יכול
yakhól/jaˈχol/
The English phrase 'can' is expressed in Hebrew as יכול (yakhól). Wiktionary also lists מסוגל (m'sugál) and יָכֹל (yakhól).
Meaning: to be able to, to know how to (verb)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| יכול | yakhól | /jaˈχol/ (Modern Israeli) | |
| מסוגל | m'sugál | ||
| יָכֹל | yakhól | masculine | |
| מְסֻגָּל | m'sugál | masculine |
The verb is used to express the ability to perform an action or to know how to do something. In Hebrew, יכול is typically followed by an infinitive verb to express the ability to perform an action.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
yakhól
Did you know?
- In some contexts, יכול is used to describe someone who is 'well-off' or 'wealthy', implying they have the financial means to afford things.
- The word יכול is used to form the phrase יכול להיות, which literally means 'can be' but is used as the standard way to say 'maybe'.
- The Hebrew word יכול might be historically linked to the concept of 'trusting' someone, suggesting that being 'able' to do something is rooted in the idea of being reliable or trusted.
Examples in context
- איש לא יכול לומר.No one can tell.This sentence demonstrates the use of יכול in a negative context.Tatoeba #1399406 by MrShoval, translation #276491 by CK
- בוא, אם אתה יכול.Come if you can.This sentence shows how to use יכול in a conditional clause.Tatoeba #1407930 by MrShoval, translation #450074 by CK
- מה אני יכול לומר?What can I say?This sentence illustrates how to use יכול when asking a question.Tatoeba #1489350 by Eldad, translation #1489345 by shanghainese
- אני יכול לעזור לך?Can I help you?
- האם באמת אתה חושב שאני יכול להצליח?Do you really think I can succeed?
- אני יכולה למצוא עבודה טובה.I can find a good job.
- אתה יכול להראות לי איך לעשות זאת?Can you show me how to do this?
- האם אפשר להשאיר כאן את התיקים?Can I leave the bags here?
- אני יכול לI can
- 2908 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rotem and Daniel are discussing a project at work.
- רוטם Rotemדניאל, אתה יכול לעזור לי עם זה?Daniel, ata yakhol la'azor li im ze?Daniel, can you help me with this?
- דניאל Danielבטח, אני יכול להסתכל עכשיו.Betakh, ani yakhol lehistakel akhshav.Sure, I can take a look now.
- רוטם Rotemתודה, אני לא יכולה להבין את זה לבד.Toda, ani lo yekhola lehavin et ze levad.Thanks, I can't understand this on my own.
- דניאל Danielזה פשוט, אני אסביר לך.Ze pashut, ani asbir lakh.It's simple, I will explain it to you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “can” translations and entries יכול, מסוגל, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries יכול, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
