מיסט
mist/mɪst/neuter
The English word garbage is translated into Yiddish as מיסט (mist). Wiktionary also lists אָפּפֿאַל (opfal).
Meaning: waste material (noun)
Ways to say it
| Yiddish | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| מיסט | mist | /mɪst/ | neuter |
| אָפּפֿאַל | opfal | masculine |
The term refers to waste material. While it can be used for general garbage, it is more literally used to refer to manure or dung. This connection makes it a common way to insult someone's smell or character.
Which one should you use?
מיסט is a common term that can carry the connotation of manure or dung. In contrast, אָפּפֿאַל is a more formal or technical term for waste material.
How does it change in a sentence?
מיסט is a neuter noun. אָפּפֿאַל is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /mɪst/.
Did you know?
- In Yiddish, the word אָפּפֿאַל is constructed from the prefix אָפּ meaning 'off' and the root פֿאַל meaning 'fall', literally describing material that has fallen off.
- Using מיסט in a formal setting would be considered a significant social blunder because of its association with dung.
- The Yiddish word מיסט shares its ancient roots with the Dutch word 'mest', which also means manure.
Examples in context
- דו שמעקסט מיט מיסט.You smell like garbage.This sentence shows how to describe someone smelling like מיסט.Tatoeba #11860312 by shekitten, translation #11859933 by shekitten
- מיסט אַרײַן, מיסט אַרויס.Garbage in, garbage out.This sentence uses מיסט in the common proverb 'Garbage in, garbage out'.Tatoeba #9929099 by shekitten, translation #3387141 by CK
- טאָם איז אַ מיסט־קלײַבער.Tom is a garbage man.This sentence shows the use of מיסט in the occupation of a garbage man.Tatoeba #13931964 by rul, translation #11977019 by shekitten
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Menachem and Sarah are cleaning the kitchen.
- מנחם Menahemשרה, נעמען דעם מיסט ביים טיר.Sara, nemen dem mist baym tir.Sarah, take the garbage by the door.
- שרה Saraאיז דער מיסט שוין פֿול?iz der mist shoyn ful?Is the garbage already full?
- מנחם Menahemיאָ, עס איז פֿול ביז אויבן.yo, es iz ful biz oybn.Yes, it is full to the top.
- שרה Saraאיך וועל עס פֿאַרהערן איצער.ikh vel es farheren itser.I will take it out now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “garbage” translations and entries מיסט, אָפּפֿאַל, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אָפּפֿאַל, מיסט, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
