פֿאַרשטיין
farshteyn/faʁˈʃtɛɪ̯n/
To understand in Yiddish is פֿאַרשטיין (farshteyn).
The verb פֿאַרשטיין is used to describe the act of grasping the meaning of something or comprehending a concept.
Meaning: to grasp the meaning of (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
This literally suggests the idea of 'standing for' or 'standing over' a concept in a way that makes sense.
Which one should you use?
While פֿאַרשטיין is the verb 'to understand', the noun form for 'understanding' or 'comprehension' is פֿאַרשטאַנד.
How does it change in a sentence?
The second-person plural and third-person plural present tense of פֿאַרשטיין is פֿאַרשטענדט.
How do you pronounce it?
/faʁˈʃtɛɪ̯n/
Did you know?
- The slang word קאַפּירן used for 'getting it' is derived from the French word copier, which means 'to copy'.
- In Yiddish, the root שטיין means 'to stand', but when used as a noun, שטיין means 'stone'.
- The noun פֿאַרשטאַנד can be used to describe a person's actual IQ or mental capacity, effectively meaning 'brains'.
Examples in context
- מיר פֿאַרשטיין די ענינים.We understand the issues.This sentence demonstrates using פֿאַרשטיין to talk about understanding issues.Tatoeba #8646097 by shekitten, translation #5744247 by CM
- איך דאַרף דאָס פֿאַרשטיין.I need to understand that.This sentence shows the use of פֿאַרשטיין when expressing a need to understand something.Tatoeba #12885797 by rul, translation #12878279 by rul
- צי קענסטו פֿאַרשטיין טאָמען?Can you understand Tom?This sentence illustrates using פֿאַרשטיין in a question about understanding a person.Tatoeba #8137257 by shekitten, translation #7891542 by shekitten
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chana is explaining a difficult concept to Berel.
- חנה Chanaטאָן מיר פֿאַרשטיין וואָס איך זאָג?ton mir farshteyn vos ikh zog?Do you understand what I am saying?
- בערל Berelניין, איך קען נישט פֿאַרשטיין דאָס.neyn, ikh ken nisht farshteyn dos.No, I cannot understand this.
- חנה Chanaאיך וועל עס פֿאַרשטיין פֿאַר דיר נאכאמאל.ikh vel es farshteyn far dir nokhomol.I will make it understood for you again.
- בערל Berelיאָ, איצע פֿאַרשטיין איך עס!yo, itse farshteyn ikh es!Yes, now I understand it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “understand” translations and entries פֿאַרשטיין, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
