־יקייט

Yiddish

Etymology

Essentially ־יק (-ik) +‎ ־קייט (-keyt); compare German -igkeit (especially the Austrian/Southern German pronunciation).

Pronunciation

• (YIVO, Northeastern, Poylish) IPA^(key): /-ɪkaɪt/
• (Ukraynish) IPA^(key): /-ɪkeɪt/

Suffix

־יקייט • (-ikeyt) f, plural ־יקייטן (-ikeytn)

1. forms (usually abstract) nouns from adjectives

   ‎אַרבעטסלאָז (arbetsloz, “unemployed”) + ‎־יקייט (-ikeyt) → ‎אַרבעטסלאָזיקייט (arbetslozikeyt, “unemployment, joblessness”)

Usage notes

• Often used with adjectives in ־לאָז (-loz), sometimes with adjectives without other suffixes.
• Not to be confused with the addition of ־קייט (-keyt) after adjectives already ending in ־יק (-ik) or ־דיק (-dik).

Derived terms

Yiddish terms suffixed with ־יקייט