*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.
ach—oh
aenti—aunt
appeditlich—delicious
bedauerlich—sad
bopli—baby
bruder—brother
bruders—brothers
bu—boy
buwe—boys
daadi—grandpa
daadihaus/dawdy haus—grandparents’ house
daed—father
danki/danke—thank you
dat—dad
dochder—daughter
Englischer—English or non-Amish
fraa—wife
freind—friends
freinden—friends
froh—happy
gern gschehne—you’re welcome
Gmay—church district, community
Gott—God
gut—good
haus—house
Ich liebe dich—I love you
jah—yes
kaffi—coffee
kapp—prayer covering, cap, woman’s head covering
kind—child
kinner—children
lieb—love
liewe—love, a term of endearment
maedel—girl, young woman
mamm—mom
mammi—grandma
mann—husband
mei—my
mudder—mother
narrisch—crazy
nee—no
onkel—uncle
rumspringa—period of running around
schee—pretty
schweschder—sister
suh—son
schweschder—sister
sohn—son
Was iss letz?—What’s wrong?
wunderbaar—wonderful
ya—yes