גנבֿ
ganev/ˈɡanəf/masculine
The Yiddish word for "thief" is גנבֿ (ganev). Wiktionary also lists גנבֿטע (ganevte).
Meaning: one who carries out theft (noun)
Ways to say it
| Yiddish | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| גנבֿ | ganev | /ˈɡanəf/ /ˈɡanəv/ |
masculine |
| גנבֿטע | ganevte | feminine |
The word is a noun used to describe a person who commits theft.
Which one should you use?
The masculine form is גנבֿ, while the feminine form is גנבֿטע.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on the gender of the person being described. Use the masculine form גנבֿ for a male thief and the feminine form גנבֿטע for a female thief.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is ganev. The IPA is /ˈɡanəf/.
Did you know?
- English speakers may recognize גנבֿ through the slang term 'ganef'. This loanword entered English primarily through Jewish immigrants in New York City.
- The word גנבֿ comes from the Hebrew root meaning 'to steal' or 'to creep'. This relates to the idea that a thief must move stealthily to avoid detection.
- The phrase 'to play the גנבֿ' can be used to describe someone who is being sneaky or secretive about a surprise, not just someone committing a crime.
Examples in context
- ער איז אַ גנבֿ.He is a thief.This sentence shows how to use the masculine form גנבֿ.Tatoeba #8082548 by shekitten, translation #301724 by Dorenda
- דו ביסט אַ גנבֿ.You're a thief.Tatoeba #8082551 by shekitten, translation #2218045 by CK
- זי איז אַ גנבֿטע.She's a thief.This sentence shows how to use the feminine form גנבֿטע.Tatoeba #8211833 by shekitten, translation #8211829 by shekitten
- 58 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yitzhak and Reizel are talking about a missing wallet.
- יצחק Yitzchakמיין געלט-באָקס איז פֿעלט!Mayn gelt-boks iz felt!My wallet is missing!
- רייזל Reizelהאָט אַ גנבֿ עס גענומען?Hot a gnev es genumen?Did a thief take it?
- יצחק Yitzchakאיך מיינ אַ גנבֿ איז געווען דאָ.Ih mayn a gnev iz geven do.I think a thief was here.
- רייזל Reizelמיר מוסן גיין צו דער פּאָליציי.Mir musn geyn tsu der politsey.We must go to the police.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thief” translations and entries גנבֿ, גנבֿטע, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries גנבֿ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
