־עלע

Yiddish

Suffix

־עלע • (-ele) n

1. Used to express an emphasised diminutive, to indicate that something is extremely small.
2. Alternative form of ־ל (-l): dialectal alternative diminutive.

Usage notes

• When added to a word of Hebrew origin ending in ־ה (-e), the suffix becomes ־לע (-le) in writing, for example ‎דירה (dire) + ‎־עלע (-ele) → ‎דירהלע (direle) rather than *דירהעלע (direle).

Derived terms

Yiddish terms suffixed with ־עלע