Talk Yiddish to Me: A Beginner’s Guide to Words Your Bubbe Definitely Used

Yiddish isn’t just a language—it’s a vibe. A spicy blend of German, Hebrew, and Slavic influences, it’s the soundtrack of Bubbe’s kitchen, your uncle’s sarcastic punchlines, and now, your new favorite Mazel Tees design. Here are a few essentials to toss around at your next bagel brunch or TikTok rant.

Schlep (shlep)

Verb. To drag yourself or your stuff from place to place, usually with a sigh.
Example: “I had to schlep five tote bags of Trader Joe’s snacks up three flights of stairs.”
👉 Shop the Schlep Tote and make carrying your chaos chic.

Kvetch (kveh-tch)

Verb. To complain. Loudly. Passionately. Often about bagels not being as good as they used to be.
Example: “He can kvetch about the weather even in San Diego.”
👉 Shop the Licensed to Kvetch Bumper Sticker.

Mensch (men-sh)

Noun. A genuinely good person. The kind you trust to water your plants and not steal your Wi-Fi.
Example: “She brought soup when I was sick. Total mensch.”
👉 Want to be a mensch? Start with A Real Mensch Tee from Mazel Tees.

Oy Gevalt (oy guh-valt)

Exclamation. The Yiddish equivalent of “Oh my god, are you serious right now?!”
Example: “Oy gevalt, the schmear is $8 extra?!”
👉 We’ve got mugs for that kind of morning

Wrapping It Up (Like a Bagel with Lox)

Yiddish words don’t just describe life—they enhance it. They’re funny, dramatic, and just the right amount of salty… kinda like our designs. So next time you kvetch, schlep, or nosh—do it in style with Mazel Tees.