להתגעגע
lehitga'age'a
To miss (someone or something) in Hebrew is to say להתגעגע (lehitga'age'a).
The verb להתגעגע is used to express the feeling of longing for someone or something, or feeling the absence of a person or object.
Meaning: to feel the absence of someone or something, to feel the want or need of (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
In a sentence, the verb להתגעגע must be followed by the preposition ל־ (to) to indicate the person or thing being missed. The present tense masculine singular form is מתגעגע, while the feminine singular form is מתגעגעת. To say 'I missed' in the past tense, use the first-person singular form התגעגעתי.
How do you pronounce it?
lehitga'age'a
Did you know?
- In slang, if someone says they 'missed' a joke, they might use the word פספסתי, which is the same verb used for missing a goal in soccer.
- In modern slang, people might use חסר לי meaning 'I am lacking' to express that they miss something or someone, shifting the focus from their emotion to the void left behind.
- Hebrew has a separate, more formal word for missing a homeland or a distant place, כיסופים, which is rarely used for people in daily conversation.
Examples in context
- שלום, גברת לוי. האם תוכלי לעזור לי עם הפרויקט החדש?Hello, Miss Levi. Can you help me with the new project?
- אני מתגעגע אליךI miss you (masculine to masculine)
- אני מתגעגעת אלייךI miss you (feminine to feminine)
- אני מתחיל להתגעגע למשפחה שלי.ani matkhil lehitga'age' la-mishpacha sheli.I am starting to miss my family.
- היא לא רוצה להתגעגע אלי.hi lo rotza lehitga'age' elay.She does not want to miss me.
- הילדים מתחילים להתגעגע לבית.ha-yeladim matkhilim lehitga'age' la-bayit.The children are starting to miss home.
Example conversation
Ido and Agur are saying goodbye at the airport.
- עידו Idoאני כבר להתגעגע אלייך.ani kvar lehitga'ge'a elayich.I am already going to miss you.
- עגור Adiגם אני אתגעגע אליך, עידו.gam ani etga'ge'a elecha, Ido.I will miss you too, Ido.
- עידו Idoמתי נראהינו שוב?matai nir'enu shuv?When will we see each other again?
- עגור Adiבעוד חודש, אז אל להתגעגע יותר מדי.be'od chodesh, az al lehitga'ge'a yoter midai.In a month, so don't miss me too much.
