שמאל
smol
The Hebrew word for left is שמאל (smol).
שמאל is used to refer to the west side of the body when one is facing north. It can also refer to the ensemble of left-wing political parties as the noun שְׂמֹאל.
Meaning: west side of the body when one is facing north (adj)
Which one should you use?
The word שמאל is the standard form, while the adverb שמאלה specifically means 'towards the left' or 'to the left'. The antonym of שמאל is ימין (right).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While שמאל is the noun, you use the adjective forms to describe people or objects. Use the masculine singular adjective שמאלי and the feminine singular adjective שמאלית depending on the gender of the noun being modified.
How do you pronounce it?
smol
Did you know?
- Because Hebrew is written from right to left, the 'left' side of a page is where a sentence ends.
- The word 'left' in Hebrew is part of a linguistic family that stretches back to ancient Akkadian and Ugaritic-era structures.
- In certain traditional contexts, a 'left' turn or movement can be viewed as a deviation from the 'straight' path of righteousness.
Examples in context
- יד שמאל שלי נרדמה.My left hand fell asleep.This sentence uses שמאל to describe a body part.Tatoeba #1476835 by MrShoval, translation #3249323 by nava
- תום ימני או שמאלי?Is Tom left-handed or right-handed?This sentence uses שמאל to ask about being left-handed.Tatoeba #6021442 by fekundulo, translation #3778091 by Hybrid
- הקפד ללכת בצד שמאל.Keep to the left.This sentence uses שמאל to indicate a side for walking.Tatoeba #644700 by Eldad, translation #243568 by CK
- 52 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noa and Ido are looking at a map together.
- נועה Noaהכניסה היא בצד שמאל.Haknisa hi be-tzad smol.The entrance is on the left side.
- עידו Idoאני לא רואה שם כלום.Ani lo ro'eh sham klum.I don't see anything there.
- נועה Noaתסתכל שוב על הצד שמאל.Tistakel shuv al ha-tzad smol.Look again at the left side.
- עידו Idoהבנתי, עכשיו אני רואה.Hevanti, achshav ani ro'eh.I understand, now I see.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries שמאל, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
