חזק
chazak
The Hebrew word chazak means strong.
חזק is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is strong. It can be used in various idiomatic expressions to offer encouragement or blessings, such as Chazak ve'ematz (be strong and courageous), Chazak uvaruch (be strong and blessed) or to acknowledge someone's power in phrases like Yeish lach koach (you have strength).
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, חזק must agree with the gender and number of the noun it describes. While חזק is the masculine singular form, use חזקה (chazakah) for feminine singular, חזקים (chazakim) for masculine plural and חזקות (chazakot) for feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is chazak.
Did you know?
- In many Jewish communities, the word chazak is shouted as a rhythmic chant during the reading of the Torah to mark the end of a section.
- In modern Israeli slang, chazak is often used to describe something 'cool' or 'intense' rather than physically strong. A person might describe a powerful song or a surprising plot twist as chazak.
- In Hebrew, the word chazak can be used as a verb in the imperative form to mean 'strengthen' or 'tighten', such as when securing a bolt or a knot.
Examples in context
- הוא אדם חזק מאוד.hu adam chazak me'od.He is a very strong person.
- התקווה הזו היא חזקה.hatikva hazot hi chazaka.This hope is strong.
- הצבע הזה חזק מדי.hatzeva haze chazak midei.This color is too strong.
Example conversation
Noam and Maya are talking about a weightlifter they saw.
- נועם Noamראית את המתאמנים שם?ra'ita et hamet'amnim sham?Did you see the trainees there?
- מאיה Mayaכן, הוא נראה חזק מאוד.ken, hu nira chazak me'od.Yes, he looks very strong.
- נועם Noamהוא באמת חזק מאוד.hu be'emet chazak me'od.He really is very strong.
- מאיה Mayaזה מרשים מאוד.ze marshim me'od.It is very impressive.
