כאַלט

Yiddish

Alternative forms

• כײַ וואָלט (khay volt), כײַוואָלט (khayvolt), נעכײַ וואָלט (nekhay volt), ניכײַ וואָלט (nikhay volt), ניכײַבי וואָלט (nikhaybi volt)

Etymology

Blend of Ukrainian хай (xaj), неха́й (nexáj) or Belarusian няха́й (njaxáj) +‎ וואָלט (volt).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /χaɫt/

Verb

כאַלט • (khalt)

1. (dialectal, Northeastern) to wish, if only

   כאַלט איך האָבן געלט!

   khalt ikh hobn gelt!

   If only I had money!

   כאַלסטו אַליין זען!

   khalstu aleyn zen!

   If you would only see for yourself!

Usage notes

This is an auxiliary verb that does not inflect, except the contraction כאַלסטו (khalstu). It precedes the past participle to form a subjunctive/conditional mood.

References

• Uriel Weinreich (1955) Yiddish Blends with a Slavic Element, WORD, 11:4,604
• Astravux, Aljaksandar (2008) “xalt”, in Idyš-bjelaruski slóŭnik [Yiddish–Belarusian Dictionary], Minsk: Mjedisónt, →ISBN, page 864