הלוואי
halevai
The Hebrew phrase for "please God" is הלוואי (halevai).
הלוואי is used to express a strong hope or a deep desire for something to happen. While it is often translated as "please God," the Hebrew expression is a secularized way to express longing and does not necessarily function as a direct prayer to a deity.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use הלוואי to introduce a clause, such as in the phrase "If only it would rain," it is typically followed by the conjunction ש (she).
How do you pronounce it?
halevai
Did you know?
- Although it functions as 'I wish' or 'please god', הלוואי is actually a loanword from the Arabic word lawla, which relates to the concept of 'if only'.
- In modern Israeli slang, הלוואי is sometimes used sarcastically to mean 'Yeah, right!' or 'In your dreams' when someone makes an unlikely claim.
- The word הלוואי sounds very similar to the Hebrew word for 'loan' or 'lending' (הלוואה), but they have entirely different origins and meanings.
Examples in context
- הלוואי שהכל יהיה בסדר.haluai she-hakol yihye be-seder.Please God, everything will be okay.
- הלוואי שייצא היום שמש.haluai she-yetze hayom shemesh.Please God, it will be sunny today.
Example conversation
Noam and Rotem are talking about a job interview.
- נועם Noamאני מקווה שאקבל את העבודה.ani mekave she-akabel et ha-avoda.I hope I get the job.
- רוטם Rotemהלוואי! אתה באמת מתאים לתפקיד.halvai! ata be-emet matim la-tafkid.Please God! You are really right for the role.
- נועם Noamתודה, רוטם. אני ממש מקווה.toda, Rotem. ani mamash mekave.Thanks, Rotem. I really hope so.
- רוטם Rotemבטוח שתשמע בשורה טובה.betach she-tishma bshora tova.I am sure you will hear good news.
