A collection of useful phrases in Pennsylvania German / Dutch (Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch), a variety of Pennsylvania German spoken in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana in the USA, and in Ontario in Canada
See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.
Abbreviations: inf = informal, frm = formal
| English | Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch (Pennsylvania German/Dutch) |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Willkumm |
| Hello (General greeting) | Gude(r) Daag |
| How are you? | Wie geht's? (How it's going?) Wie bischt du? (How are you today?) Wie bischt du heit? (How are you today?) Wie fiehlscht? (How do you feel?) |
| Reply to 'How are you?' | Ich bin gut (I'm good/well) Es geht gut (It's going good/well) Ich bin zimmlich schlecht (I'm not doing so well) |
| Long time no see | |
| What's your name? | Was iss dei Naame? |
| My name is ... | Mei Naame is(s) ... Ich ghees' ... |
| Where are you from? | Wu iss du her? |
| I'm from ... | Ich kumm vun ... |
| Pleased to meet you | Ich bin froh dich zu aadreffe |
| Good morning (Morning greeting) |
Gude(r) Mariye |
| Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) |
Gude(r) Nammidaag Gude(r) Nummidaag |
| Good evening (Evening greeting) |
Gut'n Owed Guder Owet/Owed |
| Good night | Gude nacht |
| Goodbye (Parting phrases) |
Sehn dich widder (See you again) Sehn dich schpeeder (See you later) Sei gut! (Be good!) Mach's gut! (Make it good!) Bis widder (Until (we meet) again) Bis schpeeder (Until later) |
| Good luck! | |
| Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking) |
|
| Have a nice day | |
| Bon appetit / Have a nice meal |
Ich saag dank am disch (I offer thanks at the table) |
| Bon voyage / Have a good journey |
|
| Do you understand? | |
| I understand | |
| I don't understand | |
| Yes | Ya |
| No | Nee |
| Maybe | |
| I don't know | |
| Please speak more slowly | |
| Please say that again | |
| Please write it down | |
| Do you speak English? | |
| Do you speak Pennsylvania German? | Kannscht du Deitsch schwetze? Kannscht du Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch schwetzer? |
| Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?') |
Ya, Ich kann bissel Deitsch schwetze |
| Speak to me in Pennsylvania German | |
| How do you say ... in Pennsylvania German? | |
| Excuse me | |
| How much is this? | |
| Sorry | Es dutt mer Leed |
| Please | |
| Thank you | Danki Denki |
| Reply to thank you | |
| Where's the toilet / bathroom? | |
| This gentleman will pay for everything | |
| This lady will pay for everything | |
| Would you like to dance with me? | |
| Do you come here often? | |
| I miss you | |
| I love you | Ich liebe dich |
| Get well soon | |
| Go away! | |
| Leave me alone! | |
| Help! | |
| Fire! | Feier! |
| Stop! | Rug! |
| Call the police! | |
| Christmas greetings | Frehlicher Grischtdaag En frehlicher Grischtdaag |
| New Year greetings | En hallich Nei Yaahr Ich winsch dir en hallich, frehlich, glicklich Nei Yaahr (I wish you a happy, joyful, prosperous New Year) |
| Easter greetings | Froher Oschterdaag |
| Birthday greetings | Froher Gebortsdaag |
| Congratulations! | |
| One language is never enough | |
| My hovercraft is full of eels |
Hear some Pennsylvania German words and phrases
If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.
Information about Pennsylvania German | Phrases | Numbers | Tower of Babel
http://visitpadutchcountry.com/resources/pennsylvania-dutch-words-phrases/
http://bradhumblesamishcountry.yolasite.com/short-list-of-pennsylvania-dutch-phrases.php
https://www.wikihow.com/Speak-Pennsylvania-Dutch
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