שווינדלער
shvindlermasculine
The Yiddish word for swindler is שווינדלער (shvindler).
שווינדלער refers to a person who swindles, cheats or defrauds.
Meaning: person who swindles, cheats or defrauds (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is שווינדלער, while the feminine form of the noun is שווינדלערע.
How do you pronounce it?
shvindler
Did you know?
- The word shares a linguistic connection with the German verb 'schwindeln', which describes a feeling of dizziness or vertigo.
- In Yiddish culture, a שווינדלער is often distinguished from a 'thief' because the swindler uses charm and wit rather than force or stealth.
- The root of שווינדלער is the verb שווינדלן, which can also mean 'to vanish' or 'to fade away'.
Examples in context
- טאָם איז אַ שווינדלער.Tom is a swindler.This sentence is useful for identifying a person as a שווינדלער.Tatoeba #12833047 by rul, translation #12833052 by rul
- ער איז אַ גרויסער שווינדלער.er iz a groyser shvindler.He is a big swindler.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a suspicious business deal.
- רייזל Reizelהאָט ער דיר פאַרוואָנדט דעם פּריז?hot er dir farvandt dem priz?Did he change the price on you?
- יצחק Yitzchakיאָ, ער איז אַ שווינדלער.yo, er iz a shvindler.Yes, he is a swindler.
- רייזל Reizelדו זאָלסט נישט קויפן ביי אים.du zolst nisht koyfn bay im.You should not buy from him.
- יצחק Yitzchakאיך וועל שוין נישט גיין דאָרטן.ikh vel shoyn nisht geyn dortn.I won't go there anymore.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swindler” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
