גם לך
gam lecha
The Hebrew phrase for "same to you" is גם לך (gam lecha).
You use this phrase to return a wish or a greeting that someone has just directed toward you, expressing that you want the same thing to happen to them.
Meaning: I wish to you what you have just wished to me (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of גם (also/too) and לך (to you).
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, the Hebrew form of "same to you" must change based on the gender and number of the person being addressed.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form גם לך (gam lecha) is used when speaking to a male. If you are speaking to a group of people, use the plural form גם לכם (gam lachem).
How do you pronounce it?
gam lecha
Did you know?
- The word גם might be linked to a root meaning 'much' or 'plenty', suggesting that when you say 'same to you', you are subconsciously wishing an abundance of that thing upon the other person.
- In casual Israeli slang, you might hear people skip the formal structure entirely and just say גם את/ה (gam ata/at), which literally means 'also you'.
- The word גם functions as a versatile tool in Hebrew, serving as both 'also' and 'even', which can change the nuance of a sentence unexpectedly.
Examples in context
- "סוף שבוע נפלא לך!" "גם לך!""Have a great weekend!" "Same to you!"This example shows how to respond to a weekend wish using גם לך.Tatoeba #5498446 by fekundulo, translation #5394444 by DostKaplan
- תודה, גם לך!Thanks! Same to you!This example shows how to use גם לך as a way to say thanks and return a wish.Tatoeba #2387963 by fekundulo, translation #6017033 by AlanF_US
Example conversation
Iti and Noa are saying goodbye after a coffee date.
- איתי Itayנועה, שיהיה לך יום נעים!Noa, she'ye'hiye lach yom na'im!Noa, have a pleasant day!
- נועה Noaתודה, גם לך, איתי!Toda, gam lecha, Iti!Thanks, same to you, Iti!
- איתי Itayתודה רבה.Toda raba.Thank you very much.
- נועה Noaנתראה בקרוב!Nitra'e be'karov!See you soon!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries גם, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
