ואתה
ve'ata
The Hebrew phrase "and you" is translated as ואתה (ve'ata).
This phrase is used to ask the same question back to the person who just asked it.
Which one should you use?
The form ואתה is used when addressing a single male. To say "and you" to a single female, use ואת (ve'at) instead. To address a group of men or a mixed group, use ואתם (ve'atem).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ואתה specifically means "and you" in the masculine singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
ve'ata
Did you know?
- The letter ו at the start of ואתה is called a 'vav' and acts as a prefix meaning 'and', rather than being a separate word.
- Because Hebrew is written from right to left, the prefix ו in ואתה is the first character seen, though it is logically the 'attachment' to the main word.
- In very formal Hebrew settings, such as a religious ceremony or a formal speech, the choice of 'and you' might shift to even more specific honorific pronouns.
Examples in context
- ואתה קורא לזה חדר ישיבות?And you call this a meeting room?This sentence shows how to use ואתה when questioning a specific description.Tatoeba #2375174 by fekundulo, translation #1650499 by Amastan
- ואתה?And you?This example shows the phrase used as a direct follow-up question.Tatoeba #1031165 by Eldad, translation #524168 by lugal
- טוב, ואתה?Fine. And you?This example shows how to use ואתה to return a question after a statement.Tatoeba #1399523 by MrShoval, translation #377816 by saeb
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maya and Noam are greeting each other in the hallway.
- מאיה Mayaהיי נועם, מה שלומך?Hey Noam, ma shlomcha?Hi Noam, how are you?
- נועם Noamהכל טוב, ואתה?Hakol tov, ve'ata?Everything is good, and you?
- מאיה Mayaגם אני בסדר, תודה.Gam ani beseder, toda.I am also okay, thanks.
- נועם Noamשמח לשמוע.Same'ach lishmoa.Glad to hear it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
