חֲמוֹר
khamórmasculine
The Hebrew word for "donkey" is חֲמוֹר (khamór). Wiktionary also lists אָתוֹן (atón).
Meaning: a domestic animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| חֲמוֹר | khamór | masculine |
| אָתוֹן | atón | feminine |
חֲמוֹר refers to the domestic animal. However, this term can also be used to describe a person who is stubborn or stupid. In this context, the word is considered rude and derogatory.
Which one should you use?
חֲמוֹר is the masculine form, while אָתוֹן is the feminine form.
How does it change in a sentence?
חֲמוֹר is a masculine noun and אָתוֹן is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
khamór
Did you know?
- The word חֲמוֹר is a homonym with the word for 'donkey' and the word for 'severe' or 'serious'. This allows for wordplay in Hebrew literature where a 'severe' situation is jokingly linked to a donkey.
- In certain religious contexts, the donkey is a symbol of humility, contrasting with the donkey's common use as a modern insult.
- The word חֲמוֹר can also describe a specific shade of 'grey' or 'brownish-grey' in older descriptive texts.
Examples in context
- יש חֲמוֹר קטן בחווה.yesh chamor katan ba'chavah.There is a small donkey in the farm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “donkey” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
