שלאָף געזונט
shlof gezunt
The Yiddish phrase for "sleep well" is שלאָף געזונט (shlof gezunt).
שלאָף געזונט is used as a parting wish when someone is going to bed to wish them a good night's rest.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "sleep healthy". The word שלאָף (shlof) is the imperative singular form of the verb "to sleep".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase שלאָף געזונט, the word שלאָף is the imperative singular form of the verb "to sleep".
How do you pronounce it?
shlof gezunt
Did you know?
- The word געזונט is a cognate of the German word 'gesund', which is why it appears in the German sneeze response Gesundheit.
- The word געזונט (gezunt) is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'sound', appearing in the older English sense of being 'sound of body' or healthy.
- The word געזונט is used in several common Yiddish expressions to ward off bad luck, such as saying געזונט after a sneeze to protect the person's health.
Examples in context
- שלאָף געזונט.shlof gezunt.Sleep well.
Example conversation
Menachem and Miriam are saying goodnight before bed.
- מנחם Menahemגוטנאַכט, מרים, שלאָף געזונט.gutnokht, Miriam, shlof gezunt.Goodnight, Miriam, sleep well.
- מרים Miriamאַ יידישע גוטנאַכט צו דיר אויך.a yidishe gutnokht tsu dir oykh.A Jewish goodnight to you too.
- מנחם Menahemזענען מיר רעדי פאר מארגן?zenen mir redi far morgn?Are we ready for tomorrow?
- מרים Miriamיא, מיר וועלן רעדן מארגן.yo, mir veln redn morgn.Yes, we will talk tomorrow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries געזונט, שלאָף, CC BY-SA 4.0.
