Mensch: Difference between revisions
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'''Mensch''' ({{lang-yi|מענטש}} ''mentsh'', from {{lang-de|Mensch}} "human being") means "a person of integrity and honor."<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mensch Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary]</ref> The opposite of a "mensch" is an "unmensch" (meaning: an utterly unlikeable or unfriendly person). According to [[Leo Rosten]], the Yiddish [[maven]] and author of ''[[The Joys of Yiddish]]'', "mensch" is "someone to admire and emulate, someone of noble character. The key to being 'a real mensch' is nothing less than character, rectitude, dignity, a sense of what is right, responsible, decorous."<ref>[http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/02/how_to_be_a_men.html How to Be a Mensch]</ref> The term is used as a high compliment, expressing the rarity and value of that individual's qualities. |
'''Mensch''' ({{lang-yi|מענטש}} ''mentsh'', from {{lang-de|Mensch}} "human being") means "a person of integrity and honor."<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mensch Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary]</ref> The opposite of a "mensch" is an "unmensch" (meaning: an utterly unlikeable or unfriendly person). According to [[Leo Rosten]], the Yiddish [[maven]] and author of ''[[The Joys of Yiddish]]'', "mensch" is "someone to admire and emulate, someone of noble character. The key to being 'a real mensch' is nothing less than character, rectitude, dignity, a sense of what is right, responsible, decorous."<ref>[http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/02/how_to_be_a_men.html How to Be a Mensch]</ref> The term is used as a high compliment, expressing the rarity and value of that individual's qualities. |
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In Yiddish, ''mensch'' roughly means "a good person." Although the word has migrated as a [[loanword]] into [[American English]], the word is |
In Yiddish, ''mensch'' roughly means "a good person." Although the word has migrated as a [[loanword]] into [[American English]], the word is cognate with the native Middle English word, "menske," meaning "A person of integrity and honor." <ref>[http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american_english/mensch?region=us&q=mensch Definition of "mensch" from OED]</ref> |
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A ''mensch'' is a particularly good person, like "a stand-up guy", a person with the qualities one would hope for in a dear friend or trusted colleague. ''Mentschlekhkeyt'' (Yiddish מענטשלעכקייט, German [[:de:Menschlichkeit|Menschlichkeit]]) are the properties which make one a ''mensch.'' |
A ''mensch'' is a particularly good person, like "a stand-up guy", a person with the qualities one would hope for in a dear friend or trusted colleague. ''Mentschlekhkeyt'' (Yiddish מענטשלעכקייט, German [[:de:Menschlichkeit|Menschlichkeit]]) are the properties which make one a ''mensch.'' |
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Revision as of 05:29, 19 November 2012
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Mensch (Template:Lang-yi mentsh, from Template:Lang-de "human being") means "a person of integrity and honor."[1] The opposite of a "mensch" is an "unmensch" (meaning: an utterly unlikeable or unfriendly person). According to Leo Rosten, the Yiddish maven and author of The Joys of Yiddish, "mensch" is "someone to admire and emulate, someone of noble character. The key to being 'a real mensch' is nothing less than character, rectitude, dignity, a sense of what is right, responsible, decorous."[2] The term is used as a high compliment, expressing the rarity and value of that individual's qualities.
In Yiddish, mensch roughly means "a good person." Although the word has migrated as a loanword into American English, the word is cognate with the native Middle English word, "menske," meaning "A person of integrity and honor." [3]
A mensch is a particularly good person, like "a stand-up guy", a person with the qualities one would hope for in a dear friend or trusted colleague. Mentschlekhkeyt (Yiddish מענטשלעכקייט, German Menschlichkeit) are the properties which make one a mensch.
During the Age of Enlightenment in Germany the term Humanität, in the philosophical sense of compassion, was used to describe what characterizes a "better human being" in Humanism. The concept goes back to Cicero's Humanitas and was literally translated into the German word Menschlichkeit and then adapted into mentsh in Yiddish language use.
In Modern Israeli Hebrew, the phrase Ben Adam "Son of Adam" (בן אדם) is used as an exact translation of Mensch.
