How to Say "Please" in Yiddish

ביטע

bite/ˈbɪtə/

The Yiddish word for 'please' is ביטע (bite).

ביטע is used as a polite interjection to make requests, serving the same function as the English 'please'.

Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)

How does it change in a sentence?

While it is grammatically an imperative, it is used as a polite interjection equivalent to the English 'please' when making requests.

The romanization is bite and the IPA is /ˈbɪtə/.

While English speakers use 'please' to start or end a sentence, a Yiddish speaker might use ביטע as a standalone response to say 'you are welcome' after someone says 'thank you'.
Yiddish speakers often use ביטע in a sarcastic or impatient tone to express disbelief, similar to how an English speaker might say 'Please!' when rolling their eyes.
The word ביטע stems from a root meaning 'to pray' or 'to beg', reflecting a historical culture of humble petitioning.

ביטע דערמאן מיר צו אריינגעבען דעם פאפיר.
Please remind me to turn in the paper.
This sentence shows how to use ביטע when asking someone to remind you of something.
Tatoeba #2401835 by negativeclock, translation #247134 by CK
ביטע ברענג נישט קיין משקא אינעם סטאדיום.
Please don't bring alcoholic beverages into the stadium.
This sentence demonstrates using ביטע to make a request regarding what is allowed in a stadium.
Tatoeba #4728752 by negativeclock, translation #4662821 by CK
ביטע בלויז זאג מיר וואס עס איז וואס דו ווילסט טאן.
Please just tell me what it is you want to do.
This sentence illustrates the use of ביטע when asking for information.
Tatoeba #4730405 by negativeclock, translation #2031566 by CK
10 more sentences on Tatoeba

Sarah is asking Isaac for help in the kitchen.

שרה Sara

יצחק, ביטע העלף מיר מיט דעם טיש.
Yitzhok, bite help mir mit dem tish.
Isaac, please help me with this table.
יצחק Yitzchak

יא, איך קום שוין.
Ya, ikh kum shoyn.
Yes, I'm coming.
שרה Sara

ביטע ברענג אויך דעם ברעט.
Bite breng oykh dem bret.
Please bring the board as well.
יצחק Yitzchak

נישט א פראבלעם, שרה.
Nisht a problem, Sarah.
No problem, Sarah.

Sources

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