שלאָגן
shlogn/ˈʃɫɔɡŋ̩/
The Yiddish verb for "to hit" is שלאָגן (shlogn).
The primary way to express the act of administering a blow is with the verb שלאָגן. Related nouns include שלאָג, which refers to a physical blow or a punch and שלאַגער, which refers to a success, particularly within the entertainment industry.
Meaning: to administer a blow (verb)
Which one should you use?
While שלאָגן is the verb for the action, there are specific nouns for different types of hits: Klop refers to a single hit or blow, whereas Petskeh is used informally to describe a gentle or playful pat.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃɫɔɡŋ̩/ (shlogn)
Did you know?
- In Yiddish, the word for a heart attack or a stroke is שלאָג, which literally means a 'hit' or 'blow'.
- The word שלאָגן is a cognate of the English word 'slay', as both descend from the Proto-Germanic root *slahaną.
- A klop is a quick, sharp hit, often used to describe knocking on a door. Unlike שלאָגן, it rarely implies violence or intent to harm.
Examples in context
- דו ווילסט שלאָגן דעם טעפּע?du vilst shlogn dem tepe?Do you want to hit the rug?
Example conversation
Berl and Reizel are arguing about their children playing.
- בערל Berelער האט געפרוּוירט שלאָגן זיין שוויסטער!er hot gefruvirt shlogn zayn shvister!He tried to hit his sister!
- רייזל Reizelבערל, ער איז נאָר אַ קינד.Berl, er iz nor a kind.Berl, he is only a child.
- בערל Berelמען דארף נישט שלאָגן קיינעם.men darf nisht shlogn keynem.One should not hit anyone.
- רייזל Reizelאיך וועל רעדן מיט אים, רייזל.ikh vel redn mit im, Reizel.I will speak with him, Reizel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hit” translations and entries שלאָגן, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries שלאָגן, CC BY-SA 4.0.
