באַשווינדלען
bashvindlen
To swindle in Yiddish is expressed as באַשווינדלען (bashvindlen). Wiktionary also lists אָפּנאַרן (opnarn).
Meaning: to defraud someone (verb)
Ways to say it
| Yiddish | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| באַשווינדלען | bashvindlen |
| אָפּנאַרן | opnarn |
The verb refers to defrauding someone. If you want to refer to an instance of swindling or a fraud itself, you can use the noun שווינדל.
Which one should you use?
באַשווינדלען implies a more formal or complex act of fraud. In contrast, אָפּנאַרן is a more common, colloquial way to say 'to fool' or 'to trick' someone.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
bashvindlen
Did you know?
- While באַשווינדלען means 'to swindle', it shares a root with the word for 'dizzy' or 'spinning', suggesting that the victim is left feeling lightheaded or confused.
- Because Yiddish culture often used humor to cope with hardship, calling someone an אָפּנאַר (a fool or a dupe) can sometimes be used as a playful, rather than insulting, term of endearment.
- In colloquial Yiddish, a 'professional swindler' is sometimes referred to as a שwindler, borrowing the English word but adapting it into Yiddish grammar.
Example sentences for Yiddish are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Avraham tells Chana about a bad business deal.
- אברהם Avrahamחנה, דער הענדלער האט מיך באַשווינדלט!Chana, der hendler hot mikh bashvindlt!Chana, the merchant swindled me!
- חנה Chanaוואס האט ער געטון, אברהם?vos hot er getun, Avraham?What did he do, Avraham?
- אברהם Avrahamער האט גענומען מיין געלט אָבער נישט געגעבן די ווארע.er hot genumen mayn gelt ober nisht gegben di vare.He took my money but didn't give the goods.
- חנה Chanaאיז נישט מעגלעך אז ער זאל דיך באַשווינדלען אזוי!iz nisht meglekh az er zol dikh bashvindln azoy!It is not possible that he should swindle you like that!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swindle” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
