אתה מדבר עברית?
ata medaber ivrit?
The phrase "do you speak hebrew?" in Hebrew is אתה מדבר עברית? (ata medaber ivrit?)
This phrase is used to ask if someone has the ability to communicate in the Hebrew language.
What does it mean word for word?
The word עברית (ivrit) means "Hebrew". It is a noun that does not require a preposition like "in" to express the act of speaking the language.
Which one should you use?
To address a group of people, you can use the informal מדברים עברית? or the plural form אתם מדברים עברית?
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a group, the plural form אתם מדברים עברית? can be used. Additionally, adding the particle האם to the start of the sentence makes the question more formal.
How do you pronounce it?
ata medaber ivrit?
Did you know?
- Hebrew is a rare example of a 'revived' language. For nearly two millennia it was used primarily for prayer and literature and was not a spoken daily language until the late 19th century.
- The verb מדבר (medaber), which means 'to speak', shares the same root as the Hebrew word for 'desert', which is מדבר (midbar).
- The word עברית (Ivrit) comes from a root meaning 'to cross over' or 'the other side'. This refers to the biblical account of Abraham crossing the river Euphrates.
Examples in context
- אתה מדבר עברית?ata medaber ivrit?Do you speak Hebrew?
- סליחה, אתה מדבר עברית?slicha, ata medaber ivrit?Excuse me, do you speak Hebrew?
- אני רוצה לדעת, אתה מדבר עברית?ani rotze lada'at, ata medaber ivrit?I want to know, do you speak Hebrew?
Example conversation
Noam meets a new acquaintance at a cafe.
- נועם Noamשלום, אתה מדבר עברית?Shalom, ata medaber Ivrit?Hello, do you speak Hebrew?
- נועה Noaכן, אני מדברת עברית שוטפת.Ken, ani medaberet Ivrit shotefet.Yes, I speak fluent Hebrew.
- נועם Noamזה נהדר, נועה!Ze nehedar, Noa!That's great, Noa!
- נועה Noaתודה, נועם.Toda, Noam.Thank you, Noam.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אתה, מדבר, עברית, CC BY-SA 4.0.
