עופֿעלע
eyfeleneuter
The Yiddish word for baby is עופֿעלע (eyfele). If unsure, use עופֿעלע. Wiktionary also lists בייבי (beybi) and בובעלע (bubele).
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
Ways to say it
| Yiddish | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| עופֿעלע | eyfele | neuter |
| בייבי | beybi | |
| בובעלע | bubele | |
| זייגקינד | zeygkind | neuter |
| זויגלינג | zoygling | masculine |
The terms in this list refer to a very young human being. Depending on the context and the speaker's preference for traditional or modern vocabulary, different forms are used.
Which one should you use?
The form בייבי is a direct loanword from English and is used in modern, colloquial Yiddish speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word בובעלע functions as a diminutive form. The terms עופֿעלע and זייגקינד are neuter nouns, while זויגלינג is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
eyfele
Did you know?
- The word עופֿעלע literally translates to 'little bird' or 'little chicken', using a common metaphor for something small and fragile.
- While English speakers use 'baby' as a term of endearment for a partner, using the loanword בייבי in Yiddish typically maintains the literal meaning of an infant.
- While בייבי is a loanword from English, it is used in colloquial Yiddish to signal a more modern or secular identity.
Examples in context
- איך קען נישט מאכן קיין טומל. דער בייבי שלאפט.I cannot make noise. The baby is sleeping.This sentence shows the use of בייבי when describing a sleeping infant.Tatoeba #4272214 by negativeclock, translation #1725219 by Amastan
- איך בין אַן עופֿעלע.I'm a baby.This sentence shows the use of עופֿעלע to state one's identity as a baby.Tatoeba #8496670 by shekitten, translation #6575296 by Eccles17
- איך טראָג אַן עופֿעלע.I'm carrying a baby.This sentence shows the use of עופֿעלע when carrying a baby.Tatoeba #13013271 by rul, translation #13013074 by rul
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Miriam and Yitzhak are looking at a photo of a new family member.
- מרים Miriamזעט, דאָס איז דאָס נייע עופֿעלע!zet, dos iz dos naye ufele!Look, this is the new baby!
- יצחק Yitzchakער איז זייער זיס.er iz zeyer zis.He is very sweet.
- מרים Miriamיאָ, אן עופֿעלע איז תּאַמאַן.yo, an ufele iz taman.Yes, a baby is precious.
- יצחק Yitzchakאיך קען נישט וואַרטן צו זען אים.ikh ken nisht varten tsu zen im.I can't wait to see him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations and entries עופֿעלע, בייבי, בובעלע, זויגלינג, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries זויגלינג, עופֿעלע, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
