וואַו
vav
The Yiddish word וואַו (vav) means "wow" in English.
Like in English, this is an interjection used to express sudden amazement, surprise or admiration.
Meaning: amazement (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
vav
Did you know?
- Some Yiddish speakers express a 'wow' of disbelief not with a word, but with a sharp intake of breath or a soft 'pf' sound.
- The letter וואַו used to spell the word is also the name of the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, though the interjection is not related to the letter's original meaning.
- While וואַו is common today, older generations might use וואָס! to express the same level of shock, which literally translates to 'what!'
Example conversation
Hannah and Abraham are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- חנה Chanaוואַו, קוק אויף דעם מאָלער!Wow, kuk oyf dem moler!Wow, look at this painter!
- אברהם Avrahamעס איז טאַטשירט, נאָר דאָס קלערן זענען פֿאַרבליבט.Es iz tachirt, nor dos klern zenen farblibt.It is striking, and the colors are vivid.
- חנה Chanaאיך האָב קיינמאָל נישט געזען אַזענערIkh hob keynmol nisht gezen azenerI have never seen anything like it.
- אברהם Avrahamדאָס איז אַ טאַלינטירטער מענש.Dos iz a talentirter mensh.This is a talented person.
