חבר שלי
chaver sheli
The Hebrew phrase for "my friend" is חבר שלי (chaver sheli).
חבר שלי refers to a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection. It is used informally. Note that in certain contexts, this phrase can also imply "my boyfriend".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun חבר (friend) and the possessive pronoun שלי (of me/mine), literally meaning "friend of me".
Which one should you use?
חבר שלי is the masculine form. In contrast, חברה שלי is the standard way to say "my girlfriend", although it can also mean "my friend" when referring to a female.
How do you pronounce it?
chaver sheli
Did you know?
- The word for 'friendship' (חברות) is identical in spelling and sound to the word for 'company' or 'corporation' in Hebrew.
- The word חבר shares a common root with the Arabic word for 'news' or 'information', suggesting a historical link between a 'friend' and someone who provides updates or social connection.
- Depending on the tone and context, using חבר to address a stranger can sometimes sound condescending or overly familiar, similar to calling a stranger 'pal' in English.
Examples in context
- תום הוא חבר שלי.Tom is my friend.This sentence is useful for identifying Tom as a friend using חבר שלי.Tatoeba #576764 by Eldad, translation #406604 by CK
- בוב הוא חבר שלי.Bob is my friend.This sentence is useful for identifying Bob as a friend using חבר שלי.Tatoeba #1999250 by MrShoval, translation #33182 by CN
- בעלה הוא חבר שלי.Her husband is my friend.This sentence is useful for stating that her husband is a friend using חבר שלי.Tatoeba #3883903 by fekundulo, translation #3884046 by Verdastelo
- הַי, חָבֵר שֶׁלִי! אֵיךְ אַתָּה?Hey, my friend! How are you?
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noa introduces someone to Daniel.
- נועה Noaדניאל, זה חבר שלי.Daniel, ze chaver sheli.Daniel, this is my friend.
- דניאל Danielשלום, נעים להכיר.Shalom, naim le'hakir.Hello, nice to meet you.
- נועה Noaהוא חבר שלי מהלימודים.Hu chaver sheli me-halimudim.He is my friend from studies.
- דניאל Danielאיזה יופי, ברוך הבא.Eize yofi, baruch haba.How great, welcome.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries חבר, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
