty (roshtich), or fast (shteik).

Past Tense Verbs

  1. Verbs are actions.
  2. So past tense verbs (past participles, PP) are actions done in the past.

Examples of past tense verbs are: ran (kshprunga), wrote (kshrivva), threw (kshmissa), thought (gedenkt), said (ksawt).

Many adjectives are placed right next to the nouns they describe. For example, fat cat, fast dog, big trees. But adjectives do not have to appear right next to the noun they describe.

When an Adjective and a Past Tense Verb Look the Same

It’s very easy to spot most adjectives. But some adjectives look and sound exactly the same as past tense verbs. Let’s look at just 2 examples where it might be hard to tell an adjective from a past tense verb.

Destroyed

As a Past Tense Verb

The dog destroyed the shoe. | Da hund hott da shoo distroit.

  • Destroyed is a past tense verb because it’s an action the dog has already done. So it needs the helper verb hott.
As an Adjective

The town will be destroyed by the storm. | Di shtatt zayld distroit vadda bei da shtoahm.

  • Destroyed is an adjective because it talks about the future condition of the town—what it will be. Here, it needs the verb vadda since it is an adjective.

Found

As a Past Tense Verb

He found the book. | Eah hott‘s buch kfunna.

  • Found is a past tense verb because it is a something that happened in the past.
  • Clue: Notice the helper verb hott.
As an Adjective

It’s information that is found in the library. | ‘Sis information es kfunna is in di library.

  • Found is an adjective since it describes the condition of the information.
  • Clue: Note the is that follows it.

How to Tell a Verb From an Adjective

The easiest way to tell the difference is to ask yourself some questions.

Past Tense Verbs
  • Is it an action?
  • Did it happen in the past?

…then it’s a past tense verb (PP)

… then make sure it has an helper verb like sei or havva.

Adjectives
  • Is it describing a condition?
  • Is it something a person, place, or thing is or can become?
  • Is it happening currently or in the future?

… then it’s an adjective.

… and it needs a form of sei or vadda.

Also, when reading, look at clue words in the sentence.

Past tense verbs will have helper verbs — forms of havva are most common, but a few can also be sei.

Adjectives, on the other hand, will often have forms of sei or vadda.

To make it easier to spot, where possible, each word in the Words List is marked as either a past tense verb (PP) or as an adjective (adj).

Categories
Language Tips

Signals of Thought Changes

A sentence can be simple. But they can also be complex — having more than one thought. Below is a list of Pennsylvania Dutch words (mostly prepositions) that signal a change of thought in a sentence.

  • es (that)
  • vann (when)
  • fa (for)
  • funn (from/of)
  • zu (to)
  • mitt (with)
  • veyyich (about)
  • in (in)
  • eb (before)
  • zvishich (between)
  • un (see below)

There may be other words, but these are the most common in Pennsylvania Dutch.

Why is this important? Just as in English, Pennsylvania Dutch is a V2 (verb-second) language. That means that the second word in a sentence tends to be a verb.

Ich gleich broht. (I like bread.)

However, when a sentence contains more than one thought, the first verb in the new thought jumps to the end of the thought. The Deitsh words listed above make it easier to spot the start of a new thought. Knowing this will help you put the verbs in the second and any following thoughts in the correct order.

un (sometimes)

Un also signals a change of thought.

But not when simply separating multiple items (as in: mich un dich (me and you)).

Remember when it comes to un and verb order:

  • When un glues 2 separate sentences together that could stand on their own that are within a single sentence…
    || EN: It has been a long week and I am looking forward to a break.
  • … the first thought after un starts the verb order over again as if it were a new sentence.