The Amish and Conservative Mennonites speak a German dialect called Pennsylvania Dutch. Start with the words below and you’ll be having schpass in no time!
FREE AMISH NEWSLETTER
Kannst Du Deitsch Schwetza? – Can you speak Dutch?
kapps—caps
kumme—come
schpass—fun
jah—yes bruder—brother
absatz—stop
daremlich—dizzy
dumm—dumb
baremlich—terrible
boppli—baby
lappich buwe—silly boy
maedel—girl
schtinke—stink
daed—dad
mamm—mom
frosch—frog
Ich verschreck net graad—I don’t frighten easily.
oier—eggs
pannekuche—pancakes
hungerich—hungry
busslin—kittens
katze—cats
Is fattgange—Go away.
melke—milk
lecherich—ridiculous
hochmut—pride
windle—diapers
kaes—cheese
meh—more
hundli—puppy
Voll schpaas—Very funny.
buch—book
ach—oh
appenditlich—delicious
aldi—girlfriend
Guder mariye schlofkopp—Good morning sleepyhead.
grank—sick
schmaert—smart
hund—dog
pescht—pest
baremlich—terrible
schlang—snake
wunderbaar—wonderful
narrish—crazy
umgerennt—upset
koppweh—headache
Common Phrases:
Wer lauert an der Wand, Heert sie eegni Schand.—-If you listen through the wall, you will hear others recite your faults.
Kannscht du Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch schwetzer?—Can you speak Pennsylvania Dutch?
Sie scheie sich vun haddiArewat.—-They shrink from hard work.
Sis alles hendich eigericht.—-All is handily arranged.
Die Zeit fer in Bett is nau!—-The time to go to bed is now.
Duh’s uff die Rechning!—-Put it on the bill.
Sie Batt nemme duhn ich gern.—-I’ll willingly take his part.
Sis unvergleichlich hees dohin.—-It’s terribly hot in here.
Der Siffer hot zu viel geleppert.—-The drunkard had just sipped too much.
Alle Daag rumhersitze macht em faul.—-Sitting all day makes one lazy.
Wann der Hund dich uff der Buckel legt, gebt’s Schnee.—-When the dog lies on his back, there will be snow.
Ferwas bischt allfatt so schtarrkeppich?—-Why are you so stubborn?
Der Keenich muss mer erhehe.—-On must exalt the King.
Sie hot die Kinner hiede misse.—-She had to mind the children.
Er kann vun wunners net saage.—Speech fails him.
Nix hot sich verregt, net jewens en Mause.—-Nothing stirred, not even a mouse.
En Schtich in Zeit is neine wart schpaeder naus. – A stitch in time, saves nine.
Mer sott em sei Eegne net verlosse; Gott verlosst die Seine nicht.—One should not abandon ones own; God does not abandon his own.
Er is en faehicher schreiner.— He is an able carpenter.
Er hot en iwwerflissich lewe gfaahre.—He lived the abundant life.
Ich hab en aker grummbiere geblanst.—I planted an acre of potatoes.
Mir gleiche die Amische brieder bsuche.—We enjoy visiting our Amish brethren.
Sell kann ennichpepper duh.—Anyone can do that
Er hot net der glaawe.—He doesn’t keep up the faith.
Gott segen eich.—God bless you.
Mir hen Englischer bsuch ghadde.—We had non Amish visitors.
Es gebt viele schwatze kieh, awwer sie gewwe all weissi millich.—There are many black cows, but they all give white milk. – Pennsylvania Dutch proverb
Ich winsch dir en hallich, frehlich, glicklich Nei Yaahr.–I wish you a happy, joyful, prosperous New Year.
Nau is awwer bsll Zert!—Now it’s about Time!
Es waarken maulvoll gat.—There was nothing good about it.
Sis niemand do.—There’s nobody here.
Er harricht gut, awwer er foligt schlecht.—He hears well, but obeys poorly.
Ich hab nix dagege.—I don’t object.
Er is weenich ad.—He’s a little off in the head.
Ich saag dank am disch.—I offer thanks at the table.
Mer muss uff sich selwer achtgewwe.—One has to take care of himself.
Was der schinner is letz?—What in the world is wrong?
Er is ganz ab.—He’s quite out of his mind.
Ich eeger ihn so viel.—I owe his so much.
Sie hot sich widder verschlofe.—She overslept again.
Sie hot die hosse aa.—She wears the pants in the family.
Sell is nix as baeffzes.—That is nothing but trifling talk.
Setz der disch.—Set the table.
Die sunn is am unnergeh.—The sun is setting.
Die faasnacht kummt hinneno.—Slow as molasses in january.
