החלמה מהירה
hachlama meheira
To say "get well" in Hebrew, you use החלמה מהירה (hachlama meheira).
Although the English phrase "get well" functions as a verb, the Hebrew phrase החלמה מהירה is a noun phrase used to express a wish for someone to recover from an illness or injury, similar to saying "wishing you a speedy recovery."
Meaning: to recover from illness or injury (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "fast recovery": החלמה means "recovery" and מהירה means "fast" or "quick".
How do you pronounce it?
hachlama meheira
When do people say it?
When someone offers you the wish החלמה מהירה, the standard response is תודה (toda), meaning "thank you".
Did you know?
- When someone is very ill, instead of just wishing for a fast recovery, Israelis might say רפואה שלמה to wish for a 'complete' healing of both body and soul.
- Because Hebrew is a gendered language, מהירה is feminine to match the feminine noun החלמה, regardless of whether the person who is sick is a man or a woman.
- While you might say 'get well' as a command in English, using the verb form in Hebrew can sound like a medical instruction rather than a warm wish.
Examples in context
- רפואה שלמה, איתן! מקווים שתתחיל להרגיש טוב מהר מאוד.A full recovery, Eitan! We hope you start feeling better very soon.
- מאחל לך החלמה מהירה.me'achel lecha hachlama mehira.I wish you a speedy recovery.
- שתהיה לך החלמה מהירה מהניתוח.she'tihiyeh lecha hachlama mehira me'hanituach.May you have a speedy recovery from the surgery.
Example conversation
Rotem is calling Itay to check on him after he fell ill.
- רוטם Rotemאיך אתה מרגיש היום, איתי?Eich ata margish hayom, Itay?How are you feeling today, Itay?
- איתי Itayקצת יותר טוב, אבל אני עדיין חלש.Ktzat yoter tov, aval ani adayin chalash.A little better, but I am still weak.
- רוטם Rotemשיהיה לך החלמה מהירה מאוד!She'tihiyeh lecha hachlama mehira me'od!May you have a very speedy recovery!
- איתי Itayתודה רבה, רוטם.Toda raba, Rotem.Thank you very much, Rotem.
