לעולם לא נשכח
le'olam lo nishkach
The Hebrew phrase for "never forget" is לעולם לא נשכח (le'olam lo nishkach).
This phrase is used as a solemn commemorative slogan, most commonly in the context of Holocaust remembrance or national tragedies.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of le'olam (forever/in the world), lo (not) and nishkach (will be forgotten/we will be forgotten).
How do you pronounce it?
le'olam lo nishkach
Did you know?
- The word לא is a cognate of the Arabic word لا. Both languages descend from a common Proto-Semitic ancestor, maintaining the same sound and meaning for 'no' over millennia.
- In Hebrew, the word עולם can mean 'world' or 'eternity' because the ancient concept of the world was viewed as a hidden, enduring realm.
- While לעולם לא נשכח is the standard slogan, you will often see it paired with זכרוננו יעמוד לעד, meaning 'our memory will stand forever'.
Examples in context
- לעולם לא נשכח.We never forget.This example shows how to use the phrase לעולם לא נשכח.Tatoeba #6082390 by fekundulo, translation #2241429 by CK
Example conversation
Two friends are standing at a memorial ceremony.
- דניאל Danielהיום הוא יום קשה מאוד.hayom hu yom kashe me'od.Today is a very difficult day.
- נועה Noaכן, אבל אנחנו לעולם לא נשכח את מה שקרה.ken, aval anachnu le'olam lo nishkach et ma she'kara.Yes, but we will never forget what happened.
- דניאל Danielזה מאוד חשוב לשמור על הזיכרון שלהם.ze me'od chashuv lishmor al hazikaron shelahem.It is very important to preserve their memory.
- נועה Noaבטח, דניאל, תמיד נזכור.betach, daniel, tamid nizkor.Of course, Daniel, we will always remember.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries לא, לעולם, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
