כלב
kelev
The English word "dog" is translated into Hebrew as כלב (kelev).
The word refers to the animal known as a dog.
Meaning: animal (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form כלב is a masculine singular noun. If you are referring specifically to a female dog, use the feminine singular form כלבה. For multiple dogs, use the masculine or mixed-gender plural form כלבים or the feminine plural form כלבות if referring specifically to a group of female dogs.
How do you pronounce it?
kelev
Did you know?
- The word כלב is used in the phrase כלב ים, which literally translates to 'sea dog' but is the common Hebrew term for a 'seal'.
- In modern Hebrew slang, calling someone a כלב can be a harsh insult implying they are disloyal or mean, but between very close friends, it is sometimes used as an affectionate, ironic term of endearment.
- The word כלב is a cognate of the Arabic word kalb, meaning the same animal.
Examples in context
- זה חתול או כלב?Is that a cat or a dog?This sentence is useful for practicing the choice between two different animals using כלב.Tatoeba #586822 by Eldad, translation #67041 by Eldad
- הוא קנה לה כלב.He bought her a dog.This sentence shows how to use כלב as an object in a sentence.Tatoeba #1644978 by MrShoval, translation #302697 by CK
- היה לי כלב ענק.I had a huge dog.This sentence demonstrates the use of כלב when describing a pet you once owned.Tatoeba #2141287 by MrShoval, translation #1694967 by CM
- הכלב יודע לשמור על הביתThe dog knows how to guard the house.
- 193 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ido and Rotem are walking in a park.
- עידו Idoתראי, יש שם כלב חמוד!Tirai, yesh sham kelev hamud!Look, there is a cute dog there!
- רוטם Rotemהוא נראה ממש קטן.Hu nir'eh mamash katan.He looks really small.
- עידו Idoאני חושב שזה כלב של מישהו.Ani khoshev she-ze kelev shel mishehu.I think it is someone's dog.
- רוטם Rotemבוא נלך לראות אותו.Bo nelekhar lirot oto.Let's go see him.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries כלב, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
