כּוֹס
kosfeminine, masculine
The English word "cup" can be translated into Hebrew as כּוֹס (kos) or סֵפֶל.
Meaning: drinking vessel (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| כּוֹס | kos | feminine, masculine |
| סֵפֶל | séfel | masculine |
Both terms refer to a drinking vessel. The related form גָּבִיעַ is used when referring to a trophy.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of כּוֹס is כּוֹסוֹת.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced kos.
Did you know?
- The word for a trophy cup, גָּבִיעַ, shares a root with the Hebrew word for 'hill' or 'height'. This implies that a trophy is something elevated or held high.
- In modern Israeli slang, the word כּוֹס is the root of several vulgar expressions, meaning the word can be highly offensive depending on the context and suffixes added.
- The word כּוֹס is used in the Jewish ritual of 'Kiddush' to sanctify the 'Sabbath' with wine. In this context, the cup is not just a vessel but a symbol of holiness and separation from the mundane.
Examples in context
- תַּעֲרֹךְ לְפָנַי שֻׁלְחָן נֶגֶד צֹרְרָי, דִּשַּׁנְתָּ בַשֶּׁמֶן רֹאשִׁי, כּוֹסִי רְוָיָה.Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, Thou hast anointed my head with oil, my cup runneth over.Tatoeba #2119699 by fekundulo, translation #2122024 by MrShoval
- הַכּוֹס שֶׁלִיMy cup
- אפשר לקבל כּוֹס של קָפֶה?efshar lekabel kos shel kafe?Can I have a cup of coffee?
Example conversation
Daniel and Agur are in the kitchen preparing drinks.
- דניאל Danielעגור, איפה אפשר למצוא כּוֹס נקייה?Agur, eifo efshar limtso kos nekiya?Agur, where can I find a clean glass?
- עגור Adiהן נמצאות בארון למעלה, דניאל.Hen nimtsa'ot ba-aron lema'ala, Daniel.They are in the upper cabinet, Daniel.
- דניאל Danielמצאתי אחת, תודה רבה.Matsati akhat, toda raba.I found one, thank you very much.
- עגור Adiבבקשה, תמזוג לי גם כּוֹס מיץ.Bevakasha, temzog li gam kos mits.You're welcome, pour me a glass of juice too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cup” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
