גאָט זאָל בענטשן
got zol bentshn
The Yiddish phrase for "God bless" is גאָט זאָל בענטשן (got zol bentshn).
This phrase is used to express a wish for divine favor or protection upon someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "God shall bless", where got means God, zol means shall or may and bentshn means bless.
How do you pronounce it?
got zol bentshn
Did you know?
- In some Jewish communities, it is customary to avoid saying the word גאָט (God) out loud in casual conversation, substituting it with Gotel or other euphemisms.
- The Yiddish word for bless בענטשן is not Germanic in origin but comes from a Romance language root linked to the Latin 'benedico'.
- The phrase גאָט זאָל בענטשן can be used ironically in Yiddish to express exasperation or disbelief at someone's behavior.
Examples in context
- גאָט זאָל בענטשן דיין גאַנצע משפּחה.got zol bentshn dayn gentshe mishpokhe.God bless your whole family.
Example conversation
Miriam is thanking Berl for a kind gesture.
- מרים Miriamדאַנק איר פֿאַר דעם גסנער, בערל.Dank ir far dem gsner, Berl.Thank you for the gift, Berl.
- בערל Berelעס איז נישט קיין פֿרוביק.Es iz nisht keyn probik.It is nothing.
- מרים Miriamגאָט זאָל בענטשן דיין נשמה.Got zol bentshn dayn neshome.God bless your soul.
- בערל Berelאַהער, מרים, איך בין גליקלעך צו העלפֿן.Aher, Miriam, ikh bin gliklekh tsu helfn.Listen, Miriam, I am happy to help.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries בענטשן, גאָט, CC BY-SA 4.0.
