How to Say "I Have" in Hebrew

יש לי

yesh li

In Hebrew, the phrase to say "I have" is יש לי (yesh li).

The phrase יש לי is used to state that the speaker possesses or owns something.

What does it mean word for word?

Literally, the phrase means "there is to me". It is composed of יש (there is) and לי (to me).

While English uses a verb for possession, Hebrew uses this existential construction meaning 'there is to me'.

Unlike English, the verb "to have" in this construction does not change based on the gender or number of the person who possesses the object.

yesh li

To say 'I do not have', Hebrew replaces יש with אין (en), effectively changing 'there is' to 'there is not'.
The construction יש לי remains identical regardless of whether the speaker is male or female, which is rare for Hebrew pronouns and verbs.
The word יש has an ancient connection to Aramaic, sharing a root with the word אִית which also denotes existence.

יש לי כאב גב.
I have a backache.
This sentence shows how to use יש לי to describe a physical sensation like a backache.
Tatoeba #1091564 by Eldad, translation #436619 by lukaszpp
יש לי כסף רב.
I have plenty of money.
This sentence shows how to use יש לי to state the possession of money.
Tatoeba #1435138 by MrShoval, translation #2360212 by CK
יש לי חום קל.
I have a slight fever.
This sentence shows how to use יש לי to describe a physical symptom like a fever.
Tatoeba #1451435 by MrShoval, translation #39956 by CK
847 more sentences on Tatoeba

Iti and Rotem are talking about their pets at home.

איתי Itay

יש לי כלב קטן.
yesh li kelev katan.
I have a small dog.
רוטם Rotem

באמת? יש לי חתול לבן.
be'emet? yesh li chatul lavan.
Really? I have a white cat.
איתי Itay

איזה כיף, גם לי יש חתול.
eize kef, gam li yesh chatul.
How nice, I also have a cat.
רוטם Rotem

הם מאוד חמודים.
hem meod chamudim.
They are very cute.

Sources

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