schlimazel
Rare / Very LowInformal, Humorous
Definition
Meaning
A chronically unlucky or unfortunate person; someone to whom bad things constantly happen, often through no apparent fault of their own.
A person who suffers a persistent run of bad luck or misfortune, evoking a sense of pity rather than blame, as the misfortune seems externally caused and consistent.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Differs from a 'schlemiel' (a clumsy, bungling person who causes problems) in that the schlimazel is primarily a victim of circumstance. The classic Yiddish joke defines them: "A schlemiel is the one who spills the soup; a schlimazel is the one it gets spilled on."
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is extremely rare in both dialects but has slightly higher recognition in American English due to historical Jewish diaspora communities and its popularisation in mid-20th century entertainment (e.g., the 1960s song 'Schlimazel!' from the TV show "Laverne & Shirley").
Connotations
In both, it carries a humorous, somewhat affectionate, or pitying tone. It is not a severe insult.
Frequency
Almost never used in everyday conversation in the UK. In the US, it might be encountered in older generations, comedic contexts, or discussions of Yiddish loanwords.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to be a schlimazelto call someone a schlimazelto play the schlimazelVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a born schlimazel.”
- “What a schlimazel!”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used. Might appear in a very informal, anecdotal context to describe a colleague with perpetually failed projects.
Academic
Only in specific linguistic, cultural, or literary studies discussing Yiddish influences.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Possible in humorous, storytelling contexts among familiar company.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Poor Robert is a real schlimazel - his car broke down again today.
- Ever since he moved here, he's been a total schlimazel, with one piece of bad luck following another.
- In the classic comic dynamic, the inept schlemiel and the hapless schlimazel are a perfect recipe for perpetual misfortune.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The Mazel (luck) is SCHLIPPERY for a schlimazel.' It always slips away from them.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A GAME OF CHANCE; the schlimazel is a PERPETUAL LOSER in this game.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "невезучий" which is neutral; "schlimazel" has a stronger, more caricatured, and humorous connotation.
- It is a noun, not an adjective. You are a schlimazel, not *schlimazelic*.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'shlimazel', 'schlemazel', or 'shlemiel'.
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., *'I feel very schlimazel today'*).
- Confusing it with 'schlemiel' (the clumsy causer of trouble).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'schlimazel'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a Yiddish word, likely from the Middle High German 'slim' (crooked, bad) and the Hebrew-derived Yiddish 'mazel' (luck).
A schlemiel is the clumsy person who causes an accident (spills the soup). A schlimazel is the unlucky person who suffers the consequences (the soup is spilled on them).
No, it is a very rare loanword from Yiddish. Most English speakers would not know it or use it in daily conversation.
No, it is strictly a noun in standard usage. While creative, informal use might occur, describing someone as 'schlimazel-like' would be more grammatically conventional.