Everyday Life & Greetings:
* Shalom: Peace/Hello
* Mazel Tov: Congratulations
* Kvetch: To complain (verb)
* Oy vey: Oh dear/Woe is me
* Shayna maidel: Pretty girl (literally "beautiful girl")
* Shmendrick: A clumsy fool
* Tatte/Mame: Dad/Mom (informal)
* Chutzpah: Audacity, nerve, brazenness
* Frum: Observant (of Jewish law)
* Yenta: Gossipy woman
Food:
* Knishes: Potato and/or meat filled pastries
* Blintzes: Thin pancakes filled with cheese or fruit
* Bagels: Ring-shaped bread, often with seeds
* Cholent: A slow-cooked stew (often eaten on Shabbat)
* Gefilte fish: Poached fish balls
* Lox: Smoked salmon
* Kreplach: Dumplings filled with meat or cheese
Expressions:
* Nu: Well, so, now
* Yiddishe kop: Jewish head (meaning stubborn or opinionated)
* Meshuggah: Crazy, insane
* Goy: A non-Jewish person
* Mensch: A good person, with integrity
* Schmuck: A jerk, fool (offensive in some contexts)
* L'chaim: To life! (a toast)
Remember:
* Many Yiddish words have entered English: "chutzpah," "schmuck," "kishke," etc.
* Yiddish has regional variations: The words you encounter might depend on the Jewish community's origin.
* Yiddish is a living language: New words and phrases are still being created and used.
This is just a small sampling of the vast and rich vocabulary of Yiddish. If you're interested in learning more, there are many resources available online and in libraries.