לבריאות
livriut
The Hebrew way to say "God bless you" is לבריאות (livriut).
While English speakers say "God bless you" after someone sneezes, the standard Hebrew response is לבריאות. Unlike the English phrase, the Hebrew term is a secular wish for health and does not explicitly mention God.
Meaning: said to somebody who has sneezed (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term לבריאות literally means "to health".
Which one should you use?
The common expression לבריאות is a secular wish for health. In contrast, the phrase יְבָרֶכְךָ הַאֱלֹהִים means "May God bless you" and is used to convey actual blessings.
How do you pronounce it?
livriut
When do people say it?
When someone sneezes, you should say לבריאות to wish them health. This differs from the religious nature of the English "God bless you".
Did you know?
- The Hebrew phrase לבריאות is identical to the expression used when making a toast in a restaurant or at a party, such as 'Cheers!' in English.
- The word בריאות comes from the root ב-ר-א, which relates to both 'health' and 'creation'.
- The phrase לבריאות is used regardless of whether the person sneezing is a man, a woman or a group.
Examples in context
- לבריאות!God bless you!This example shows how to use לבריאות to wish someone health.Tatoeba #565623 by Geek_God, translation #269618 by CM
- הוא התעטש, אז אמרתי לו לבריאות.hu hit'esh, az amarti lo l'bri'ut.He sneezed, so I told him bless you.
Example conversation
Maya and Itai are sitting in a cafe.
- מאיה Maya*(מעטשת)**(sneezes)**(Sneezes)*
- איתי Itayלבריאות, מאיה!Livr'iut, Maya!Bless you, Maya!
- מאיה Mayaתודה, איתי.Toda, Itai.Thank you, Itai.
- איתי Itayאין בעיה.Ein be'aya.No problem.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
