חבצלות
chavatzalot
The Hebrew word for lilies is חבצלות (chavatzalot).
The term refers to large, fragrant flowers that are often white or colorful.
Which one should you use?
For a single lily, the singular form is חבצלת.
How does it change in a sentence?
חבצלות is the feminine plural form of the noun, while חבצלת is the singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
chavatzalot
Did you know?
- In modern Hebrew, the word שושנה is used for a 'rose', but in Biblical Hebrew, it often referred to a 'lily'. This means a reader of ancient texts might see a field of lilies where a modern speaker sees a garden of roses.
- In modern Hebrew, the word חבצלות is frequently used to refer to the 'sea daffodil' or 'sea lily' (Pancratium maritimum) rather than the large garden lilies (Lilium) common in English.
- While 'lilies' are often associated with purity in English, in Hebrew poetic contexts, words for flowers like חבצלת are more frequently used to evoke the rugged beauty of the Mediterranean landscape.
Examples in context
- חבצלות מפיצות ניחוח מתוק.Lilies smell sweet.This sentence is useful for describing the sweet scent of חבצלות.Tatoeba #1949865 by fekundulo, translation #30096 by CM
- ריח חבצלות מילא את החדר.A smell of lilies filled the room.This sentence is useful for describing how the scent of חבצלות filled a room.Tatoeba #768471 by Dardasavta, translation #30098 by CM
- השושנים הללו נראים מרהיבים בגינה.These lilies look magnificent in the garden.
- שושן הוא פרח מרהיב.The lily is a magnificent flower.
- השושנה הזו נראית נפלאה.This lily looks amazing.
- ראית את השושניות הקטנות בקיר הגינה?Did you see the small lilies on the garden wall?
- קניתי חבצלות לבנות לסלון.kaniti habatzelot levanot la-salon.I bought white lilies for the living room.
Example conversation
Noa and Noam are looking at flowers in a garden.
- נועה Noaנועם, תראה איזה יופי של חבצלות!Noam, tir'eh eize yofi shel khavtzalot!Noam, look what beautiful lilies!
- נועם Noamהן באמת נראות מדהים.hen be'emet nir'ot madhim.They really look amazing.
- נועה Noaאני אוהבת חבצלות יותר מורדים.ani ohevet khavtzalot yoter mevoradim.I love lilies more than roses.
- נועם Noamגם אני חושב שהן יותר יפות.gam ani khoshev shehen yoter yafot.I also think they are more beautiful.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
