Oy vey (Yiddish: אױ װײ) is a Yiddish phrase expressing dismay or exasperation. Also spelled oy vay, oy veh, or oi vey, and often abbreviated to oy, the expression may be translated as "oh, woe!" or "woe is me!" Its Hebrew equivalent is oy vavoy (אוי ואבוי, óy va'avóy).

“Oy vey” is the ethnically Jewish way to react when you find out how much your son’s root canal will cost, or when you find out that there is a two-hour wait time for a table at the restaurant where you just arrived.

Oy vey! — also: Oy vavoy! Oy vey iz mir! Oy gevalt! Or quite simply: Oy! — is an iconic Jewish expression that conveys the weariness of a people overly familiar with hardship and oppression, as well as the resilience of a people that finds hope and sometimes even humor in catastrophe. It’s both heavy and light. It’s tragic and funny.

2024年9月2日 · Nothing seems to encapsulate Jewish tzores, pain, like the phrase “oy vey.” This phrase is one of the best-known Yiddish phrases, a language so common among pre-World War Two European Jews that it is estimated 85% of Holocaust victims were Yiddish speakers.

2020年1月22日 · What does oy vey mean? Oy vey is a phrase that expresses grief, pain, frustration, or exasperation . It is often used in and associated with American Jewish culture.

The full-blown expression oy vey or even the single syllable word “oy” is used all the time by Jews and others who want to express themselves. We’re taking a look at the meaning and origin ...

2024年1月11日 · According to Wikipedia, this phrase has its origins in cultural Judaism (Yiddish) from the 18th century, but there seem to be theories that it is older. There does seem to be a history of similar terms being used, as @TheTargum pointed out - the Yalkut Shimoni mentions a "ווי ווי" that the people said during the bad times of Megillas Esther.

2023年11月1日 · ‘Oy vey’ is a Yiddish phrase that expresses dismay, frustration, or grief. It is often used to convey a sense of exasperation or to express sympathy for someone who is experiencing a difficult situation. Why do some Jewish people say ‘oy vey’? ‘Oy vey’ is a common expression used by many Jewish people, particularly those who speak ...

2024年11月5日 · “Oy vey” is a Yiddish phrase that has become a staple of Jewish culture and is often used to express frustration, disappointment, or exasperation. It’s a phrase that originated in Eastern Europe during the 17th century and has since become a widely recognized expression that transcends language and cultural boundaries.

oy vey interjection An expression of frustration, annoyance, exasperation, or grief, often used humorously. Oy comes from Yiddish, meaning the same, while vey comes from Middle High German, meaning "woe."