סלע
sela
The Hebrew word for rock is סלע (sela).
סלע refers specifically to a large rock, a boulder or a rocky structure.
Meaning: large stone or boulder (noun)
Which one should you use?
While סלע refers to a large rock or boulder, אבן is a more general word used for a stone of any size.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of סלע is סלעים.
How do you pronounce it?
sela
Did you know?
- Modern Hebrew uses סלע in the term סלע קשיח to describe 'hard rock' music, borrowing the English conceptualization of the genre.
- The root of סלע relates to the idea of a cleft or fissure, reflecting how rocks are often split in nature.
- The word סלע appears in the Bible to describe the 'Rock of Israel', a metaphor for divine strength and stability.
Examples in context
- טום שוכב על סלע גדול.Tom is lying on a large rock.This sentence shows how to describe someone lying on a large סלע.Tatoeba #1957109 by Eldad, translation #1956369 by CK
- היא התחבא מאחורי סלע גדול.He hid himself behind a large rock.This sentence shows how to describe hiding behind a large סלע.Tatoeba #5827458 by fekundulo, translation #288235 by CK
- מפלצת שכבה על סלע ליד ראש ההר.A monster lay on a rock near the top of the mountain.This sentence shows the use of סלע when describing a location near a mountain top.Tatoeba #1423841 by MrShoval, translation #73091 by CK
- אֶבֶןThe ancient city was built upon a solid rock foundation.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries סלע, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
