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Want to speak like a nosh Girl? Start here. From schlep to verklempt, these are the words that make Jewish culture so rich, funny, and impossible to translate.
(bah-SHEHRT)
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Meant to be. Destined. Fated. Often used to describe soulmates, but can apply to anything that feels like it was always meant to happen.
"Meeting her felt bashert."
(BUH-bee)
Grandmother. Often your biggest fan, whether you asked or not.
"Your bubbe thinks you look beautiful. She also thinks you need a sweater."
(BUH-buh-leh)
A term of endearment meaning sweetheart, darling, or dear one.
"Come here, bubbeleh."
(KHUTS-pah)
Audacity. Nerve. Confidence. The courage to speak up, stand out, or go after what you want.
"Starting a beauty brand with your sister takes chutzpah."
(geh-VAHLT)
An expression of surprise, frustration, alarm, or disbelief.
"Gevalt! What happened here?"
(HAY-mish)
Warm, welcoming, cozy, familiar, and comforting. A feeling of being at home and among your people.
"The dinner felt so heimish, nobody wanted to leave."
(kluhts)
Someone who is awkward, clumsy, or accident-prone.
"I dropped my phone, spilled my coffee, and tripped over nothing. I'm a klutz."
(kvel)
To beam with pride, usually because of someone you love.
"Your mom posting your accomplishments on Facebook? She's kvelling."
(kvech)
To complain, grumble, or vent.
"Everyone needs a good kvetch now and then."
(MAH-kher)
An influential person who gets things done.
"She's a real macher around here."
(MAH-zel tov)
Congratulations! Used to celebrate life's big and small milestones.
"New job? Engagement? Perfect winged liner? Mazel tov."
(mensh)
A genuinely good person. Kind, trustworthy, and honorable.
"Hold the door. Call your grandmother. Be a mensch."
(me-SHUG-eh-nuh)
Crazy, insane, or a foolish person.
"Four weather apps. Same forecast. Still checking. Meshugenah."
(mish-eh-GAHS)
Craziness, chaos, or general nonsense.
"I went in the store for one thing. Somehow, it became a whole mishegas."
(mish-PUH-kha)
Family. Not just your relatives, but your people.
"Friends can become mishpacha, too."
(NEB-ish)
A shy, timid, or socially awkward person.
"He was a total nebbish in high school."
(nosh)
To snack, nibble, or enjoy a little something.
"Come for the makeup. Stay for the nosh."
(noo)
A deceptively simple word meaning: Well? So? What's the update? Get to the point.
"Nu? How was the date?"
(oy vay)
An expression of frustration, disbelief, exhaustion, or exasperation.
"You left the house without sunscreen? Oy vey."
(plots)
To collapse from excitement, exhaustion, shock, or emotion.
"When she walked into the surprise party, her mother nearly plotzed."
(puhts)
A fool, idiot, or generally annoying person.
"Don't be a putz."
(shleh-MEEL)
A chronically unlucky or bumbling person.
"The schlemiel spills the soup."
(shlep)
To drag, carry, or haul something with great effort.
"I schlepped three bags and a coffee across Manhattan."
(shli-MAH-zel)
A person who has bad luck.
"The schlimazel is the one the soup gets spilled on."
(shmooz)
To chat, mingle, or make friendly conversation.
"She can schmooze with absolutely anyone."
(shtik)
A person's signature thing, routine, gimmick, or specialty.
"Humor is kind of our shtick."
(SHPEEL)
A long or well-practiced speech, story, or explanation. Often one you’ve heard before.
"You know the spiel. You’ve heard it since you were six."
(CHOCH-keh)
A small decorative object, trinket, keepsake, or knickknack.
"Her apartment is filled with vintage tchotchkes."
(ver-KLEMPT)
Overcome with emotion. So emotional you can barely speak.
"Watching your niece graduate might leave you verklempt."
(YEN-tah)
A busybody, gossip, or someone who always knows what's going on.
"She's not nosy. She's a yenta."
(YUHTS)
A fool, dope, or mildly clueless person. More eye roll than insult.
"Love him dearly. Wouldn’t trust him with the reservation. Yutz."
(ZAY-dee)
Grandfather. Frequently had advice, a story, and a better way to get there.
"Ask your zayde. He knows a guy."