Useful Pennsylvania German phrases

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

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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

Sources

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

Phrases in Pennsylvania Germanic languages

Afrikaans, Alsatian, American Norwegian, Bavarian, Cimbrian, Danish, Dutch, Elfdalian, English (British), Faroese, Flemish (West), Frisian (North - Bökingharde), Frisian (North - Sylt), Frisian (Saterland), Frisian (West), German, Gothic, Icelandic, Limburgish, Low Saxon, Luxembourgish, Norwegian, Old English, Pennsylvania German/Dutch, Scots, Stellingwarfs, Swedish, Swiss German (Basel dialect), Swiss German (Chur dialect), Swiss German (Lucerne dialect), Värmlandic, West Jutlandic, Westrobothnian, Wymsorys, Yiddish

Phrases in other languages

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