My Grandfather's Yiddish Sayings
Here are some great Yiddish saying that both of my grandfathers used to
tell me, and others ones I've collected, too!
Do you know any others? E-mail me at (morgan@westegg.com) and let me know!!!
What did your grandparents used to tell you???
If you're going to eat pork, eat the best kind (Ez men est khazer zol rinen ariber der bord.) New! One of our favorites! Also translated as, if you're going to eat pork, get it all over your beard. That which is practiced in youth will be pursued in old age. (Tsu vos men iz gevoynt in der yugnt, azoy tut men oyf der elter.) One of our favorites! Man plans and God laughs. (Mann tracht und Gott lacht) New! One of our favorites! A man is not honest simply because he never had a chance to steal New! One of our favorites! It never rose and it never flew (Es iz nit geshtoygen un nit gefloygen) New! One of our favorites! Figurative translation: It is bullshit! The girl who can't dance says the band can't play. (Az di ken nit tantsen, zogt zi az di klezmorim kenen nit shpilen.) One of our favorites! If you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep. One of our favorites! Troubles are easier to take with soup than without. One of our favorites! When a fool is silent, he too is counted among the wise. (Az a nar shvaygt, veyst men nit tsi er iz a nar oder a khokhem) One of our favorites! A schlemiel is a waiter who spills hot soup, and the schlimazel is the one who gets it in his lap. One of our favorites! Surrounding yourself with dwarfs does not make you a giant Tsuris (trouble) is what you get from children. Naches (joy) is what you get from grandchildren A strange fool is laughable, but your own fool is shameful. (A fremder nar iz a gelekhter, an eygener a shande.) A snake deserves no pity. A fault-finder complains even that the bride is too pretty. A man is not old until his regrets take the place of his dreams. A meowing cat can't catching mice. (A katz vos m'yavket ken kain meiz nit chapen) One who has the reputation of an early riser may safely lie in bed until noon. If you don't want to get old, hang yourslef when you're young (Az me vil nit vern alt, zol men zikh yingerheyt oyfhengern.) New! Just because you can talk, it doesn't mean you're making sense My Favorites | New additions Alphabetical order | Original Yiddish · My Favorites · New additions · Alphabetical order · Original Yiddish |