Yiddish

Yiddish is a West Germanic language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews across Central and Eastern Europe. It uses the Hebrew alphabet and blends vocabulary from

Yiddish

Target Language	Yiddish
Base Language	English
Number of Skills	70
Crowns per Skill	6
Audio Available	Yes
Stories Available	No
Course Status	Active
Mascot Appearance	Duo

German, Hebrew, Aramaic, and various Slavic languages.

Yiddish on Duolingo helps learners explore both the language and culture of Ashkenazi Jewish communities. The course features common greetings, everyday vocabulary, traditional expressions, and pronunciation tips in the Eastern American dialect.

Course Info

• Language Family: West Germanic
• Alphabet: Hebrew script
• Duolingo Launch Date: April 6, 2021
• Pronunciation Style: Eastern (American Ashkenazi)
• Cultural Content: Jewish traditions, idioms, and food references
• Direction of Writing: Right to left

Course Structure

• Covers both modern and traditional vocabulary
• Introduces the Hebrew alphabet in context
• Includes audio recordings and pronunciation guidance
• Starts with basic phrases and grows in complexity
• Emphasizes conversational and cultural relevance

Fun Facts

• Many common English slang terms come from Yiddish, like klutz, nosh, schmooze, and chutzpah.
• The course includes references to Jewish holidays and foods like latkes and kugel.
• It's one of the few courses on Duolingo using a non-Latin alphabet.

See Also

• Hebrew
• Duolingo Stories
• Eddy (Mascot)
• Languages