או
o
The Hebrew word for "or" is או.
או is a conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is o.
Did you know?
- The Hebrew word או is a direct linguistic relative of the Arabic word أَوْ, sharing a common ancestor from thousands of years ago.
- When a Hebrew speaker uses או to present a choice, the stress or intonation on the word can change depending on whether the alternatives are equally likely or if one is suggested as a joke.
- In ancient Ugaritic, a sister language to Hebrew, the word for 'or' was written as 𐎜, showing that this specific linguistic tool has existed for millennia.
Examples in context
- זה בן או בת?Is it a boy or a girl?This example shows how to use או when choosing between a boy or a girl.Tatoeba #2008628 by MrShoval, translation #276835 by CK
- אתה בא או לא?Are you going or not?This sentence demonstrates how to use או to ask if someone is coming or not.Tatoeba #764085 by Eldad, translation #518631 by CK
- אמרת כן או לא?Did you say yes or no?This example illustrates the use of או when asking for a yes or no answer.Tatoeba #5591201 by fekundulo, translation #5205855 by CK
- האם תגיע או תישאר?Will you come or stay?
- האם תקטין את המחיר או תקנה משהו אחר?Will you reduce the price or buy something else?
- 867 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Iti and Maya are deciding what to drink at a cafe.
- איתי Itayאת רוצה קפה או תה?at rotza kafe o te?Do you want coffee or tea?
- מאיה Mayaאני אקח קפה, בבקשה.ani ekach kafe, bevakasha.I will have coffee, please.
- איתי Itayעם חלב או בלי?im chalav o bli?With milk or without?
- מאיה Mayaעם מעט חלב, תודה.im me'at chalav, toda.With a little milk, thanks.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries או, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
