ליטוואַק

Yiddish

Alternative forms

  • לעטוואַק (letvak)

Etymology

Likely borrowed from a Slavic language, most likely Polish Litwak from Litwa + -ak, as ־אַק (-ak) is not generally used as a demonym-forming suffix.

Noun

ליטוואַק • (litvak) m, plural ליטוואַקעס (litvakes) or ליטוואַקן (litvakn), feminine ליטווישקע (litvishke) or ליטוויטשקע (litvitshke)

  1. Litvak (a Lithuanian Jew)

Usage notes

  • Yiddish rigorously distinguishes between Jews and non-Jews in national terminology. A Lithuanian non-Jew is not a litvak, but rather a ליטווינער (litviner).
  • See ליטע (lite) as regards "Lithuanian"; it is possible to be a Litvak while in actuality having origins from modern-day Belarus or Latvia.

See also

References

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