Category: Confusing Words
gans vs goah
When should you use the Pennsylvania Dutch words gans and goah in a sentences. Let’s look at the differences between the two.
hohchi leit
What does the Pennsylvania Dutch word hohchi leit mean? hohchi leit (noun) = people who are not of a Deitsh culture or background. Opposite of Deitshi leit. What does hohchi leit not mean? This is not a negative term. The person is not talking down about the other person. It is simply a way to…
kocha and kucha
Cooking and cake—who doesn’t like both? But those words are easy to mix up; not just because they are spelled similarly, and are food-related, but they also sound similar. kocha = to cook Kocha is a verb meaning to cook. That means the ending changes depending on the pronoun that does the cooking. Pronunciation tip:…
What is the Pennsylvania Dutch Language?
Pennsylvania Dutch is a unique language that’s a blend of several other languages. Pennsylvania Dutch is spoken in areas of The United States and Canada. The Pennsylvania Dutch language goes by a variety of names—depending on who you ask. 💡 Since many native speakers do not have a need to name their own language, the…
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…
yau and yo
There’s more that one way to say ‘yes’ in Pennsylvania Dutch. Learn how and when to use ‘yau’ and ‘yo’.
