מודה אני
modeh animan speaking, morning prayer
מודה אני (modeh ani) means "I give thanks". It opens a short Jewish morning prayer said on waking.
Meaning: morning prayer of thanks, "I give thanks" (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| מודה אני | modeh ani | man speaking, morning prayer |
| מודה אני | modah ani | woman speaking, morning prayer |
The full line is מודה אני לפניך מלך חי וקיים שהחזרת בי נשמתי בחמלה רבה אמונתך (modeh ani lefanekha melekh chai vekayam shehechezarta bi nishmati bechemla raba emunatekha). It thanks God for returning the soul in the morning.
How does it change in a sentence?
A man says modeh and a woman says modah. Written without vowel marks both are מודה.
When do people say it?
Many Jewish people say it before getting out of bed, even before washing their hands.
Did you know?
- Because it contains no written name of God, מודה אני (modeh ani) can be said right on waking, before the ritual washing of the hands.
Examples in context
- מודה אניmodeh aniI give thanks (a man)
- מודה אני לפניךmodah ani lefanekhaI give thanks before you (a woman)
- אני מודה לךani modeh lekhaI thank you (a man speaking to a man)
Example conversation
Grandmother Rivka wakes her grandson Noam on a school morning.
- Rivkaבוקר טוב, נועם. אמרת מודה אני?boker tov, Noam. amarta modeh ani?Good morning, Noam. Did you say Modeh Ani?
- Noamכן, סבתא. מודה אני.ken, savta. modeh ani.Yes, Grandma. Modeh Ani.
- Rivkaיופי. בוא לאכול.yofi. bo le'ekhol.Great. Come and eat.
