קוף
kof/qoːf/
The Hebrew word for monkey is קוף (kof).
The word קוף refers to the primate known as a monkey.
Meaning: primate (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
קוף is a masculine noun. The plural form of קוף is קופים (monkeys).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kof. The IPA is /qoːf/.
Did you know?
- The word קוף may share a distant linguistic ancestor with the Sanskrit word 'kapi', linking Hebrew to ancient Indian languages.
- In Jewish folklore and some mystical texts, the קוף is sometimes associated with the concept of imitation or a 'copy' of a human.
- The term קוף is sometimes used in modern Israeli slang to describe someone who is clumsy or acting silly.
Examples in context
- זה לא חזיר, זה קוף.It's not a pig, it's a monkey.Tatoeba #1406299 by Eldad, translation #59088 by Eldad
- קוף רואה, קוף עושה.Monkey see, monkey do.This sentence illustrates the proverb 'monkey see, monkey do'.Tatoeba #5470101 by fekundulo, translation #53939 by CM
- קוף מטפס על עץ גבוה.A monkey is climbing up a tall tree.Tatoeba #1945811 by fekundulo, translation #25874 by CM
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a picture book in a cafe.
- עידו Idoאיפה הקוף בסיפור?Eifo ha-kof ba-sipur?Where is the monkey in the story?
- נועה Noaהקוף נמצא שם, על העץ.Ha-kof nimtza sham, al ha-etz.The monkey is there, on the tree.
- עידו Idoהוא נראה מאוד מצחיק.Hu nir'e me'od matzhik.He looks very funny.
- נועה Noaכן, הוא קוף קטן וחמוד.Ken, hu kof katan ve-chamud.Yes, he is a small and cute monkey.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry קוף, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries קוף, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
