יָפֶה
yafémasculine
The English word 'pretty' is translated into Hebrew as יָפֶה (yafé). Wiktionary also lists יָפָה (yafá).
Meaning: especially of women and children: pleasant, attractive (adj)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| יָפֶה | yafé | masculine |
| יָפָה | yafá | feminine |
יָפֶה is the most common term for 'pretty' in Hebrew. While it is frequently used to describe people, it can also be used to describe objects, nature, the weather or even situations as being 'nice' or 'beautiful'.
Which one should you use?
The term יָפֶה can be used for a variety of things, but in a less formal sense, speakers may use חמוד to describe something as 'cute' or 'pretty'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes based on the gender and number of what you are describing. The masculine singular is יָפֶה, the feminine singular is יָפָה, the masculine plural is יפים and the feminine plural is יָפֹת.
How do you pronounce it?
yafé
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, describing a situation as יָפֶה can be used sarcastically to mean 'great' in a bad way, similar to how an English speaker might say 'That's just great!' when something goes wrong.
- The noun form יוֹפִי is often used as an exclamation meaning 'great' or 'well done' regardless of whether something is physically pretty.
- The root Y-P-H is linked to the concept of 'perfection' or 'completeness' in religious texts, not just outward looks.
Examples in context
- הילדה יפהThe girl is pretty
- הפרחים יפיםThe flowers are pretty
- הכלב שלך חמודYour dog is pretty
- יפה וחמודהPretty and cute
- הילד הזה ממש יָפֶה.Ha-yeled ha-ze mamash yafe.This boy is really pretty.
- הוא מחפש ילד יָפֶה בתמונות.Hu mekhapes yeled yafe ba-tmounot.He is looking for a pretty boy in the photos.
Example conversation
Noa and Ido are looking at a photo album.
- נועה Noaתראה, הילד הזה ממש יָפֶה!Tire, ha-yeled ha-ze mamash yafe!Look, this boy is really pretty!
- עידו Idoאמת, הוא נראה יָפֶה מאוד.Emet, hu nir'e yafe me'od.True, he looks very pretty.
- נועה Noaעידו, אתה חושב שהוא יָפֶה?Ido, ata khoshev she-hu yafe?Ido, do you think he is pretty?
- עידו Idoכן, הוא ממש יָפֶה.Ken, hu mamash yafe.Yes, he is really pretty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pretty” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
