Showing posts with label interesting/eloquent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interesting/eloquent. Show all posts

Friday, November 27, 2015

נִכמַר הלֵב

Hebrew literary phrase meaning: the heart breaks with mercy; heartfelt compassion; to be deeply touched/heart swells up, with mercy, compassion, sorrow, longing 

Literally: Heart cracks
Source: of the word Ni'Khmar (נכמר) is biblical (Lamentations 5:10- עֹורֵ֙נוּ֙ כְּתַנּ֣וּר נִכְמָ֔רוּ - our skin cracked like an oven)
Usage: used when the heart is poignantly touched by someone/something/story that invokes much heartfelt mercy/compassion/sorrow/longing
Pronounced: Ni'KhMar Ha'Lev

Thursday, November 5, 2015

שוקק

Hebrew word for: bustling, teeming, lively 

Source: Biblical
Literally: N/A
Pronounced: Show-keck

Friday, July 17, 2015

למסמס

Hebrew idiom for: procrastinate, use delaying tactics, drag one's feet/heels, take one's time, play for time, play a waiting game, till the opportunity or issue fades away / dissolves / dissipates

Etymology: N/A
Literally: To dissolve / macerate
Pronounced: L'Mas'Mess

Saturday, July 11, 2015

להחזיר עטרה ליושנה

Expression meaning: to restore something to its original splendor

Literally: To restore a crown to its older state
Source: The expression appears in the Babylonian Talmud (Yoma, 69), but used commonly as a flowery expression in modern day Hebrew. Often used in Israeli media, by political commentators.
Pronounced: L'Hakzir A'ta'ra L'yosh'Na

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

קצרו המילים

Idiom for: Words can't describe/express

Literally: Words are too short
Pronounced: katzru ha'milim

Saturday, January 31, 2009

אינו בוחל באמצעים

Literally "one who doesn't loath any means" is the Hebrew expression for one who justifies any and all means to an end.
Pronounced: ay'no boe'chel b'em'tza'im

Used often in the context of terrorists groups that use loathsome means to justify their goals: from bombing of innocent civilian; using schools, mosques, hospitals for launching rockets and or caching weapons; other examples include using their own civilians, children, women, and elderly as human shields.

In a lighter context it may be used to describe, politicians, or any greedy group or person who is unashamed of applying any means to achieve their desired goal

Saturday, July 5, 2008

חמקמק

Meaning: elusive
Pronounced: cha'mak'mak
From the word לחמוק which means to evade, slip away
Derivatives: חמקן used also for stealth technology e.g., a stealth plane which is
מטוס חמקן

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

להקיש

to infer
also: to induce, to conclude
Pronounced: L'hakish

Friday, February 15, 2008

קיקיוני

ephemeral
Pronounced: keek-yo-ni

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

עוד חזון למועד

Meanings and English Parallels:
  1. The time has not yet come
  2. Premature, as in its premature to come to that conclusion
  3. When we reach that bridge/haven't reached that bridge yet
Literally: There'll still be a vision/prophecy for that time
Pronounced: Ode Khazon La'Mo'Ed