דִּין
dinmasculine
The English word "law" can be translated into Hebrew as דִּין (din) or חוק. Wiktionary also lists חוק \ חֹק (khok).
Meaning: any rule that must or should be obeyed (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| דִּין | din | masculine |
| חוק \ חֹק | khok | masculine |
Hebrew uses different words for "law" depending on whether you are referring to a specific written rule or the process of judgment. חוק is used for a statute, regulation or a law passed by a legislature. The adjective חוקי is used to describe things that are legal or pertain to the law. דִּין refers more specifically to a judgment, a legal ruling or a legal proceeding.
Which one should you use?
חוק is the most common term for a law, statute or regulation. In contrast, דִּין is used when discussing a judgment or the actual legal process of deciding a case.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of חוק is חוקים (laws). The plural form of דִּין is דינים, which is used for judgments or laws in a religious or formal sense.
How do you pronounce it?
din
Did you know?
- The word חוק comes from a root meaning 'to engrave' or 'to etch'. This suggests that a law is something indelibly carved or imprinted onto the mind or onto stone.
- While חוק is the standard word for a modern statute, the Hebrew Bible often uses the word מִשְׁפָּט to describe laws or ordinances.
- In Hebrew, the word חוק is used for both a specific statute and the concept of a natural law, such as the laws of physics.
Example sentences for Hebrew are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “law” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries חוק, CC BY-SA 4.0.
