מילים רעות
milim ra'ot
The English phrase "bad words" is translated into Hebrew as מילים רעות (milim ra'ot).
While מילים רעות is a literal translation of "bad words", it is more common in Hebrew to use the term קללות to refer specifically to profanity or swear words.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of מילים (milim), meaning "words" and רעות (ra'ot), which is the feminine plural form of "bad".
How do you pronounce it?
milim ra'ot
Did you know?
- The concept of 'bad words' in Hebrew is often tied to ניבולי פה, a term that literally means 'the spoiling of the mouth'.
- If you want to tell a child to stop using 'bad words', you might use the term מילים לא יפות (milim lo yafot), which literally means 'not beautiful words'.
- Many modern Hebrew 'bad words' are loanwords from Arabic, reflecting the deep historical and geographic influence of the neighboring language.
Examples in context
- הילד אמר מילים רעות.ha'yeled amar milim ra'ot.The boy said bad words.
- אני לא אוהבת לשמוע מילים רעות.ani lo ohevet lishmoa milim ra'ot.I don't like hearing bad words.
Example conversation
Maya is talking to Daniel about his language.
- מאיה Mayaדניאל, למה אמרת מילים רעות?Daniel, lama amarta milim ra'ot?Daniel, why did you say bad words?
- דניאל Danielסליחה, אני הייתי מאוד עצבני.Slicha, ani hayiti me'od atzbani.Sorry, I was very angry.
- מאיה Mayaזה לא נחמד לדבר ככה.Ze lo nachmad ledaber kacha.It is not nice to speak like that.
- דניאל Danielאת צודקת, אני לא אגיד אותן שוב.At tzodeket, ani lo agid otan shuv.You are right, I won't say them again.
