כסף
késef/ˈke.sef/masculine
The Hebrew word for money is כסף (késef). Wiktionary also lists כֶּסֶף (késef).
Meaning: currency (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| כסף | késef | /ˈke.sef/ (Modern Israeli) | masculine |
| כֶּסֶף | késef | masculine |
While כסף means money in general, the word מזומן (mzumán) is specifically used for cash.
What does it mean word for word?
The word for money is the same as the word for silver.
How does it change in a sentence?
כסף is an uncountable noun and does not have a plural form in standard usage.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is késef. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Israeli business culture, the phrase תכלס (tachles) is often used when people want to stop talking about abstract ideas and get down to the 'bottom line' or the actual money involved.
- The word for 'banknotes', שטרות, originates from an ancient root that referred to legal deeds or formal documents.
- While כסף refers to money generally, if you want to talk about your 'pocket money' or 'allowance', the term דמי כיס (dmei kis) literally translates to 'fees of the pocket'.
Examples in context
- יש לי כסף רב.I've got plenty of money.This sentence is useful for expressing that you possess a large amount of כסף.Tatoeba #1435138 by MrShoval, translation #2359683 by CK
- כמה כסף יש לך?How much money do you have?This sentence is useful for asking someone the quantity of כסף they possess.Tatoeba #597643 by Eldad, translation #64597 by CK
- יש לי מעט כסף.I have a little money.This sentence is useful for expressing that you possess a small amount of כסף.Tatoeba #1336157 by Eldad, translation #18587 by CK
- הכל מקושר לכסף במדינה.Everything is connected to money in this country.
- 631 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Agur and Ido are discussing a purchase at a store.
- עגור Adiעידו, יש לך מספיק כסף?Ido, yesh lecha maspik kesef?Ido, do you have enough money?
- עידו Idoלא, שכחתי את הארנק בבית.lo, shachachti et ha-aranek ba-bayit.No, I forgot my wallet at home.
- עגור Adiאני יכולה לתת לך כסף.ani yechola latet lecha kesef.I can give you money.
- עידו Idoתודה רבה, עגור!toda raba, Agur!Thank you very much, Agur!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “money” translations and entries כסף, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
