יקר
yakar
The English word 'dear' can be translated into Hebrew as יקר (yakar).
יקר is used to describe someone or something as loved or lovable. Depending on the context, it can also mean 'expensive'. To express that someone or something is 'dear to you', you should use the construction יקר לי (yakar li).
Meaning: loved, lovable (adj)
Which one should you use?
While יקר primarily means 'dear' or 'beloved', it is also used to mean 'expensive' depending on the context of your sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it describes, so the feminine form is יקרה. The masculine plural form used for groups of men or mixed groups is יקרים. The feminine plural form used for groups of women is יקרות.
How do you pronounce it?
yakar
Did you know?
- The Hebrew word יקר shares an ancient ancestor with the Egyptian word jqr, which meant 'excellent' or 'worthy'.
- While יקר is used in formal letters, calling a romantic partner יקר can sometimes feel overly formal or old-fashioned compared to other terms of endearment.
- Because יקר means both 'beloved' and 'costly', using it in a sentence about a person can occasionally create a playful double entendre about their 'value'.
Examples in context
- אמי יקרה לי מאד.My mother is very dear to me.This sentence shows how to use the construction to say someone is dear to you using יקר.Tatoeba #3714529 by fekundulo, translation #3713711 by galiana
- מלאתי את משאלתך, עמית יקר.I have fulfilled your wish, dear colleague.This sentence uses יקר as a term of endearment for a colleague.Tatoeba #2048910 by fekundulo, translation #7431235 by MarijnKp
- חברים יקרים, אמרו רק מה אתם צריכים!Dear friends, just say what you need!This sentence demonstrates the masculine plural form יקרים when addressing a group.Tatoeba #2100621 by fekundulo, translation #2054661 by shanghainese
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a mutual friend who passed away.
- דניאל Danielהוא היה אדם יקר מאוד.Hu haya adam yakar me'od.He was a very dear person.
- רוטם Rotemכן, הוא היה מאוד אהוב.Ken, hu haya me'od ahuv.Yes, he was very loved.
- דניאל Danielכולם יתגעגעו אליו.Kulam yitga'aga'u elav.Everyone will miss him.
- רוטם Rotemהוא היה יקר ללבנו.Hu haya yakar le'libenu.He was dear to our hearts.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries יקר, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
