Ways to say it
| Yiddish | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ווייטיק | veytik | /ˈvɛɪ̯tɪk/ | masculine |
| פּײַן | payn | ||
| וויי | vey | /vɛɪ̯/ | masculine |
| יסורים | yesurim | plural | |
| מיחוש | meykhesh | masculine | |
| ווייעניש | veyenish | neuter |
While ווייטיק is a standard way to refer to an ache or bodily suffering, וויי can function as a noun meaning 'pain' or 'woe', but it is also frequently used as an interjection to express sudden physical pain or distress, similar to 'ow!' or 'alas!' The plural form יסורים carries a heavier, more formal connotation of 'afflictions' or 'tribulations' than the standard words for physical pain.
Which one should you use?
The masculine noun ווייטיק is a standard way to refer to an ache. In contrast, וויי can be used as a noun for 'pain' or 'woe' but is often used as an interjection. For a heavier, more formal sense of 'afflictions' or 'sufferings', use the plural form יסורים.
How does it change in a sentence?
ווייטיק is a masculine noun. ווייעניש is a neuter noun. יסורים is a plural form. מיחוש is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
veytik is pronounced /ˈvɛɪ̯tɪk/.
Did you know?
- The word פּײַן shares an ancient root with the Latin word 'poena', which is where the English word 'penalty' comes from.
- Yiddish uses the word יסורים to describe suffering, which is borrowed from Hebrew rather than Germanic sources.
Examples in context
- ווייטיק טוט נישט וויי.Pain don't hurt.This sentence illustrates the use of ווייטיק.Tatoeba #13141775 by rul, translation #13141774 by rul
- ליבע איז נישט נאָר וויי.Love isn't just pain.This sentence illustrates the use of וויי.Tatoeba #11532541 by shekitten, translation #11532538 by shekitten
- דער ווייטיק איז צוריקגעקומען.The pain returned.Tatoeba #10589710 by shekitten, translation #4501839 by CK
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Menachem tells Miriam about his injury.
- מנחם Menahemאיך האב אַ גרויסן ווייטיק אין דעם פֿיס.Ikh hob a groysn vaytik in dem fis.I have a great pain in my foot.
- מרים Miriamוואָס איז פּאַסירט, מנחם?Vos iz pasirt, Menachem?What happened, Menachem?
- מנחם Menahemדער ווייטיק ווערט שרעקלעך שטענדיק.Der vaytik vert shreklekh shtendik.The pain is becoming terribly constant.
- מרים Miriamדו דאַרפֿסט גיין צו דעם דאָקטאָר.Du darfst geyn tsu dem doktor.You must go to the doctor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pain” translations and entries ווייטיק, פּײַן, וויי, יסורים, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries וויי, ווייטיק, יסורים, פּײַן, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
