לאָם
lom
The Yiddish word for "lamb" is לאָם (lom).
לאָם is a noun used to refer to a young sheep.
Meaning: young sheep (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is lom.
Did you know?
- When talking about food, a Yiddish speaker might use the word פֿליש meaning 'meat' rather than לאָם to avoid referring to the living animal during a meal.
- In historical Yiddish literature, the word for lamb was sometimes used metaphorically to describe a person who is particularly innocent or easily deceived.
- The word לאָם is a cognate with the German word 'Lamm'. While they sound similar, the Yiddish pronunciation shifts the vowel to a more open 'o' sound.
Example conversation
Reizel and Berl are visiting a farm together.
- רייזל Reizelבערל, קוק אויף דעם לאָם!Berl, kuk oyf dem lom!Berl, look at the lamb!
- בערל Berelער איז זייער זיס.Er iz zeyer zis.He is very sweet.
- רייזל Reizelער קען שפּיסן מיט אונז.Er ken shpilsn mit unz.He can play with us.
- בערל Berelלאָס עס גיין!Los es geyn!Let's go!
