עסן
esn/ɛsn̩/
The Yiddish verb for 'eat' is עסן (esn).
עסן is used to describe the act of eating a meal.
Meaning: eat a meal (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
In the present tense, the first-person singular form 'I eat' is איך עס.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is esn. The IPA is /ɛsn̩/.
Did you know?
- The verb עסן is a direct relative of the English word 'eat', as they both descend from the same ancient Germanic roots.
- In many Yiddish-speaking households, the concept of eating is deeply tied to hospitality, where a guest is often jokingly or warmly told to 'eat' even if they have already finished.
- In Yiddish, the word עסן functions as both a verb meaning 'to eat' and a noun meaning 'food' or 'a meal'.
Examples in context
- איך קען נישט עסן.I can't eat.This sentence shows how to express an inability to eat using עסן.Tatoeba #4325456 by negativeclock, translation #1951551 by CK
- איך קען נישט עסן מער.I can't eat any more.This sentence shows how to say one cannot eat any more using עסן.Tatoeba #3114782 by negativeclock, translation #31231 by CK
- צי עסן עס חיות?Do animals eat it?This sentence uses עסן to ask a question about whether animals eat something.Tatoeba #11767977 by shekitten, translation #10473468 by shekitten
- 95 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yitzhak and Miriam are deciding on lunch.
- יצחק Yitzchakוואו ווילסטו עסן היינט?Vu vilstu esn haynt?Where do you want to eat today?
- מרים Miriamאיך וויל עסן אין דעם רעסטוראַן.Ikh vil esn in dem restoran.I want to eat in that restaurant.
- יצחק Yitzchakאיז דאָס אַ גוטער אָרט צו עסן?Iz dos a guter ort tsu esn?Is that a good place to eat?
- מרים Miriamיאָ, יצחק, עס איז זייער טעם!Yo, Yitzhak, es iz zeyer tem!Yes, Yitzhak, it is very tasty!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry עסן, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries עסן, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
