סָפַר
safár
The English verb 'count' can be translated into Hebrew as סָפַר (safár) or מָנָה.
Meaning: to enumerate or determine number (verb)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| סָפַר | safár |
| מָנָה | maná |
Both words relate to determining a number or enumerating.
Which one should you use?
סָפַר is the common, standard way to say 'to count' when enumerating numbers. In contrast, מָנָה is more specialized, often meaning 'to allot' or 'to count/assign' in a formal or administrative sense.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense masculine singular form of the verb is סָפַר. The present tense masculine singular form is סוֹפֵר. Additionally, the noun סְפִירָה refers to the act of counting or the process of enumeration.
How do you pronounce it?
safár
Did you know?
- In modern Hebrew, the present tense form סוֹפֵר is a homonym that means both 'counting' and 'writing'. A person who is a 'writer' or 'author' is also called a סוֹפֵר.
- The root ס-פ-ר (s-p-r) is also the basis for the word סְפַרִיָּה, which means 'library'.
- The term מִנְיָן comes from the same root as מָנָה and refers to the quorum of ten adults required for certain Jewish prayers. Without this specific 'count' of people, the service cannot officially begin.
Examples in context
- הוראה ראשונה, כל אחד יספור עד עשרה.First instruction, each person will count to ten.
- נא לספור את כמות הדפים במסמך.Please count the number of pages in the document.
- אתה יכול לספור עד עשרה?Can you count to ten?
- לספור את הימיםCount the days
- לספור את הכוכביםCount the stars
- לספור את הכסףCount the money
- לספור את הדקותCount the minutes
- הוא סָפַר את כל הכסף.hu safar et kol hakasaf.He counted all the money.
- הילד סָפַר עד עשר.hayeled safar ad eser.The boy counted to ten.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “count” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
