כמו
k'mó/kmo/
The Hebrew word for 'like' is כמו (k'mó).
כמו is used to describe how one thing is similar to another.
What does it mean word for word?
The word כמו functions as a prepositional form meaning 'as' or 'like' to denote similarity.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike in English, where 'like' can function as a verb (to like something), כמו is strictly used for comparisons and cannot be used to express affection or preference.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use כמו to mean 'to like' as a verb.
Did you know?
- The structure of כמו is closely mirrored in Arabic by the word kamā and in Ge'ez by kəmä.
- If you want to express that you enjoy something, you must switch to the verb אוהב, which is the same word used for 'love'.
- In some Hebrew slang, people might use the word כאילו (ka'ilu) instead of כמו to mean 'as if' or 'like' when filler words are needed in conversation.
Examples in context
- אח הוא כמו כתף.A brother is like a shoulder.This sentence illustrates a comparison using כמו.Tatoeba #2062495 by fekundulo, translation #2062323 by marcelostockle
- זה כמו חלום רע.It's like a bad dream.This sentence shows how to describe a situation as being like something else using כמו.Tatoeba #3798081 by Eldad, translation #2045352 by CK
- כמו מה זה נשמע?What does it sound like?This sentence demonstrates how to use כמו when asking what something sounds like.Tatoeba #6045971 by fekundulo, translation #3823023 by CK
- 540 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Itay and Noa are discussing a new movie they watched.
- איתי Itayהסרט הזה היה כמו ספר.ha-seret ha-ze haya kmo sefer.This movie was like a book.
- נועה Noaמה זאת אומרת, איתי?ma zot omeret, Itay?What do you mean, Itay?
- איתי Itayהסיפור היה מפורט כמו ברומן.ha-sipur haya meforat kmo be-roman.The story was detailed like in a novel.
- נועה Noaאני מבינה למה אתה מתכוון.ani mevina lama ata mitkaven.I understand what you mean.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry כמו, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries כמו, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
