כאַלט

Yiddish

Alternative forms

• כײַ וואָלט (khay volt), כײַוואָלט (khayvolt), נעכײַ וואָלט (nekhay volt), ניכײַ וואָלט (nikhay volt), ניכײַבי וואָלט (nikhaybi volt)

Etymology

Blend of Ukrainian хай (xaj), неха́й (nexáj) or Belarusian няха́й (njaxáj) +‎ וואָלט (volt).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /χaɫt/

Verb

כאַלט • (khalt)

1. (dialectal, Northeastern) to wish, if only

   כאַלט איך האָבן געלט!

   khalt ikh hobn gelt!

   If only I had money!

   כאַלסטו אַליין זען!

   khalstu aleyn zen!

   If you would only see for yourself!

Usage notes

• This is an auxiliary verb that does not inflect, except the contraction כאַלסטו (khalstu). It precedes the past participle to form a subjunctive/conditional mood.

References

• Uriel Weinreich (1955) Yiddish Blends with a Slavic Element, WORD, 11:4,604
• Astravux, Aljaksandar (2008) “xalt”, in Idyš-bjelaruski slóŭnik [Yiddish–Belarusian Dictionary], Minsk: Mjedisónt, →ISBN, page 864