אַ דאַנק
/a ˈdaŋk/
In Yiddish, thank you is expressed as אַ דאַנק. Wiktionary also lists אַ דאַנק דיר and שכּ׳ח (shkoyekh).
Meaning: an expression of gratitude (intj)
Ways to say it
| Yiddish | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| אַ דאַנק | /a ˈdaŋk/ (YIVO) | |
| אַ דאַנק דיר | /a ˈdaŋk dɪr/ (YIVO) | |
| שכּ׳ח | shkoyekh | [ˈʃkeɪ̯əχ] (Northeastern, narrow) [ˈʃkɔɪ̯əχ] (narrow) |
Another expression is שכּ׳ח (shkoyekh), which is used specifically when someone performs a mitzvah, such as a good deed or a religious commandment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase אַ דאַנק literally means a thanks.
Which one should you use?
Use אַ דאַנק דיר to thank one person informally and אַ דאַנק אײַך to thank multiple people or to address someone using the formal 'you'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use אַ דאַנק דיר for the singular/informal form and אַ דאַנק אײַך for the plural or formal form.
How do you pronounce it?
/a ˈdaŋk/
When do people say it?
The term שכּ׳ח is a common response used when someone has performed a mitzvah.
Did you know?
- The phrase שכּ׳ח is actually a shortened version of the Hebrew phrase יישר כּוח, which literally translates to 'may your strength be straight'.
- In some traditional Jewish communities, the response to שכּ׳ח is not 'you are welcome', but rather another blessing or a phrase returning the wish for strength.
- Because Yiddish is written from right to left, the contraction שכּ׳ח is an example of how Hebrew shorthand is integrated into the Yiddish writing system.
Examples in context
- אַ דאַנק אין פֿאָרויס.Thank you in advance.This sentence shows how to say 'Thank you in advance' using אַ דאַנק.Tatoeba #10665696 by shekitten, translation #29863 by CK
- אַ דאַנק פֿאַר דער עצה.Thank you for the advice.This sentence shows how to say 'Thank you for the advice' using אַ דאַנק.Tatoeba #11995044 by shekitten, translation #4474852 by AlanF_US
- „נאַ דיר.״ – „אַ דאַנק.״"Here you go." "Thank you."This sentence shows a simple exchange of 'Thank you' using אַ דאַנק.Tatoeba #10645550 by shekitten, translation #5832804 by OsoHombre
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yitzhak helps Chana carry a heavy bag.
- חנה Chanaאַ דאַנק פֿאַר דיין הילף, יצחק.a dank far dayn hilf, Yitzhok.Thank you for your help, Yitzhak.
- יצחק Yitzchakנייטס, קיין פּראָבלעם.nayts, keyn problem.No problem.
- חנה Chanaדו ביסט זייער גוט.du bist zayer gut.You are very kind.
- יצחק Yitzchakאַ דאַנק פֿאַר די וואָרטן.a dank far di vortn.Thank you for the words.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations and entries אַ דאַנק, אַ דאַנק דיר, שכּ׳ח, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אַ, דאַנק, שכּ׳ח, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
