כהן
kohen
The Hebrew word כהן (kohen) means cohen.
The term כהן is used to refer to individuals designated as members of the priestly class in ancient and modern Judaism.
Meaning: a descendant of Aaron (noun)
Which one should you use?
The surname Cohen may also be written as כהנא (Kohana).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the noun is כהנים.
How do you pronounce it?
kohen
Did you know?
- In traditional Jewish weddings, a כהן is forbidden from marrying a divorcee or a convert to maintain the purity of the priestly line.
- In many Jewish communities, a man identified as a כהן is called to the Torah for a special blessing that others are not permitted to perform.
- The status of כהן is passed exclusively through the father, meaning a person is only a כהן if their father was one.
Examples in context
- מר כהן לימד אותנו חשבון.Mr. Cohen taught us math.This sentence is useful for seeing how כהן is used as a surname in a modern context.Tatoeba #3197642 by nava, translation #3249248 by nava
- יש פה כהן?Is anyone here a cohen?This sentence is useful for seeing the word כהן used as a noun to refer to the priestly class.Tatoeba #8723430 by shekitten, translation #8723422 by shekitten
- הוא כהן דגול.hu kohen gadol.He is a great cohen.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their family trees.
- איתי Itayנועה, את יודעת אם אני כהן?Noa, at yodaat im ani cohen?Noa, do you know if I am a cohen?
- נועה Noaכן, איתי, הסבתא שלך אמרה לי.Ken, Itay, ha-savta shelcha amra li.Yes, Itay, your grandmother told me.
- איתי Itayאז אני יכול לעשות את הברכה.Az ani yachol la'asot et ha-bracha.So I can do the blessing.
- נועה Noaבדיוק, כי זה התפקיד של כהן.Bediyuk, ki ze ha-tafkid shel cohen.Exactly, because that is the role of a cohen.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
