אבל
avál
The Hebrew word for "but" is אבל (avál).
Meaning: except (conj)
How does it change in a sentence?
אבל is an invariable conjunction, meaning it does not change its form based on gender, number or person.
How do you pronounce it?
avál
Did you know?
- In Hebrew, the word אבל can also be used as a noun meaning 'sorrow' or 'grief', though its most common role is the conjunction 'but'.
- In modern spoken Hebrew, people often add the word בסדר meaning 'okay' before אבל to soften a disagreement.
- The word אבל is written with an 'Aleph' and a 'Bet', which are the very first two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Examples in context
- אבל אין לי כסף.But I don't have money.This sentence shows how to use אבל to introduce a negative statement about possession.Tatoeba #720425 by Eldad, translation #674466 by Zifre
- אבל הקפה לא טוב.But the coffee's not good.This sentence demonstrates using אבל when expressing dissatisfaction with a specific item.Tatoeba #713305 by Eldad, translation #403138 by Ramses
- אבל אני לא רוצה.But I don't want to.This sentence illustrates using אבל to express a lack of desire or will.Tatoeba #1491724 by Eldad, translation #1491670 by fanty
- אני אוהב מכוניות, אך אני לא יודע לנהוג.I love cars, but I don't know how to drive.
- היום היה חם, אבל לא יכולנו ללכת לים.Today was hot, but we couldn't go to the beach.
- אני אוהב סרטים, אבל זה לא נכון.I love movies, but that's not correct.
- 1302 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Agur are discussing a movie they just watched.
- דניאל Danielהסרט היה ממש מעניין.hasert haya mamash me'anyen.The movie was really interesting.
- עגור Adiאבל הוא היה ארוך מדי.aval hu haya aroch madai.But it was too long.
- דניאל Danielאני חושב שהסוף היה טוב.ani choshev shehasof haya tov.I think the ending was good.
- עגור Adiאני מסכימה איתך, דניאל.ani maskima itcha, Daniel.I agree with you, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry אבל, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
