סופגנייה
sufganiyá/suf.ɡa.niˈja/
The Hebrew word for donut is סופגנייה (sufganiyá).
A סופגנייה refers to a fried dough confection. While the English word 'donut' can describe ring-shaped dough, in Hebrew, סופגנייה specifically refers to the jelly-filled version common in Israel.
How does it change in a sentence?
סופגנייה is a feminine noun. The plural form is סופגניות (sufganiyot), which is used when discussing a variety of donuts.
How do you pronounce it?
sufganiyá. The syllables are suf-ga-ni-yá. The stress is on the fourth syllable.
When do people say it?
In Israel, סופגניות are the traditional food eaten during Hanukkah.
Did you know?
- The root of the word connects to the word for 'sponge', as the dough acts like a sponge for the jelly filling.
- In Israel, you will find סופגניות sold in massive quantities by street vendors and bakeries only during the winter holiday season.
- While traditional סופגניות are filled with red strawberry jam, modern Israeli variations now include fillings like salted caramel, pistachio and chocolate.
Examples in context
- את רוצה פונצ'יק גדול או קטן?Do you want a big or small ponchik?
- בחנות המאפה, יש להם מגוון עשיר של סופגניות לכל הטעמים!The bakery has a rich variety of sufganiyot for all tastes!
- אני רוצה סופגנייה עם ריבה.ani rotze sufganiya im riba.I want a donut with jam.
- האם יש סופגנייה עם שוקולד?ha'im yesh sufganiya im shokolad?Is there a chocolate donut?
Example conversation
Rotem and Itay are at a bakery in the morning.
- רוטם Rotemאיתי, יש לך סופגנייה?Itay, yesh lecha sufganiya?Itay, do you have a donut?
- איתי Itayכן, יש לי סופגנייה אחת.Ken, yesh li sufganiya achat.Yes, I have one donut.
- רוטם Rotemאפשר לקחת ממנה חצי?Efshar lakachat mimena khatzi?Can I have half of it?
- איתי Itayבטח, רוטם. בואי נאכל יחד.Betach, Rotem. Bo'i ne'echal yachad.Sure, Rotem. Let's eat together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry סופגנייה, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries סופגנייה, CC BY-SA 4.0.
