להתפלל
lehitpalel
To pray in Hebrew is להתפלל (lehitpalel).
להתפלל is used to describe the act of talking to God. This can refer to individual, personal prayer or communal prayer performed by a group.
Meaning: to talk to God (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
When praying to a deity, use the preposition ל after the verb, forming להתפלל ל. The verb changes based on tense and person: the present tense masculine singular is מתפלל, the present tense feminine singular is מתפללת, the first-person singular past tense is התפללתי and the first-person singular future tense is אתפלל.
How do you pronounce it?
lehitpalel
Did you know?
- The verb להתפלל is derived from the word פלל, which in ancient times meant 'to judge'. This suggests that prayer is a way of bringing a case before a heavenly judge.
- In Hebrew, the verb להתפלל is in a reflexive form, which implies that the act of praying is a way of 'improving oneself' or 'interceding' rather than just a one-way transmission to God.
- The noun form derived from this verb, תפילה (tefila), is also used in modern Hebrew to mean 'a request' or 'a petition' in a secular, professional context.
Examples in context
- אולי אנו צריכים להתפלל.Maybe we should pray.This sentence uses להתפלל to suggest a suggestion for prayer.Tatoeba #5457075 by fekundulo, translation #3729608 by CM
- אין שום דבר שאנו יכולים לעשות כדי להציל את תום בשלב זה. כל מה שנותר הוא להתפלל.There's nothing we can do to save Tom at this point. All we can do is pray.This sentence uses להתפלל to express that prayer is the only remaining option.Tatoeba #5998021 by fekundulo, translation #3072219 by Hybrid
- ליהודים יש זכות להתפלל בהר הבית.Jews have the right to pray on the Temple Mount.This sentence uses להתפלל to discuss the right to pray in a specific location.Tatoeba #13974189 by rul, translation #10540033 by shekitten
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noam and Maya are talking about a sick relative.
- נועם Noamאני הולך להתפלל עבור סבתא.Ani holech lehitpalel avor savta.I am going to pray for grandmother.
- מאיה Mayaגם אני רוצה להתפלל איתך.Gam ani rotze lehitpalel itcha.I want to pray with you too.
- נועם Noamבואי נלך לבית הכנסת עכשיו.Bo'i nelech lebeit haknesset achshav.Let's go to the synagogue now.
- מאיה Mayaזה רעיון טוב, מאיה מוכנה.Ze rayon tov, Maya mochna.That is a good idea, Maya is ready.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
