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What Is a Mensch?

By Ariela Pelaia, About.com

Definition:

Mensch (מענטש) a Yiddish word that means "a person of integrity." A mensch is someone who is responsible, has a sense of right and wrong and is the sort of person other people look up to. In English the word has come to mean "a good guy." Menschlichkeit (מענטשלעכקייט) is a related Yiddish word used to describe the collective qualities that make someone a mensch.

The opposite of a mensch is an unmensch, which means an evil or cruel person.

Pronunciation: men-shh
Alternate Spellings: mentsh
Examples: Roger is such a mensch. He often volunteers at the soup kitchen and helps people in the community.
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