תשומת לב
t'sumát lev
The English word "attention" is translated into Hebrew as תשומת לב (t'sumát lev).
תשומת לב refers to mental focus.
Meaning: mental focus (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a construct state composed of the noun תשומת (t'sumat), meaning 'placing' or 'putting' and the noun לב (lev), meaning 'heart'.
Which one should you use?
While תשומת לב refers to mental focus or interest, the word זהירות is used when "attention" means being careful or wary of danger. Additionally, הקשב is used specifically as a military command for "attention".
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
t'sumát lev
Did you know?
- In Hebrew, the 'heart' לב is not just the seat of emotion but also the center of intellect and thought. This is why 'attention' is literally described as putting your heart into something.
- Using the phrase תשומת לב is a way of describing a person's mental energy as a tangible resource that can be moved from one place to another.
- The phrase תשומת לב can be used to mean 'thoughtfulness' or 'consideration'. Giving someone תשומת לב often implies showing them care or kindness rather than just focusing on them.
Examples in context
- תום רצה תשומת לב.Tom wanted attention.This sentence shows how to use תשומת לב to describe someone wanting attention.Tatoeba #13082543 by fekundulo, translation #11943190 by CK
- היא אוהבת תשומת לב.She loves attention.This sentence demonstrates the expression for loving attention using תשומת לב.Tatoeba #1922457 by MrShoval, translation #1920730 by Spamster
- תשומת לבי נתונה לך.You have my undivided attention.This sentence shows how to express that someone has your undivided attention using תשומת לב.Tatoeba #5675083 by fekundulo, translation #2954537 by CK
- 49 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noa and Itai are discussing their student's progress.
- נועה Noaהוא צריך יותר תשומת לב בשיעור.Hu tsarikh yoter tsumat lev ba-shi'ur.He needs more attention in class.
- איתי Itayאני מסכים, הוא קצת מוסתח.Ani maskim, hu ktsat mushtach.I agree, he is a bit distracted.
- נועה Noaאיך נגרום לו לתת תשומת לב?Eikh nagrim lo latet tsumat lev?How can we get him to pay attention?
- איתי Itayאולי נשנה את שיטת ההוראה.Ulai nashane et shitat ha-hora'ah.Maybe we should change the teaching method.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry תשומת לב, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
