Welcome to this comprehensive guide on how to say “on” in Hebrew. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways of expressing this preposition, along with some useful regional variations. From tips to examples, we aim to provide you with all the necessary tools to master the various uses of “on” in Hebrew.
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Formal Ways to Say “On” in Hebrew
When it comes to formal expressions of “on” in Hebrew, there are a few common options:
“על” (pronounced: al): This is the most versatile and widely used word for “on” in formal Hebrew. It is commonly used when referring to physical surfaces, locations, or topics in general.
Example: הטלוויזיה נמצאת על השולחן. (Ha-televizya nimtzet al ha-shulchan.) – The television is on the table.
“על ידי” (pronounced: al yadei): This expression is used to indicate that something is happening or being done by someone, referring to the instrumental use of “on.”
Example: הסרט נכתב על ידי מחבר מצליח. (Ha-seret niktav al yadei me’chaber metsli’ach.) – The movie was written by a successful author.
“על פי” (pronounced: al pi): When referring to sources or following guidelines, this phrase is commonly used to convey the idea of “on.”
Example: לפי דעת המומחה, יש לשתיית מים רבה יותר בחום. (Lefi da’at ha-mumche, yesh lishot metim raba yoter ba-khum.) – According to the expert’s opinion, you should drink a lot more water when it’s hot.
Informal Ways to Say “On” in Hebrew
When communicating more casually in Hebrew, you might utilize these more informal expressions for “on”:
“על” (pronounced: al): Just like in formal Hebrew, “על” is commonly used as an informal way to indicate “on” in various contexts.
Example: האिगור על הדלפק בליין. (Ha-igor al ha-dalpek b’layn.) – The laptop is on the desk.
“על יד” (pronounced: al yad): This is a more relaxed variation used informally when discussing someone in charge or an authorized person.
Example: הזוגיות במלון הופקעה על יד עובדיו. (Ha-zugi’ut ba-malon hofka’a al yad ovdei.) – The reservation at the hotel was canceled by its employees.
Regional Variations
While Hebrew is mainly standardized, regional variations can still be found in different communities. Here are a couple of examples:
“על פיהם” (pronounced: al pihem): In some communities, this expression is used to indicate “on.”
Example: הסרט מבוסס על פיהם של הסדרת ספרים. (Ha-seret mebuses al pihem shel ha-sederet sfarim.) – The movie is based on their book series.
“על בסיס” (pronounced: al basis): In certain regions, this phrase is used to convey the meaning of “on.”
Example: אפשר למשוך מכה על בסיס אחר. (Efshar lim’shok maka al basis acher.) – It is possible to pull a punch in a different way.
Additional Tips and Usage Examples
Here are a few additional tips and usage examples to help you understand and incorporate the term “on” into your Hebrew vocabulary:
- Location: When referring to a place or surface where something is located, use “על” (al) in both formal and informal contexts.
- Instrumental Use: To indicate that an action is being done by someone, use “על ידי” (al yadei) in formal Hebrew or “על יד” (al yad) in informal Hebrew.
- Following Guidelines: When referring to following instructions or sources, use “על פי” (al pi) in formal Hebrew.
We hope this guide has helped you understand the various ways to say “on” in Hebrew. Remember, practice is key to mastering any language. So go ahead and use these expressions in conversations to become more fluent and comfortable with your Hebrew skills. Good luck!
