שמאטע
shmate
The Yiddish word for junk is שמאטע (shmate).
שמאטע is used to refer to miscellaneous items of little value. This applies both to actual old rags and to the metaphorical use of describing useless junk or worthless items. Additionally, the related form שמאַטערלעך can be used metaphorically to describe something that is worthless or junk-like.
Meaning: miscellaneous items of little value (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is shmate.
Did you know?
- While שמאטע means 'junk' or 'rag', it is also used as a biting insult to describe a person who lacks character or dignity, effectively calling them a 'doormat'.
- Using the diminutive form שמאַטערלעך shifts the meaning from mere 'junk' to something that is actually pathetic or pitiable.
- The word שמאטע shares a linguistic root with the German word 'Schmatte', but in Yiddish, it evolved to encompass a much broader range of 'worthless things' than in modern German.
Examples in context
- איך האב נישט קיין פלאץ פאר די שמאטע.ikh hob nisht keyn plats far di shmate.I have no room for the junk.
Example conversation
Hannah and Abraham are cleaning the attic together.
- חנה Chanaאברהם, קוק וויפיל שמאטע איז דא!Avraham, kuk viphil shmate iz do!Abraham, look how much junk is here!
- אברהם Avrahamזאלן מיר אלעס ווערפן?zaln mir ales vertfn?Should we throw it all away?
- חנה Chanaיא, עס איז אלעס נאר שמאטע.ya, es iz ales nor shmate.Yes, it is all just junk.
- אברהם Avrahamאיך גיי ברענגען דעם זאק.ikh gay brengen dem zak.I will go get the bag.
