זיידע
zeyde/ˈzɛɪ̯də/
The Yiddish word for 'grandpa' is זיידע (zeyde).
זיידע is used as an informal or affectionate way to refer to a grandfather, much like the English word 'grandpa'.
Meaning: grandfather (informal) (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is zeyde. The IPA is /ˈzɛɪ̯də/.
Did you know?
- The word זיידע is a loanword from Slavic languages, reflecting the deep historical influence of Eastern Europe on the Yiddish language.
- The word זיידע shares its roots with the Polish word dziad, which can sometimes mean a 'peasant' or an 'old man' rather than just a beloved grandfather.
- In some Yiddish-speaking communities, a person might use the term זיידע as a generic, affectionate nickname for any elderly man, even one who is not a relative.
Examples in context
- דער איז געווען מײַן זיידע.That was my grandpa.This sentence is useful for identifying a person as your זיידע.Tatoeba #11237737 by shekitten, translation #11021127 by shekitten
- דער זיידע עסט אַ מאַראַנץ.My grandpa is eating an orange.This sentence shows the word זיידע used in a description of an action.Tatoeba #12807957 by rul, translation #12807429 by rul
- מײַן טאַטע איז נישט אַזוי רײַך ווי מײַן זיידע.My dad isn't as rich as my grandpa.This sentence illustrates a comparison using the word זיידע.Tatoeba #9737809 by shekitten, translation #9736989 by DJ_Saidez
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah is showing Menachem an old photograph.
- שרה Saraזעט, דאָס איז מײַן זיידע.zet, dos iz mayn zayde.Look, this is my grandpa.
- מנחם Menahemער זיך זעט זייער גוט!er zikh zet zeyer gut!He looks very good!
- שרה Saraמײַן זיידע וואָנט אין ניו יאָרק.mayn zayde vont in nyu york.My grandpa lives in New York.
- מנחם Menahemדאָס איז שיין, שרה.dos iz sheyn, Sarah.That is nice, Sarah.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 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.
