זכרו לברכה
Zikhro livrakha
The Hebrew phrase for "may his memory be a blessing" is זכרו לברכה (Zikhro livrakha).
זכרו לברכה is a standard expression used to express respect, honor or condolences when mentioning a person who has passed away.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of זכרו (his memory), ל (for/to) and ברכה (a blessing), literally meaning "his memory for a blessing".
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a deceased woman, you change the masculine pronoun suffix in זכרו to the feminine suffix -a to form זכרה לברכה (may her memory be a blessing).
How do you pronounce it?
Zikhro livrakha
Did you know?
- In written Hebrew, people often avoid writing the full phrase זכרו לברכה and instead use the abbreviation ז"ל", which stands for זכר לברכה.
- While English speakers typically say 'may his memory be a blessing' during a funeral or a moment of grief, Hebrew speakers may use זכרו לברכה in casual conversation years later whenever the person's name is mentioned.
- The phrase זכרו לברכה is often used as a linguistic 'shorthand' to inform a listener that someone is deceased without having to explicitly say 'he has died' or 'he passed away'.
Examples in context
- זכרו לברכה.zichro livracha.May his memory be a blessing.
- הוא היה אדם נהדר, זכרו לברכה.hu haya adam nehedar, zichro livracha.He was a wonderful man, may his memory be a blessing.
- זכרו לברכה, הוא תמיד יחיה בליבנו.zichro livracha, hu tamid yihye bilavenu.May his memory be a blessing, he will always live in our hearts.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a mutual acquaintance who passed away.
- עידו Idoנועה, את זוכרת את השכן הישן שלנו?Noa, at zokheret et hashekhen hayashan shelanu?Noa, do you remember our old neighbor?
- נועה Noaכן, הוא היה תמיד כל כך נחמד.Ken, hu haya tamid kol kakh nakhmad.Yes, he was always so kind.
- עידו Idoהוא נפטר בשבוע שעבר, זכרו לברכה.Hu niftar bashavua she'avar, zikhro livrakha.He passed away last week, may his memory be a blessing.
- נועה Noaאני ממש מצטערת לשמוע, עידו.Ani mamash mitsta'eret lishmoa, Ido.I am very sorry to hear that, Ido.
