tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47308773625611819222024-02-08T12:32:23.474+02:00Hebrew-English Idiom GlossaryA collection of interesting Hebrew idioms, terms and wordsNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-85004410972330965152016-01-16T17:39:00.003+02:002016-01-16T17:39:49.186+02:00שְׁאָט נֶפֶשׁ<h3>
<b>Hebrew idiom for:</b> disgust, repugnance, revulsion, repulsion, abhorrence, nausea, horror, aversion, abomination</h3>
<b>Literally: </b>disdain of the soul<br />
<b>Source: </b>Biblical from the book of Ezekiel (25:15)<br />
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"כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה יַעַן עֲשׂוֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּים בִּנְקָמָה וַיִּנָּקְמוּ נָקָם בִּשְׁאָט בְּנֶפֶשׁ לְמַשְׁחִית אֵיבַת עוֹלָם." (יחזקאל כה טו).
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<b>Pronounced:</b> Shih'At NefeshNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-47411785148633292312015-11-27T12:12:00.002+02:002017-07-02T00:29:37.785+03:00נִכמַר הלֵב<h3>
<b>Hebrew literary phrase meaning:</b> the heart breaks with mercy; heartfelt compassion; to be deeply touched/heart swells up, with mercy, compassion, sorrow, longing </h3>
<b>Literally:</b> Heart cracks<br />
<b>Source:</b> of the word Ni'Khmar (נכמר) is biblical (Lamentations 5:10- עֹורֵ֙נוּ֙ כְּתַנּ֣וּר נִכְמָ֔רוּ - our skin cracked like an oven)<br />
<b>Usage:</b> used when the heart is poignantly touched by someone/something/story that invokes much heartfelt mercy/compassion/sorrow/longing<br />
<b>Pronounced:</b> Ni'KhMar Ha'LevNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-6426608581499718862015-11-05T22:25:00.001+02:002015-11-05T22:58:19.170+02:00שוקק<h3>
<b>Hebrew word for:</b> bustling, teeming, lively </h3>
<b>Source: </b>Biblical<br />
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<b>Literally:</b> N/A</div>
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<b>Pronounced:</b> Show-keck</div>
Noam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-15369124778994048802015-07-17T16:09:00.001+03:002015-07-17T16:11:18.120+03:00למסמס<h3>
<b>Hebrew idiom for:</b> 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</h3>
<b>Etymology: </b>N/A<br />
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<b>Literally: </b>To dissolve / macerate<br />
<b>Pronounced:</b> L'Mas'Mess</div>
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Noam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-75728074623440576872015-07-11T12:34:00.000+03:002015-07-17T16:16:40.901+03:00להחזיר עטרה ליושנה<h3>
<b>Expression meaning:</b> to restore something to its original splendor</h3>
<b>Literally:</b> To restore a crown to its older state<br />
<b>Source:</b> 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.<br />
<b>Pronounced:</b> L'Hakzir A'ta'ra L'yosh'NaNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-41011872605267057412013-02-02T16:12:00.000+02:002015-07-17T01:05:01.798+03:00לך על זה<h3>
<b>Hebrew idiom for:</b> "Go for it"</h3>
<b>Etymology: </b>probably borrowed directly from English<br />
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<b>Literally: </b>Go/Walk on it<br />
<b>Pronounced:</b> Lekh al Zeh (to female: Le'khee al Zeh)<br />
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Noam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-71810773589581974762013-01-12T11:16:00.001+02:002015-11-27T13:13:06.461+02:00כאש בשדה קוצים<h3>
<b>Hebrew Term for:</b> Like wild fire</h3>
<b>Usage: </b>The news spread like wild fire<br />
<b>Literally:</b> Like a fire in field of thorns<br />
<b>Etymology:</b> Unknown<br />
<b>Pronounced:</b> K'esh B'sde KotzeemNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-47646155242589920262012-12-08T13:15:00.004+02:002015-07-17T01:06:59.869+03:00יתירות<h3>
<b>Hebrew Term for:</b> Redundancy</h3>
<b>Etymology:</b> From the Hebrew root יתר (Yeter) meaning -- the rest of, remainder, surplus, excess, the remains, more of<br />
<b>Pronounced:</b> Y'tee'rootNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-61968024705662144742012-12-02T21:25:00.002+02:002015-07-17T01:08:34.921+03:00ערש דווי<h3>
<b>Meaning: </b>Deathbed</h3>
<b>Source: </b>Book of Psalms<br />
<b>Pronounced:</b> E'res D'vai<br />
E'res is archaic for bed, Dvai archaic for sick, ill, dying<br />
Despite the fact that the separate words that make up the idiom are archaic, the idiom itself made up of both those words is commonly used in journalistic and literary HebrewNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-65682949362819437682010-05-23T21:15:00.003+03:002015-07-17T01:10:25.871+03:00חנון<h3>
Hebrew Slang for: Geek</h3>
<b>Pronounced:</b> Khnoon<br />
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<b>Etymology:</b> There's a whole Hebrew Wikipedia entry for the term: <a href="http://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%97%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%9F">http://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/חנון</a> . Theory is that it maybe from the Hebrew term me'chu'nan literally meaning gifted/talented and is the Hebrew term used for precocious children<br />
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Noam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-63300648949265010742010-05-22T19:37:00.004+03:002015-07-17T01:13:01.978+03:00ג'ינגול, לג'נגל<h3>
