למטה
lemata
The Hebrew word for "down" is למטה (lemata).
The word למטה is an adverb used to describe movement or position from a high to a low position, or in a downwards direction.
Meaning: from a high to a low position, downwards (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
This word is composed of the preposition ל (to) and the noun מטה (down, bottom or direction).
How do you pronounce it?
lemata
Did you know?
- In modern Hebrew, the word מטה can mean 'headquarters' or 'command center', a far cry from its literal meaning of 'down'.
- In Biblical Hebrew, מטה refers to a 'tribe' or 'clan', as the staff of a leader symbolized the group they led.
- The noun portion of the word, מטה, can also mean a 'staff' or 'rod', such as the staff used by Moses in the Bible.
Examples in context
- שלח את תום למטה.Send Tom down.This sentence shows how to use למטה when instructing someone to send a person down.Tatoeba #5429145 by fekundulo, translation #2235879 by CK
- תוך שניה אהיה למטה.I'll be down in a minute.This sentence illustrates using למטה to describe arriving at a lower position or level soon.Tatoeba #4679554 by fekundulo, translation #2545505 by CK
- איך זה היה שם למטה?What was it like down there?This sentence demonstrates how to use למטה when asking about conditions in a lower location.Tatoeba #5637817 by fekundulo, translation #4012815 by CK
- שים את הספר למטה על השולחן.Put the book down on the table.
- הוא רץ למטה במדרגות.He ran down the stairs.
- 67 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maya is talking to Itay on the phone while she is upstairs.
- מאיה Mayaאיתי, אתה כבר למטה?Itay, ata kvar lemata?Itay, are you down already?
- איתי Itayכן, אני מחכה לך ליד הדלת.Ken, ani mechake lach leyad hadlet.Yes, I am waiting for you by the door.
- מאיה Mayaאני יורדת למטה עכשיו.Ani yoredet lemata achshav.I am coming down now.
- איתי Itayבסדר, נסים את זה מהר.Beseder, nasim et ze maher.Alright, we will finish this quickly.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries למטה, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
