Shiur Lexicon Companion

A Hebrew / Yiddish / Yeshivish listening guide

A glossary of common words and phrases used in shiurim.

A‍ ‍B‍‍ ‍C‍‍‍‍ ‍D‍‍‍‍ ‍E‍‍ ‍F‍ ‍ ‍G‍‍ ‍H‍‍ ‍IJ‍‍‍ ‍‍ ‍K‍‍‍ ‍L‍‍ ‍ ‍M‍‍ ‍N‍‍‍O‍‍P‍‍Q‍‍. ‍R‍S‍‍‍ ‍T‍‍‍U‍‍‍ ‍V‍‍‍ ‍W‍‍‍ ‍X‍‍‍ ‍Y‍‍ ‍Z

Browse by letter:

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