<b>Meaning:</b> To Juggle</h3>
<b>Etymology: </b>A corruption of the directly borrowed English word<br />
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<b>Pronounced:</b> jin-gool, l'jan-g'el<br />
<b>Usage:</b> used in Hebrew in the context of multi-tasking, e.g., work tasks, or the need to juggle ones time between work, children spouses, life etc.</div>
Noam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-7777842063937557162010-04-03T11:41:00.008+03:002010-04-03T13:59:38.457+03:00לצאת לידי חובה<b>Common Hebrew idiom meaning:</b> to do something just out of obligation (social or otherwise), without serious or sincere intention<div><b>Pronounced:</b> la'tzet li'ydey chova</div><div><br /></div>Noam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-6261766492058386002010-03-27T11:51:00.004+03:002015-07-17T01:08:15.020+03:00ליכלוכית<h3>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Hebrew Term for:</span> Cinderella</h3>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Etymology:</span> Hebrew took cinder (from Cinderella) and associated it to the Hebrew word soiled/dirty and added a diminutive endearment suffix to it<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Pronounced:</span> likh'loo'kheetNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-39480378373101848032010-03-26T12:33:00.002+03:002015-07-17T01:17:50.236+03:00להוסיף חטא על פשע<h3>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Hebrew Idiom for:</span> "adding insult to injury"</h3>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Literally:</span> "add sin to crime"<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Pronounced:</span> l'hosif chet al pe'shah<br />
<br />Noam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-24402392343221386642010-03-17T23:13:00.003+02:002010-04-03T12:13:01.456+03:00זוגרים<b>Term for:</b> Cohabitation<br /><b>Literally: </b>the union of the words זוג/zug meaning couple and גרים/ga'reem meaning dwelling<br /><b>Pronounced:</b> Zoo'Ga'reemNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-32907938241514916322010-03-17T22:55:00.002+02:002015-07-17T01:13:58.780+03:00קצרו המילים<h3>
<b>Idiom for:</b> Words can't describe/express</h3>
<b>Literally: </b>Words are too short<br />
<b>Pronounced:</b> katzru ha'milimNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-19680820544507619662010-03-05T21:27:00.002+02:002010-03-05T21:31:40.654+02:00לרתק2 different usages:<br />In art and media its often used to describe some object/person/event that riveted attention<br />Also means confine<br />Pronounced: l'ra'tekNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-66721241751263585742009-12-12T15:59:00.003+02:002015-11-27T12:31:37.500+02:00רוח גבית<h3>
Hebrew Idiom for: Tail Wind</h3>
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Literally: back wind</div>
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Pronounced: ru'akh gabit</div>
Noam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-26135636434997041042009-11-13T22:29:00.001+02:002015-11-27T12:51:49.536+02:00אבן-נגף<h3>
Meaning: Stumbling Block, Obstacle, Hinderance</h3>
<b>Literally:</b> Obstacle/blocking stone<br />
<b>Pronounced:</b> Even, Ne'Gef<br />
<b>Source:</b> Biblical, Isaiah 8:14- וְהָיָ֖ה לְמִקְדָּ֑שׁ וּלְאֶ֣בֶן נֶ֠גֶף , And he shall be a sanctuary and a stumbling stone...<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Noam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-23829339289132385742009-02-28T13:32:00.003+02:002009-02-28T13:37:51.051+02:00מגדרMeaning: The modern Hebrew term for Gender<br />Pronounced: mig'dar<br />Derived from: the word fence/railing<br />It appears like a conscious attempt was made when choosing the word for it to have some resemblance in sound to the English word GenderNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-60372046041819534422009-02-21T15:48:00.004+02:002009-02-28T13:39:49.083+02:00ישורת אחרונהMeaning: is the Hebrew idiom for "home stretch" as in the the last part of something, like a journey, race or project<br />Pronounced: y'shoret ach'roe'na<br />Literally: Last straightaway<br />Most likely borrowed and translated directly from the English metaphorNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-63609854569186061452009-02-21T01:34:00.000+02:002009-02-21T01:35:20.508+02:00נטלMeaning: burden, load, onus<br />Pronounced: ne'telNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-85931745650009069592009-02-21T01:30:00.002+02:002009-02-21T01:33:59.417+02:00נטל ההוכחהMeaning (and literally): burden of proof<br />Pronounced: ne'tel ha'ho'cha'chaNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-33780001347007292832009-02-14T20:36:00.001+02:002009-02-14T20:38:18.910+02:00אוויליMeaning: silly, foolish, inane, goofy<br />Pronounced: eh'vee'leeNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730877362561181922.post-7705393915070901472009-02-10T12:04:00.004+02:002009-02-14T20:34:55.257+02:00נהנתנותMeaning: hedonism<br />Pronounced: ne'hen'ta'nut<br />This word is an inflection of the Hebrew word for pleasure, in this form it indicates a principle/primary focus on pleasureNoam A. Rotemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254871253784073839noreply@blogger.com