Pennsylvania German (Pennsylvania Dutch) Phrases and Vocabulary

Common Phrases

• Wann kumschter? – When are you coming?
• Ich bin grad mit em Esse fertig – I just finished eating.
• Geh mol die Dier zu – Close the door.
• Was hoscht do geduh? – What did you do there?
• Ich geh jetzt in de Schdeddel – I'm going to the barn.
• Kannst mer ebbes helfe? – Can you help me with something?
• Ich hab ka Zeit – I don't have time.
• Des iss jo net möglich! – That's not possible!
• Mach des Fenster uff – Open the window.
• Ich bin am Lese – I'm reading.
• Ich geh jetzt ins Bett – I'm going to bed.

Key Vocabulary

• Wann (when), Kumme (come), Grad (just), Esse (food), Dier (door), Zu (closed), Doh (there), Duh (do), Schdeddel (barn), Mer (me), Ebbes (something), Helfe (help), Hab (have), Ka (no), Zeit (time), Des (that), Net (not), Möglich (possible), Fenster (window), Uff (open), Lese (read), Bett (bed)

Pennsylvania German is a West Central German dialect spoken by descendants of 17th- and 18th-century immigrants, primarily in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.