Short Hessian language course

Guide to Hessian dialect

In the Ebbelwei-Express you can discover so much, including: the sights in Frankfurt, the city’s specialities and the dialect – the “Ebbelex” is also very popular with long-established citizens of Frankfurt.

In order to get you in the mood for the Hessian dialect, we have recorded a few fantastic examples with the help of the Fankfurt Volkstheater and, in particular, the actress Margit Sponheimer, director Wolfgang Kaus and the actor and veteran of “Volkstheater”, Hans Zürn. With that said: Don't forget to turn on the loudspeakers.

Trainer for speaking Hessian

Hessisch

English

Aabeemick

blowfly

babbele

speak

Bedubb mich net

don’t lie to me

Bobbelsche

toddler, baby

Bagasch

acquaintance/relative

dabbisch Hinke

clumsy person

Was a Derrabbel

this person’s undernourished

Dibbe

pot

dozze lasse

drop something

Ebbelwei

alcoholic drink made from apples

Moooomendemaa

stop!

Frankfurter Würstchen

local speciality

Guude wiie?

hello, how are you?

Hibb de Bach und Dribb de Bach

northern and southern parts of Frankfurt

hibbelisch

restless, nervous

huddele

work superficially and under time pressure

A Lumbeseckel

a devious person

Mach mer net so Spirenzschär

stop making excuses

Mei Herzgebbobeldes

likeable person

A Mobbelsche

overweight person

E nuner, e nübber, e nuff un e nei

different ways of giving directions

A babbisch Gutzje

sticky sweet

petze

drink

Da krigt ma ja die pudelnackisch Krenk

that’s not very nice

Schlumpellies

untidy girl

Mach ma net so e Gedöns

don’t make a mountain out of a molehill

Schnippelsche

little piece

Schnuuud

mouth

E Schoppe un e Schöppsche

a glass of cider and a small cider

Dut

plastic carrier bag

sich ablesche

go to bed

Spitzkligger

rascal

Was e Spülbrie

flat drink

Ei da hogge ja die, die wo immer da hogge

great that you could be here

Weldchestach

Frankfurt public holiday

Zoores

trouble