אני אוהב אותך, אמא
ani ohev otakh, ima
To say "I love you, mom" in Hebrew, use אני אוהב אותך, אמא (ani ohev otakh, ima).
This phrase is used to express affection from a child to their mother.
What does it mean word for word?
The word אותך (otakh) serves as a direct object marker specifically used when the recipient of the affection is female.
Which one should you use?
The spelling of the direct object changes based on the person being loved. In this phrase, otakh is used for a female recipient, whereas otkha would be used for a male recipient.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the verb changes depending on the gender of the person speaking. If the speaker is female, the verb changes from ohev to ohevet, resulting in the phrase אני אוהבת אותך, אמא.
How do you pronounce it?
ani ohev otakh, ima
Did you know?
- In modern Hebrew songs, the word אמא (ima) is often used metaphorically to refer to 'Motherland' or 'Israel' itself.
- The word for love, אהבה ('ahava'), shares the same three-letter root as the word for 'brother' אח ('ach') in some linguistic theories, linking familial bonds to the concept of love.
- The word אמא (ima) is an ancient term that has survived for millennia, tracing its roots back through Aramaic to even older Semitic languages.
Examples in context
- תודה על הכל, אני אוהב אותך, אמא.toda al hakol, ani ohev otakh, ima.Thanks for everything, I love you, mom.
- אני אוהב אותך, אמא, ומתגעגע אלייך.ani ohev otakh, ima, ve'mitga'age'a elayikh.I love you, mom, and I miss you.
Example conversation
Daniel is calling his mother to say hello on her birthday.
- דניאל Danielמזל טוב, אמא!mazal tov, ima!Happy birthday, mom!
- רוטם Rotemתודה רבה, דניאל היקר שלי.toda raba, daniel hayakar sheli.Thank you so much, my dear Daniel.
- דניאל Danielאני אוהב אותך, אמא.ani ohev otakh, ima.I love you, mom.
- רוטם Rotemגם אני אוהבת אותך, ילד שלי.gam ani ohevet otkha, yeled sheli.I love you too, my boy.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אמא, אני, CC BY-SA 4.0.
