ייִנגל
yingl/ˈjɪŋɡɫ̩/neuter
The Yiddish word for boy is ייִנגל (yingl).
ייִנגל refers to a male child. In certain Eastern European Jewish communities, an informal term Boychik is used specifically to mean a little boy.
Meaning: male child (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term Boychik is associated with Eastern European Jewish communities.
How does it change in a sentence?
ייִנגל is a neuter noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is yingl and the IPA is /ˈjɪŋɡɫ̩/.
When do people say it?
In Eastern European Jewish communities, the informal term Boychik is used when referring to a little boy.
Did you know?
- Because of its diminutive nature, calling an adult man a ייִנגל can be seen as patronizing or belittling rather than just descriptive.
- The word ייִנגל shares a linguistic root with the German word Jung, meaning 'young'.
- Even though it refers to a male child, the grammar of ייִנגל is neuter rather than masculine.
Examples in context
- דער ייִנגל איז דאָ.The boy is here.This sentence shows the use of ייִנגל to indicate presence.Tatoeba #12360373 by rul, translation #12209493 by Miktsoanit
- דאָס ייִנגל איז דאַר.The boy is thin.This sentence uses ייִנגל to describe a boy's physical state.Tatoeba #11074790 by shekitten, translation #2002586 by bichodebola
- דאָס ייִנגל איז דאָרט.The boy is there.This sentence uses ייִנגל to indicate location.Tatoeba #9020337 by shekitten, translation #9019896 by shekitten
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A grandmother and grandfather are watching their grandson play.
- בערל Berelזעט, דאָס ייִנגל שפּילט מיט אַ באַל!zet, dos yingl shpilt mit a bal!Look, the boy is playing with a ball!
- חנה Chanaער איז אַ גוטער ייִנגל.er iz a guter yingl.He is a good boy.
- בערל Berelער איז זייער שמייקלעך.er iz zeyer shmeyklekh.He is very smiley.
- חנה Chanaיאָ, ער איז אַ זיסע ייִנגל.yo, er iz a zise yingl.Yes, he is a sweet boy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boy” translations and entries ייִנגל, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
