Shiur Lexicon Companion
A Hebrew / Yiddish / Yeshivish listening guide
A glossary of common words and phrases used in shiurim.
ohr / אור
Pronunciation: OHR
Definition: Light.
Example: “The ohr comes through Torah.”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: or
oib azoy / אויב אַזוי
Pronunciation: oyb ah-ZOY
Definition: If so.
Example: “Oib azoy, we can answer.”
Origin: Yiddish
Also spelled: oyb azoi
ois / אויס
Pronunciation: OYS
Definition: Out; finished.
Example: “The point comes ois…”
Origin: Yiddish
olam haba / עולם הבא
Pronunciation: OH-lam hah-BAH
Definition: World to Come.
Example: “A taste of olam haba.”
Origin: Hebrew
olam hazeh / עולם הזה
Pronunciation: OH-lam hah-ZEH
Definition: This world.
Example: “In olam hazeh…”
Origin: Hebrew
Also spelled: olam ha-zeh
on the madrega / על המדרגה
Pronunciation: on the mah-DREH-gah
Definition: At the spiritual level.
Example: “On that madrega…”
Origin: Yeshivish phrase
oy / אוי
Pronunciation: OY
Definition: Oh! Expression of pain or surprise.
Example: “Oy, that’s a hard kasha.”
Origin: Yiddish
oy vey / אוי וויי
Pronunciation: oy VAY
Definition: Oh no; alas.
Example: “Oy vey, we skipped a line.”
Origin: Yiddish
Also spelled: oy vey iz mir

