לעשות
The English phrase 'do' is translated into Hebrew as לעשות.
לעשות is a verb used to mean both 'to do' (performing an action) and 'to make' (creating something).
Meaning: perform tasks (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense first-person singular form is עשיתי (I did). The past tense second-person masculine singular form is עשית (you did). The past tense third-person masculine plural form is עשו (they did). In the present tense, the masculine singular form is עושה, which can function as a participle meaning 'doing' or 'making'. The masculine plural present tense form is עושים.
Did you know?
- In modern Hebrew slang, the phrase לעשות סיבוב literally means 'to do a round'. It is the standard way to say 'to go for a drive' or 'to take a stroll'.
- The root ע-ש-ה is found in the word מעשה, which can mean 'deed' or 'action'. In Jewish storytelling, a מעשה is often the opening word for a fable or a legendary tale.
- The phrase מה עושים? literally means 'what are they doing?' but is commonly used as a slang expression meaning 'what's the plan?' or 'how should we handle this situation?'
Examples in context
- יש לי מה לעשות.I've got stuff to do.This sentence uses לעשות to express having tasks to perform.Tatoeba #6021298 by fekundulo, translation #3341669 by CK
- עלי לעשות את זה.I should do it.This sentence uses לעשות to express obligation.Tatoeba #5513821 by fekundulo, translation #5366319 by CK
- בא לך לעשות סקי?Do you feel like going skiing?This sentence uses לעשות to ask about an activity.Tatoeba #5881345 by fekundulo, translation #3444081 by allenmanbear
- יֵשׁ לִי הַרְבֵּה עֲבוֹדָה לַעֲשׂוֹתI have a lot of work to do.
- מַה אַתָּה עוֹשֶׂהWhat are you doing?
- 2345 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing chores at home.
- עגור Adiעידו, אתה רוצה לעשות את הכלים?Ido, ata rotze la'asot et hakelim?Ido, do you want to do the dishes?
- עידו Idoלא עכשיו, אני צריך לעשות שיעורי בית.Lo achshav, ani tsarikh la'asot shi'urei bayit.Not now, I need to do homework.
- עגור Adiאני יכולה לעשות את זה מאוחר יותר.Ani yekhola la'asot et ze me'ukhar yoter.I can do it later.
- עידו Idoתודה, עגור, את מאוד נחמדה.Toda, Agur, at me'od nekhmada.Thanks, Agur, you are very kind.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
