רוּחַ
rúakhfeminine
The English phrase mind can be translated into Hebrew as רוּחַ (rúakh). If unsure, use רוּחַ. Wiktionary also lists מוֹח and מֹחַ (móakh).
Meaning: ability for rational thought (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| רוּחַ | rúakh | feminine |
| מוֹח | ||
| מֹחַ | móakh | masculine |
| שׂכל | sekhel | masculine |
The term mind refers to the ability for rational thought.
Which one should you use?
The Hebrew language distinguishes between the physical organ and the faculty of thought. For abstract or philosophical contexts, שׂכל (sekhel) is used to describe the capacity for reasoning or intellect. Although רוּחַ (rúakh) is listed as mind, it primarily means spirit, soul or wind and is used metaphorically for mind in poetic or spiritual contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
rúakh
Did you know?
- The word מוֹחַ for the physical brain is used in the common idiom להיות עם המוֹחַ בַּנַּעֲלַיִם, which literally means 'to have the brain in the shoes'. It describes someone who is acting foolishly or is confused.
- Hebrew has a specific word מַחֲשָׁבָה for the act of thinking, which shares a root with the word for 'calculation'. This implies that the 'mind' at work is similar to a mathematical process.
- In some ancient Hebrew contexts, the concept of the 'mind' or 'spirit' was not seen as something inside the body, but as a breath or movement coming from an external source.
Examples in context
- היו לי רעיונות נהדרים בראש!I had great ideas in mind!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mind” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
