ווײַב

Yiddish

Etymology

From Old High German wīb, related to Old Saxon wīf (whence Low German Wief), Middle Dutch wijf (whence Dutch wijf), Old English wīf (whence English wife), Old Norse víf (whence Common Scandinavian viv). Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *wībą.

Pronunciation

• (YIVO, Northeastern) IPA^(key): /vaɪ̯b/
• (Poylish) IPA^(key): /vaːb/

Noun

ווײַב • (vayb) f or n, plural ווײַבער (vayber), diminutive ווײַבל (vaybl)

1. wife
2. woman

Usage notes

• Neuter in Standard Yiddish, but feminine in most dialects. It is sometimes considered less respectful and more informal than פֿרוי (froy).

Derived terms

• ווײַבלעך (vayblekh)
• ווײַבערטײַטש (vaybertaytsh)
• ווײַבערניק (vaybernik)
• ווײַבערש (vaybersh) / ווײַבעריש (vayberish)
• ווײַבערשול (vaybershul)
• קעפּסווײַב (kepsvayb)