רע
ra/raʕ/
The Hebrew word for evil is רע (ra).
רע is used to describe something that is morally corrupt or evil. However, it is also the standard word used for general badness, such as describing bad weather or bad news.
Meaning: morally corrupt (adj)
Which one should you use?
While רע can mean both 'bad' and 'evil', it serves as the standard term for both general badness and moral wickedness. The related nouns for moral badness or wickedness include רַע, רָעָה and רֶשַׁע.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form רע is the masculine singular adjective. When describing a feminine noun, the adjective changes to רעה.
How do you pronounce it?
ra
Did you know?
- In a Jewish cultural context, the 'Evil Eye' is referred to as עין הרע, and people may use specific gestures or phrases to ward off this perceived spiritual danger.
- The feminine form רעה is spelled exactly like the word for a 'female friend' or 'companion', despite having a different meaning.
- In some contexts, the root of רע can be linked to the idea of 'associating' or 'mixing' with something.
Examples in context
- עוני הוא שורש כל רע.Poverty is the root of all evil.This sentence illustrates the expression 'the root of all evil' using רע.Tatoeba #5975175 by fekundulo, translation #992006 by CK
- התחרות איננה טוב או רע לכשעצמה.Competition is neither good nor evil in itself.This sentence shows how to use רע to contrast 'good' and 'evil'.Tatoeba #5884969 by fekundulo, translation #19274 by al_ex_an_der
- אתה רע.You're evil.This sentence demonstrates using רע to describe a person as being evil.Tatoeba #3520956 by nava, translation #2093410 by gleki
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ido and Maya are discussing a character in a movie.
- עידו Idoאת לא חושבת שהדמות הזו רעה?at lo khoshevet she-ha-dmuta ha-zo ra'ah?Don't you think this character is evil?
- מאיה Mayaכן, הוא באמת רע מאוד.ken, hu be-emet ra me'od.Yes, he is truly very evil.
- עידו Idoהוא עושה רק דברים רעים.hu ose rak dvarim ra'im.He only does evil things.
- מאיה Mayaזה הופך את הסרט למעניין.ze hofekh et ha-seret le-me'anyen.That makes the movie interesting.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry רע, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries רע, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
