אמא ואבא
ima ve'aba
The English phrase "mom and dad" is translated into Hebrew as אמא ואבא (ima ve'aba).
The phrase is used to refer to one's parents.
What does it mean word for word?
The ve in ve'aba is the conjunction meaning "and" attached to the word for dad, which is אבא.
How do you pronounce it?
ima ve'aba
Did you know?
- While אמא ואבא are the standard terms, Hebrew has a specific word for 'parents' הורים that is derived from the root meaning 'to educate' or 'to teach'.
- In Hebrew, the word אבא is used not only for a biological father but also as a title for a spiritual leader or a 'father' of a movement.
- While אמא is the standard word for 'mom', its linguistic roots trace back to Aramaic, the language spoken by Jews during the Second Temple period.
Examples in context
- אמא ואבא חזרו חזרו הביתה.Mom and dad came back home.This sentence shows how to use אמא ואבא to describe parents returning home.Tatoeba #3506918 by nava, translation #3506927 by nava
- אמא ואבא אוהבים אותי מאוד.ima ve'aba ohavim oti me'od.Mom and dad love me very much.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noa and Ido are talking about a family dinner.
- נועה Noaעידו, מתי אמא ואבא מגיעים?Ido, matai ima ve'aba megi'im?Ido, when are mom and dad arriving?
- עידו Idoהם יהיו פה בעוד שעה.hem yihyu po be'od sha'a.They will be here in an hour.
- נועה Noaאני מקווה שהם רעבים.ani mekava she'hem ra'evim.I hope they are hungry.
- עידו Idoבטח, הם תמיד רעבים.betach, hem tamid ra'evim.Sure, they are always hungry.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אמא, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
