ab im kopp: off in the head; crazy
ach: oh
aenti: aunt
appeditlich: delicious
bedauerlich: sad
boppli: baby/babies
brot: bread
bruder: brother
bruders: brothers
bruderskinner: nieces/nephews
bu: boy
buwe: boys
daadi/daddi: grandfather
daddi’s haus: grandparents’ house
daed: father
danki: thank you
dat: dad
dochder: daughter
dochdern: daughters
dummkopf: stupid
dummle: hurry
Englisch/Englischer: English or non-Amish
fra/fraa: wife
freind: friend
freinden: friends
froh: happy
gegisch: silly
geh: go
gern gschehne: you’re welcome
Gmay: church district
Gott/Gotte: God
Gotte’s wille: God’s will
grandkinner: grandchildren
groossdaadi/grossvatter: grandpa
grossmutter: grandmother
guder daag: good-bye
gude mariye: good morning
gut: good
gut nacht: good night
haus: house
Ich liebe dich: I love you
in lieb: in love
jah: yes
kaffee/kaffi: coffee
kapp: prayer covering or cap
kichli: cookie
kichlin: cookies
kinner: children
krank: ill
kuche: cake
kuchen: cakes
kumm: come
liewe: love, a term of endearment
maed: young women, girls
maedel: young woman
mamm: mom
mammi: grandmother
mann: husband
mei: my
mudder: mother
naerfich: nervous
narrisch: crazy
nee/nein: no
nix: nothing
onkel: uncle
Ordnung: unwritten rules for Amish living
rumspringa: running-around period when a teenager turns sixteen years old
schee: pretty
schmaert: smart
schtupp: family room
schweschder/schwester: sister
schweschdere/schwesters: sisters
seltsam: weird
sohn/suh: son
was iss letz: what’s wrong
Wie geht’s: How do you do? or Good day!
wunderbaar/wunderbarr: wonderful
ya: yes
yer: your
yerselves: yourselves
yung: young
youngie: teen to young adult
*The German dialect spoken by the Amish is not a written language and varies depending on the location and origin of the settlement. These spellings are approximations. Most Amish children learn English after they start school. They also learn high German, which is used in their Sunday services.