חמאה
chem'ah
The Hebrew word for butter is חמאה (chem'ah).
The term refers to the soft foodstuff made from milk.
Meaning: soft foodstuff made from milk (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
chem'ah
Did you know?
- The word חמאה is an ancient term that shares roots with the Akkadian word ḫimētu and the Classical Syriac ḥeˀwṯā.
- Because of dietary laws, many products labeled as חמאה in Israel are strictly separated from meat products in supermarkets to prevent mixing milk and meat.
- In certain modern Hebrew slang contexts, the word חמאה can be used to describe something that is 'smooth' or 'easy', much like the English expression 'smooth as butter'.
Examples in context
- היא קנתה קילו חמאה.She bought two pounds of butter.This example shows how to express the quantity of חמאה purchased.Tatoeba #1412583 by MrShoval, translation #311984 by CK
- אנו עושים חמאה מחלב.We make butter from milk.This sentence illustrates the process of making חמאה from milk.Tatoeba #5464530 by fekundulo, translation #35201 by CM
- תום מורח על הלחם חמאה.Tom is spreading butter on the bread.This example demonstrates the action of spreading חמאה on bread.Tatoeba #5740951 by fekundulo, translation #1666011 by Amastan
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Itay and Agur are preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
- איתי Itayעגור, יש לנו חמאה במקרר?Agur, yesh lanu chamah bamkarer?Agur, do we have butter in the fridge?
- עגור Adiכן, היא נמצאת במדף העליון.Ken, hi nimtza'at bamadaf haelyon.Yes, it is on the top shelf.
- איתי Itayאני לא מוצא אותה.Ani lo motza ota.I can't find it.
- עגור Adiהנה, זו החמאה, היא מאחורי החלב.Hineh, zo hachamah, hi me'achorei hachalav.Here, this is the butter, it is behind the milk.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries חמאה, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
