רק
rak/raq/
The Hebrew word for "only" is רק (rak).
רק is an adverb used to mean exclusively, merely or just. It can be used to limit a quantity, such as saying "only five" or to minimize the importance of a situation, such as saying "it was only a joke".
Meaning: without others or anything further, exclusively (adv)
Which one should you use?
While רק is an adverb meaning "exclusively" or "merely", the related adjective יחיד is used to describe something that is single, unique or the only one of its kind.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word רק is invariant, meaning it does not change its form based on gender, number or person.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is rak and the IPA is /raq/.
Did you know?
- The related word יחיד shares a root with אחד, the number 'one', linking the concept of being 'the only one' directly to the first number.
- While רק expresses exclusivity, the word בלבד is often added to the end of a sentence to emphasize 'and that is all'.
- In certain biblical contexts, the concept of 'only' or 'solely' is expressed through the word אך, which is a formal ancestor to the modern usage of רק.
Examples in context
- יש לי רק גינה.I have only a small garden.This sentence shows how to use רק to limit a quantity.Tatoeba #1556595 by MrShoval, translation #250488 by CM
- זה יכאב רק קצת.It will only hurt a little.This sentence uses רק to minimize an action.Tatoeba #582352 by Eldad, translation #278304 by Eldad
- זה היה רק חלום.It was only a dream.This sentence uses רק to minimize a state.Tatoeba #1789548 by MrShoval, translation #1789224 by Spamster
- אֲנִי רַק יוֹצֵא לָלָכֶת.I'm only going out for a walk.
- תִּתֵּן לִי רַק אֶת התְּשׁוּקָה שֶׁלָּךְ – זֶה בִּסְדֵר.Just give me your desire – that's fine.
- 717 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noa and Noam are deciding what to drink at a cafe.
- נועה Noaאתה רוצה קפה או תה?Ata rotze kafe o te?Do you want coffee or tea?
- נועם Noamאני רוצה רק מים, בבקשה.Ani rotze rak mayim, bevakasha.I only want water, please.
- נועה Noaרק מים? בלי קרח?Rak mayim? Bli kerach?Only water? Without ice?
- נועם Noamכן, רק מים קרים.Ken, rak mayim karim.Yes, only cold water.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry רק, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
