What Does The Phrase “Amehaye” Mean?

What is Amehaye?

In this video you will learn how to pronounce the phrase “Amehaye”, as well as gain an understanding of its meaning.

David grew up in the Chassidic community of Antwerp, Belgium and he grew up speaking nothing but Yiddish. He is excited to share his knowledge with the rest of the world.

Amehaye. It's enlivening. That's the Yiddish expression for when you enjoy something very much.

Amehaye - It's Enlivening

Amehaye. It’s enlivening. That’s the Yiddish expression for when you enjoy something very much.

This expression comes straight out of the words of our sages in the Babylonian Talmud. You see they speak there about things which enliven you. Things which in their words, add life to life.

In Hebrew that’s mehaye chaim. You may recognize the Hebrew word chaim, which is the word for life, from Fiddler on the Roof and other places where you heard us say l’chaim to life.

Now, we took that word in Yiddish for enlivening, mechaye, and we turned it into an expression of enjoyment. So when you have a nice glass of whiskey, you enjoy a beautiful piece of music, you say, ah amehaye.