אותו
otó
The Hebrew word for 'him' is אותו (otó).
אותו is used as an accusative or direct object pronoun. This means you use it when 'him' is the direct object of a verb or when the pronoun follows a preposition.
Meaning: accusative / direct object (pron)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the subject and the object. Use הוא to mean 'he' when it is the subject of a sentence, but use אותו when referring to 'him' as the object.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form אותו is used specifically when 'him' functions as the direct object of a verb or follows a preposition.
How do you pronounce it?
otó
Did you know?
- There is a second way to say 'him' by adding a suffix to the verb itself. For example, instead of using אותו as a separate word, the 'him' sound can be fused onto the end of the action word.
- Unlike in English where 'him' almost always follows the verb, Hebrew allows you to place אותו at the very beginning of a sentence to add dramatic emphasis.
- In Hebrew, the word אותו is used for 'him' regardless of whether the person is actually male, as it can also refer to any masculine noun or object.
Examples in context
- יש לך אותו שם.You have him there.This sentence shows the use of אותו in a context of presence.Tatoeba #5446934 by fekundulo, translation #44849 by CM
- הם רק ראו אותו.They just saw him.This sentence demonstrates אותו as the object of the verb 'to see'.Tatoeba #6039292 by fekundulo, translation #3910512 by CH
- תשאל אותו על זה.Ask him about it.This sentence shows how to use אותו when asking someone a question.Tatoeba #2132393 by MrShoval, translation #42170 by CH
- התקשרתי אליו ושאלתי אותו איך הוא מרגישI called him and asked him how he's feeling
- אמרתי לאותו בחור שהוא צריך להגיע בזמןI told that guy that he needs to arrive on time
- 1208 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rotem is asking Itai about a missing book.
- רוטם Rotemאיפה הספר שביקשתי?Eifo ha-sefer she-bikash-ti?Where is the book I asked for?
- איתי Itayאני לא מוצא אותו.Ani lo motze oto.I can't find it.
- רוטם Rotemחפשת אותו במטבח?Chapasta oto ba-mitbach?Did you look for it in the kitchen?
- איתי Itayכן, חיפשתי אותו שם.Ken, chifashti oto sham.Yes, I looked for it there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “him” translations and entries אותו, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
