אריכות ימים
arikhat yamim
In Hebrew, long life is אריכות ימים (arikhat yamim), literally length of days.
אריכות ימים is typically used in formal contexts, such as blessings, literature or formal wishes, rather than in casual conversation. A common expanded way to wish someone a long life is אריכות ימים ושנים.
What does it mean word for word?
אריכות means length and ימים means days.
Which one should you use?
Another formal way to convey long life is חַיִּים אֲרוּכִּים.
Did you know?
- The common wish עד מאה ועשרים refers to the age of Moses, who died at 120, representing the ideal natural limit of a human life.
- In Jewish tradition, the phrase אריכות ימים is often paired with the wish for 'good health', as a long life is considered a blessing only if one is healthy enough to enjoy it.
- The word אריכות shares a root with concepts of 'extension' or 'stretching', which reinforces the visual imagery of a timeline being pulled long.
Examples in context
- אני מאחלת לך אריכות ימים.Ani me'achelet lekha arikhut yamim.I wish you a long life.
- הסוד שלו הוא אריכות ימים ובריאות.Ha-sod shelo hu arikhut yamim u-vriut.His secret is a long life and health.
Example conversation
Maya and Noam are celebrating their grandfather's birthday.
- מאיה Mayaמזל טוב לסבא על יום ההולדת!Mazal tov la-saba al yom ha-huledet!Happy birthday to Grandpa!
- נועם Noamמאחלים לו אריכות ימים ושמחה.Me'achalim lo arikhut yamim ve-simcha.We wish him a long life and joy.
- מאיה Mayaהוא נראה כל כך בריא.Hu nira kol kach bari.He looks so healthy.
- נועם Noamזה נכון, הוא תמיד מלא אנרגיה.Ze nachon, hu tamid male energia.That's true, he is always full of energy.
