אבן חן
even chen
The English word "gem" translates to Hebrew as אבן חן (even chen).
The term אבן חן is used to refer to a gem or a precious stone. In more formal settings, you may also encounter the term אבן יקרה to mean "precious stone."
Meaning: precious stone (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase אבן חן is composed of the word אבן, meaning "stone" and the word חן, meaning "grace", "charm" or "favor".
How do you pronounce it?
even chen
Did you know?
- When playing board games, the Hebrew word for a game piece is אבן, which is a semantic loan from the German word 'Stein'.
- The idiom להיות אבן חן describes a person who is 'in favor' or possesses a special charm, moving the meaning of 'gem' from a mineral to a personality trait.
- The word חן in אבן חן is commonly used as a first name for children in Israel.
Examples in context
- אבני חֵןGemstones
- הוא מחפש אבן חן יקרה מאוד.Hu mekhapes even chen yekara me'od.He is looking for a very precious gem.
Example conversation
Itay and Maya are looking at jewelry in a store.
- איתי Itayמאיה, תסתכלי על אבן החן הזאת.Maya, tistakli al even ha-khen ha-zot.Maya, look at this gem.
- מאיה Mayaהיא באמת מדהימה, איתי.hi be'emet madhima, Itay.It really is amazing, Itay.
- איתי Itayנראה לי שהיא יקרה מאוד.nira li she-hi yikara me'od.I think it is very expensive.
- מאיה Mayaבטח, זו אבן חן מיוחדת.betach, zo even khen meyukhedet.Sure, it's a special gem.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אבן, CC BY-SA 4.0.
