שטאָלץ
shtolts
The Yiddish word for pride is שטאָלץ (shtolts).
שטאָלץ refers to the quality or state of being proud. It can also describe an inordinate or unreasonable conceit regarding one's own talents, beauty, wealth or rank.
Meaning: quality or state of being proud, inordinate self-esteem, an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, rank etc. (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
shtolts
Did you know?
- The word שטאָלץ shares a root with the English word 'stand'. This reflects an ancient idea that pride is physically expressed by standing stiffly or stately.
- Because שטאָלץ can imply an unreasonable conceit, using it to describe someone's character might sound more like an insult than a compliment in a traditional Yiddish context.
- The Yiddish language has several distinct words for 'pride' depending on whether the pride is a virtue or a sin, whereas שטאָלץ can cover both.
Examples in context
- אַ פֿריילעכן שטאָלץ־פֿעסטיוואַל!Happy Pride!This sentence is useful for expressing a greeting during a Pride festival using שטאָלץ.Tatoeba #10075562 by shekitten, translation #8808707 by shekitten
- פֿלאָרידע פֿאַרווערט דעם געי־שטאָלץ און דאָך שפּאַרן זיך די רעפּובליקאַנער אײַן, אַז זיי זענען די פּאַרטיי פֿון פֿרײַהייט.Florida is banning Gay Pride, yet the Republicans still insist they are the party of freedom.This sentence illustrates the use of שטאָלץ in a political context regarding Gay Pride.Tatoeba #12823161 by rul, translation #11697750 by shekitten
Example conversation
Two people discuss a friend's arrogance.
- בערל Berelהאָט איר געזען ווי ער רעדט?hot ir gezen vi er redt?Did you see how he speaks?
- רייזל Reizelיאָ, זײַן שטאָלץ איז פֿאַרשפּרינגער.yo, zayn shtolts iz farshpringer.Yes, his pride is excessive.
- בערל Berelער מיינט אַז ער איז בעסער פֿון אַלעמען.er maynt az er iz beser fun alemn.He thinks he is better than everyone.
- רייזל Reizelדאָס איז פֿשוט אַרגאַנאַיזירטער שטאָלץ.dos iz fpsht organizeder shtolts.That is simply organized pride.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry שטאָלץ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries שטאָלץ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
