Hello,
It's me, your friendly neighborhood Jew. Like most American Jews today, I do not speak the entire Yiddish language. However, I do know a few phrases and they're delightful; so, I've decided to share them with the Gentile world. It'll also help people understand what I'm saying. Please note that spelling are mostly approximations/transliterations, and will vary from person to person.
Without further ado, allow me to enrich your vocabulary.
1. Chutzpah
Chutzpah is probably the most well-known Jewish/Yiddish concept. Chutzpah is difficult to translate directly, but the best I've heard is probably "sheer nerve." Chutzpah can be a good thing or a bad thing, but there usually is a level of shock or admiration associated with it.
2. Kismet
The Yiddish concept of fate.
3. Goy/Goyim
Non-Jew(s). Goy is singular and goyim is plural.
4. Bubbe
Bubble means grandmother.
5. Bubbelah
Not to be confused with bubbe, bubbelah is term of endearment, usually for someone significantly younger like a child or grandchild.
6. Zayde
Grandfather.
7. L'Chaim
A toast, literally meaning "to life."
8. Frum
Modest clothing or lifestyle.
9. Yid
An outdated term for a Jewish person.
10. Kibbutz
An Israeli farming commune.
11. Kvetch
To complain.
12. Futz
To twitch.
13. Schlep
To drag a bunch of stuff.
14. Schmutz
Dirt, a smudge.
15. (The whole) Megila
An expression meaning a very long or complete story.
16. Shtel
The communities that Jews in eastern Europe lived in. Unallowed to live in the villages with Gentiles, Jews lived in Shtels that were separate from the regular towns.
17. Schmatta
A rag.
18. Chai
Literally means life.
19. Kashrus/Kashrut
Kosher, permissible.
20. Maven
Someone who is very good at something.
21. Mazel Tov
Literally means good luck but used to say congradulations.
22. Yenta
A gossipy person or someone who likes to play matchmaker.
23. Nu
Well?
24. Oy
Oh.
25. Shande
A shame.
26. Challah
A braided egg-dough bread, eaten on many Jewish occasions.
27. Daven
To pray.
28. Kvell
To be proud.
29. Mesuganah
Crazy.
30. Bissel
A little bit.
31. Nosh
To eat.
32. Mensch
A good person.
33. Shul
Another word for synagogue.
34. Michpacha
Family.
35. Oneg
A luncheon eaten after a service.
36. Simcha
A happy event.
