קללה
klala
The English word "curse" translates to Hebrew as קללה (klala).
The noun קללה is used in two ways: it can refer to an offensive swear word or to a supernatural hex or malediction. To express the act of casting a supernatural curse, use the idiom להטיל קללה.
Meaning: to use offensive language (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to use the verb "to curse", use לקלל. The plural form of the noun קללה is קללות, which can mean either multiple swear words or multiple curses.
How do you pronounce it?
klala
Did you know?
- The word קללה shares its root with the word for 'light' as in 'not heavy' קל. Historically, this suggests a curse makes a person's social or spiritual standing 'light' and insignificant.
- In some traditional beliefs, a קללה is viewed as a spiritual entity that can physically cling to a person until it is canceled by a blessing ברכה.
- In Hebrew, the word קללה is the same root used for the word 'blessing' in some contexts, though the meaning is inverted through different vowel combinations and grammatical structures.
Examples in context
- איזו קללה אתה אוהב?What's your favorite curse word?This sentence is useful for asking about a favorite קללה.Tatoeba #1494327 by MrShoval, translation #906737 by CK
- נראה היה כאילו על המשפחה רובצת קללה.The family seemed to be under a curse.This sentence uses קללה to describe a family under a supernatural hex.Tatoeba #725862 by Eldad, translation #49316 by darinmex
- "אני עומדת להטיל עליך קללה", אמרה מרי."I'm going to put a curse on you", said Mary.This sentence uses קללה to describe the act of putting a curse on someone.Tatoeba #1724438 by MrShoval, translation #1723694 by Spamster
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a heated argument they witnessed.
- איתי Itayשמעת איך הוא התחיל להשתמש בכל קללה שהוא מכיר?shama'ta eich hu hitchel lehishtamesh bekol klala shehu makir?Did you hear how he started using every curse he knows?
- רוטם Rotemכן, זה היה ממש לא נעים.ken, ze haya mamash lo na'im.Yes, it was really unpleasant.
- איתי Itayאני חושב שכל קללה רק מחמירה את המצב.ani choshev shekol klala rak machmira et hamatsav.I think every curse only makes the situation worse.
- רוטם Rotemאני מסכימה איתך, איתי.ani maskima itcha, Itay.I agree with you, Itay.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
