אַ זיסן פּסח
a zisn peysakh
To say "have a sweet passover" in Yiddish, use אַ זיסן פּסח (a zisn peysakh).
This phrase is used as a greeting to wish someone a happy and sweet Passover holiday.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "a sweet Passover".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase אַ זיסן פּסח, the adjective זיסן is in the masculine singular form to agree with the noun פסח.
How do you pronounce it?
a zisn peysakh
Did you know?
- The phrase is a linguistic hybrid, combining a Germanic adjective זיסן with a Hebrew noun פסח.
- The wish for a 'sweet' holiday is a recurring theme in Yiddish culture, most famously used during the New Year greeting אַ זיסן יאָר, where apples are dipped in honey to symbolize the sentiment.
- The word זיסן shares a common ancestor with the English word 'sweet', as both derive from the Proto-Germanic root *swōtijaną.
Examples in context
- זאָלסט האָבן אַ זיסן פּסח.Zolst hobn a zisn pesach.May you have a sweet Passover.
- איך ווינטש אייך אַ זיסן פּסח.Ikh vintsh aykh a zisn pesach.I wish you a sweet Passover.
- אַ זיסן פּסח צו דיר!A zisn pesach tsu dir!A sweet Passover to you!
Example conversation
Two friends meet on the street before the holiday.
- מנחם Menahemשרה, האָט אַ זיסן פּסח!Sarah, hot a zisn pesakh!Sarah, have a sweet Passover!
- שרה Saraאַ דאַנק, מנחם! אויך דיר.a dank, Menachem! oykh dir.Thank you, Menachem! You too.
- מנחם Menahemזענען איר שוין גרייט פֿאַרן חג?zenen ir shoyn greyt farn khog?Are you already ready for the holiday?
- שרה Saraיאָ, מיר זענען גרייט. אַ זיסן פּסח!yo, mir zenen greyt. a zisn pesakh!Yes, we are ready. Have a sweet Passover!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אַ, זיסן, פּסח, CC BY-SA 4.0.
