אַ דאַנק
a dankYiddish
In Yiddish you say אַ דאַנק (a dank) and in Hebrew you say תודה (toda). Both mean "thank you", and they are written with the same alphabet. It is also called אַ שיינעם דאַנק (a sheynem dank) and תודה רבה (toda raba).
Meaning: expression of thanks (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Yiddish | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| אַ דאַנק | a dank | Yiddish |
| אַ שיינעם דאַנק | a sheynem dank | Yiddish, warm |
| תודה | toda | Hebrew |
| תודה רבה | toda raba | Hebrew, very much |
In Israel תודה (toda) is the word everyone uses. אַ דאַנק (a dank) is heard in Yiddish speaking communities and in Yiddish classes.
Which one should you use?
Yiddish is a Germanic language and its דאַנק (dank) is close to German "Dank". Hebrew תודה (toda) is a Semitic word. For more thanks Yiddish says אַ שיינעם דאַנק (a sheynem dank) and Hebrew says תודה רבה (toda raba).
When do people say it?
Many Yiddish speakers also know Hebrew, so people sometimes use both words within the same conversation.
Did you know?
- The Hebrew phrase על לא דבר (al lo davar) literally means "for nothing" and is the standard reply to תודה (toda).
Examples in context
- אַ דאַנקa dankThank you. (Yiddish)
- אַ גרויסן דאַנקa groysn dankThank you very much. (Yiddish)
Example conversation
Moshe lends a book to Sarah in a library in Tel Aviv.
- Mosheהנה הספר שלךhine ha-sefer shelkhaHere is your book.
- Sarahתודה רבהtoda rabaThank you very much.
- Mosheעל לא דברal lo davarYou are welcome.
