טײַערע
Tayere
The Yiddish word for sweetheart is טײַערע (Tayere).
טײַערע is used as a term of endearment similar to 'sweetheart' or 'darling'.
Meaning: a person very much liked or loved by someone (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is the feminine form of the adjective meaning 'dear' or 'precious'.
How does it change in a sentence?
טײַערע (Tayere) is the feminine form of the adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
Tayere
Did you know?
- While טײַערע means 'sweetheart', it literally translates to 'expensive' in Yiddish. This links the idea of something being precious or beloved to its monetary value.
- Yiddish has a vast array of endearments that avoid the word 'sweet', often focusing on 'gold' instead. For example, גאָלדערנע means 'golden one' and is used similarly to טײַערע.
- Yiddish speakers often add the diminutive suffix -ele to create טײַערעלע, making the word even smaller and sweeter. This is a common way to intensify affection in Yiddish.
Example conversation
A couple is talking in their kitchen.
- רייזל Reizelטײַערע, האָט איר געזען מײַן שליסל?Tayere, hot ir gezen mayn shlisel?Sweetheart, have you seen my key?
- מנחם Menahemיא, עס ליגט אויף דעם טיש.Ya, es ligt oyf dem tish.Yes, it is lying on the table.
- רייזל Reizelאַ דאַנק, מנחם!A dank, Menachem!Thank you, Menachem!
- מנחם Menahemגאָרנישט, רייזל.Gornisht, Reyzl.You're welcome, Reyzl.
