למאַי

Yiddish

Alternative forms

• אַלמאַי

Etymology

From Aramaic למאי.

Adverb

למאַי • (lemáy)

1. (interrogative) why (for what reason)

   Synonym: פֿאַרוואָס (farvos)

Derived terms

• הלמאי (halemay, “why, then?”)

 

References

• Steven A. Jacobson (1998) A Guide to the More Common Hebraic Words in Yiddish, 5th edition, Fairbanks, AK: National Yiddish Book Center, →ISBN, pages 23, 55