Ways to say it
| Yiddish | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| טײַוול | tayvl | masculine | |
| שׂטן | sotn | masculine | |
| שד | shed | /ʃɛd/ | masculine |
| רוח | ruekh | /ˈʁʊ.əχ/ (Northeastern, YIVO) /ˈʁiː.əχ/ |
masculine |
| נישט־גוטער | nisht-guter | masculine |
The term refers to an evil creature or a devil.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase נישט־גוטער (nisht-guter) literally means 'not-good one'.
Which one should you use?
טײַוול (tayvl) is a general word for an evil creature. In contrast, שׂטן (sotn) is used specifically in religious or literary contexts to refer to Satan. If you are referring to a demon or a mythological spirit rather than the personified Devil, use שד (shed).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The formal term for devil in Yiddish is שטן. For a more colloquial and euphemistic approach to describing a bad person, you can use the phrase נישט־גוטער (nisht-guter). To describe someone or something as being mischievously or devilishly troublesome, the term בעל זלעזל is used informally.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of טײַוול (tayvl) is טײַוולן (tayvln). All the forms provided in this entry are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
tayvl
Did you know?
- In Yiddish folklore, the טײַוול is often portrayed not as an omnipotent ruler of hell but as a trickster who can be outsmarted by humans.
- The word שׂטן is rooted in the Hebrew term for 'adversary' or 'accuser' rather than just a fallen angel.
- The Yiddish word טײַוול (tayvl) is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'devil', both tracing back to the Latin 'diabolus'.
Examples in context
- דער שד איז טויט.The devil is dead.The sentence using שד is useful for stating that the devil is dead.Tatoeba #8800412 by shekitten, translation #8800467 by shekitten
- איך בין דער שׂטן.I'm the devil.The sentence using שׂטן is useful for saying 'I am the devil'.Tatoeba #8942819 by shekitten, translation #8942816 by shekitten
- דער שׂטן איז אַ וועווריק.The devil is a squirrel.The sentence using שׂטן is useful for a metaphorical comparison, stating the devil is a squirrel.Tatoeba #9586552 by shekitten, translation #2498208 by Hybrid
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Miriam and Avraham are talking about a scary story.
- מרים Miriamהאָסטו שוין געהערט די מעשע וועגן דעם טײַוול?Hostu shoyn gehert di meshe vegn dem tayvl?Have you already heard the story about the devil?
- אברהם Avrahamניין, וואס האט דער טײַוול געטאָן?Nayn, vos hot der tayvl geton?No, what did the devil do?
- מרים Miriamער האט פרובירט צו פירן מענשן אין רעשע.Er hot probirt tsu firn menshn in reshe.He tried to lead people into wickedness.
- אברהם Avrahamדאָס איז אַ זייער שרעקלעכע מעשע!Dos iz a zeyer shreklekhe meshe!That is a very scary story!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “devil” translations and entries טײַוול, שׂטן, שד, רוח, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries טײַוול, רוח, שׂטן, שד, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
