זיידע
zeyde/ˈzɛɪ̯də/masculine
The Yiddish word for grandfather is זיידע (zeyde).
זיידע is a masculine noun used to refer to a grandfather from either side.
Meaning: grandfather (from either side) (noun)
Which one should you use?
The informal and affectionate term for grandfather is zeidele.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate possession, add the suffix –ס to the word זיידע, resulting in זיידעס.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzɛɪ̯də/
Did you know?
- The word זיידע shares a common Slavic ancestor with the Polish word dziad, which in modern Polish can sometimes refer to a 'beggar' or a 'crude old man', creating a stark difference in connotation.
- When using the diminutive zeidele to show affection, the word is often used not just for grandfathers, but as a way for adults to jokingly refer to themselves as being 'old men'.
- Because Yiddish was a diaspora language, a person from a Galician background might have used a different word for grandfather than someone from a Lithuanian background, even if both used the word זיידע in writing.
Examples in context
- מײַן זיידע קלײַבט ביכער.My grandfather collects books.This sentence shows how to use זיידע when describing a hobby.Tatoeba #8907469 by shekitten, translation #8819194 by shekitten
- דער זיידע עסט אַ מאַראַנץ.My grandfather is eating an orange.This sentence uses זיידע to describe an action.Tatoeba #12807957 by rul, translation #13487621 by rul
- אַליס זיידע איז געווען אַ ייִד.Ali's grandfather was Jewish.This sentence uses זיידע to describe a person's identity.Tatoeba #12984197 by rul, translation #12984141 by rul
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Berl and Miriam are looking at an old family photograph.
- בערל Berelווער איז דער מענטש אויף דעם פֿאָטאָ?Ver iz der mentsh oyf dem foto?Who is the person in this photo?
- מרים Miriamדאָס איז מײַן זיידע.Dos iz mayn zayde.This is my grandfather.
- בערל Berelער זיך זייער גוט אויס.Er zikh zeyer gut oys.He looks very good.
- מרים Miriamיאָ, מײַן זיידע איז געווען זייער שמייכלעך.Yo, mayn zayde iz geven zeyer shmeylekh.Yes, my grandfather was very smiley.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandfather” translations and entries זיידע, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries זיידע, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
