לכרוע ברך
licho'a berech
The English verb 'kneel' is translated into Hebrew as לכרוע ברך (licho'a berech).
Meaning: to stoop down and rest on the knee (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb לכרוע, meaning 'to stoop' or 'to crouch' and the noun ברך, meaning 'knee'. Literally, it means 'to stoop [on the] knee'.
How do you pronounce it?
licho'a berech
Did you know?
- The word ברך for 'knee' is the same root used for the word ברכה, which means 'blessing'.
- While לכרוע ברך is the literal way to say 'to kneel', in modern Hebrew, if you want to describe someone 'kneeling' in prayer or submission, you might use the more common verb להשתחוות, which means 'to bow'.
- In Hebrew, the phrase לכרוע ברך is often used in a highly poetic or biblical register, making it sound much more formal and dramatic than the everyday way people describe physical movement.
Example conversation
Daniel is preparing a surprise for Noah in the park.
- דניאל Danielנועה, אני רוצה לכרוע ברך עכשיו.Noa, ani rotze likroa berech achshav.Noah, I want to kneel now.
- נועה Noaלמה דניאל? מה קורה?lama Daniel? ma kore?Why, Daniel? What's happening?
- דניאל Danielאני רוצה להפתיע אותך במשהו מיוחד.ani rotze lehaftia otach be-mashehu meyuhad.I want to surprise you with something special.
- נועה Noaאני מחכה לראות מה זה!ani mechaka lir'ot ma ze!I'm waiting to see what it is!
