אַ גוטן אוונט
a gutn ovnt
אַ גוטן אוונט (a gutn ovnt) is the Yiddish way to say "good evening".
This phrase is used as an interjection to greet someone during the evening hours.
Meaning: greeting said in the evening (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the indefinite article אַ (a), the adjective גוטן (good) and the noun אוונט (evening).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective גוטן takes the -n ending to agree with the masculine noun אוונט in the accusative case following the indefinite article אַ.
How do you pronounce it?
a gutn ovnt
Did you know?
- If you were greeting someone in a very religious Yiddish context, you would likely swap this secular phrase for 'a gutn shabes' on the Sabbath evening.
- The word אוונט (ovnt) shares an unexpected kinship with the English word 'even', specifically in the sense of 'eventide'.
- Unlike English, where 'Good evening' is often used as both a greeting and a way to say goodbye, in Yiddish, you would more likely switch to a 'goodbye' phrase once the conversation concludes.
Examples in context
- אַ גוטן אוונט.a gutn ovnt.A good evening.
- איך וויל אײַך ווינטשן אַ גוטן אוונט.ikh vil aykh vintshn a gutn ovnt.I wish you a good evening.
- אַ גוטן אוונט צו אײַך אלע.a gutn ovnt tsu aykh ale.A good evening to you all.
Example conversation
Berel and Reyzl meet on the street at night.
- בערל Berelאַ גוטן אוונט, רייזל!A gutn ovnt, Reyzl!Good evening, Reyzl!
- רייזל Reizelאַ גוטן אוונט, בערל.A gutn ovnt, Berel.Good evening, Berel.
- בערל Berelוואו גייסטו?vu geystu?Where are you going?
- רייזל Reizelאיך גייים אַהיים.ikh gayim aheim.I am going home.
