זײַ מיר מוחל
zay mir moykhl/ˌzaɪ̯ mɪʁ ˈmɔɪ̯χɫ̩/
The English phrase 'sorry' can be expressed in Yiddish using either זײַ מיר מוחל (zay mir moykhl) or עס טוט מיר לײַד.
Meaning: expression of regret or sorrow (intj)
Ways to say it
| Yiddish | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| זײַ מיר מוחל | zay mir moykhl | /ˌzaɪ̯ mɪʁ ˈmɔɪ̯χɫ̩/ (YIVO) /ˌzaɪ̯ mɪʁ ˈmeɪ̯χɫ̩/ (Northeastern) |
| עס טוט מיר לײַד | es tut mir layd |
Which one should you use?
The phrase זײַ מיר מוחל is used more like 'forgive me' or 'pardon me' when asking for forgiveness for a specific mistake.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is zay mir moykhl.
Did you know?
- In Yiddish culture, expressions of regret are often paired with the word מחל, which relates to the concept of 'waiving' a debt. Apologizing is framed as asking the other person to cancel a moral debt.
- Yiddish has a specific tradition of 'asking for forgiveness' during the period leading up to Yom Kippur. During this time, the phrase זײַ מיר מוחל is used far more frequently than in standard daily conversation.
- The grammar of זײַ מיר מוחל uses an imperative form, effectively telling the listener 'be forgiving to me'. This is a more active request than the passive English 'I am sorry'.
Examples in context
- עס טוט מיר לײַד אַז ער קען דיך נישט פֿאַרשטיין.I'm sorry that he can't understand you.
- זײַ מיר מוחל מײַן שלעכטן פֿראַנצייזיש.I'm sorry for my poor French.Tatoeba #11934885 by shekitten, translation #10115358 by shekitten
- זײַ מיר מוחל פֿאַרן צו שפּעט קומען.zay mir mokhl farn tsu shpet kumen.Forgive me for coming late.
Example conversation
Sarah accidentally bumps into Menachem in a store.
- שרה Saraזײַ מיר מוחל, מנחם, איך האָב דיך נישט געזען!Zay mir mukhl, Menakhem, ikh hob dikh nisht gezen!Forgive me, Menachem, I didn't see you!
- מנחם Menahemאַליין, שרה, עס איז קיין פֿראַבלעם נישט.Alayn, Sarah, es iz keyn problem nisht.It's okay, Sarah, it is no problem.
- שרה Saraאיך בין פֿאַרשפּרעט און אַ ביסל נער וואָס.Ikh bin farshpret un a bisl ner vos.I am distracted and a bit nervous.
- מנחם Menahemנימ אַטעם, אַלס איז אין אָרדנונג.Nim atem, als iz in ordnung.Take a breath, everything is in order.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sorry” translations and entries זײַ מיר מוחל, עס טוט מיר לײַד, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
