ציפור קטנה
tzipor ktana
The English phrase "little bird" is translated into Hebrew as ציפור קטנה (tzipor ktana).
ציפור קטנה refers to a bird that is small in size.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun tzipor (bird) and the adjective ktana (small/little).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ציפור קטנה, both the noun and the adjective are in the feminine singular form. The plural form of "little bird" is ציפורים קטנות (tziporim ktanot).
How do you pronounce it?
tzipor ktana
Did you know?
- While ציפור means 'bird', it is also a common female given name in Israel.
- The root of ציפור is found in ancient Ugaritic texts, suggesting the word for 'bird' has remained remarkably stable for thousands of years.
- To describe a 'tiny' bird, an Israeli might use the word קטנטנה, which is a diminutive of קטנה to emphasize extreme smallness.
Examples in context
- ציפור קטנה אמרה לי.A little bird told me.This sentence shows how to use the phrase to say a little bird told someone something.Tatoeba #1861815 by Eldad, translation #327991 by CM
- ציפור קטנה לחשה לי שלא השתתפת בתפילה.A little bird told me you are not attending Mass.This sentence uses the phrase in a context regarding information about someone's attendance.Tatoeba #1856145 by fekundulo, translation #1752598 by marcelostockle
- אינני יכול להרוג עכבר, לא כל שכן ציפור קטנה.I cannot kill a mouse, let alone a little bird.Tatoeba #1856159 by fekundulo, translation #1685771 by Amastan
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noam and Agur are looking out the window at a garden.
- נועם Noamתראי, יש ציפור קטנה על הענף.Tiri, yesh tzippor ktana al ha-anaf.Look, there is a little bird on the branch.
- עגור Adiהיא נראית ממש חמודה!Hi nira'et mamash hamuda!She looks really cute!
- נועם Noamאני חושב שהיא מחפשת אוכל.Ani hoshve she-hi mekhapeset okhel.I think she is looking for food.
- עגור Adiהציפור קטנה מדי בשביל להעיף את זה.Ha-tzippor ktana midai beshilal le-ha'if et ze.The little bird is too small to fly that away.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ציפור, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
