אוזני המן
oznei haman
The English phrase hamantaschen is אוזני המן (oznei haman) in Hebrew.
אוזני המן refers to the three-cornered cookies traditionally eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim.
Meaning: three-cornered cookies (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'Haman's ears'.
How do you pronounce it?
oznei haman
When do people say it?
Hamantaschen are a traditional food eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim.
Did you know?
- The Hebrew name אוזני המן is often viewed as a form of edible satire. By shaping the treats like ears, the act of eating them symbolizes the physical and spiritual destruction of the villain Haman.
- While the Hebrew אוזני המן describes ears, the Yiddish 'hamantaschen' actually means 'Haman's pockets'. This shows how two different Jewish languages imagined the same cookie shape as completely different body parts or items.
- The name המן likely comes from the Old Persian word Imāniš.
Examples in context
- אבא הכין הרבה אוזני המן.Dad made a bunch of Hamantaschen.This sentence shows how to use אוזני המן when talking about someone making them.Tatoeba #3881547 by nava, translation #4485599 by Joseph
- אני רוצה אוזני המן במילוי ריבה.ani rotze oznei hamen be'miluy riba.I want hamantaschen with jam filling.
- האם קנית אוזני המן לפורים?ha'im kanita oznei hamen le'Purim?Did you buy hamantaschen for Purim?
Example conversation
A kitchen where friends are preparing for the holiday.
- דניאל Danielרוטם, האם הכנת אוזני המן?Rotem, ha'im hachant oznei hamen?Rotem, did you make hamantaschen?
- רוטם Rotemכן, דניאל, הן מוכנות על השולחן.Ken, Daniel, hen muknot al ha'shulchan.Yes, Daniel, they are ready on the table.
- דניאל Danielהן נראות נהדר, תודה רבה.Hen nir'ot nehedar, toda raba.They look great, thank you very much.
- רוטם Rotemבכיף, תאכל הרבה!Bekef, toc'hel harbe!You're welcome, eat a lot!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries המן, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
