זרע
zará'/zaˈraʕ/
The Hebrew word for seed is זרע (zará').
In an agricultural context, זרע refers to any propagative portion of a plant that may be sown. Much like in English, the word can also be used metaphorically to describe the origin or the beginning of an idea or a movement.
Meaning: agriculture: any propagative portion of a plant which may be sown (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
זרע is a masculine noun. The plural form of זרע is זרעים.
How do you pronounce it?
zará'
Did you know?
- Hebrew distinguishes between the seed for planting זרע and the seed we eat as food, which is often called גרעין.
- In Biblical Hebrew, זרע is frequently used to mean 'offspring' or 'descendants' rather than just a botanical seed.
- Modern Hebrew uses the same root זרע to describe the act of broadcasting or scattering information, mirroring the physical act of sowing.
Examples in context
- זרע גדול נפל עלי.A big seed fell on me.This sentence shows how to use זרע when describing a seed falling.Tatoeba #9393521 by Alkrasnov, translation #7748016 by AmarMecheri
- זרע המהפכה הוא דיכוי.The seed of revolution is repression.This sentence demonstrates the metaphorical use of זרע regarding a revolution.Tatoeba #10718616 by fekundulo, translation #1142121 by DarkLinkXXXX
- תרמילי זרעים נופלים מהעץ כל הזמן.Seed pods keep dropping off the tree.This sentence uses the plural form זרעים to describe seed pods.Tatoeba #5453713 by fekundulo, translation #2298633 by AlanF_US
Example conversation
Agur and Ido are gardening together in the backyard.
- עגור Adiעידו, איפה שמת את הזרע?Ido, eyfo samta et ha-zera?Ido, where did you put the seed?
- עידו Idoהזרע נמצא בתוך השקית הקטנה.Ha-zera nimtsa be-toch ha-shakit ha-ktana.The seed is inside the small bag.
- עגור Adiאני רוצה לזרוע זרע של מלפפון.Ani rotza lizroa zera shel melafefon.I want to sow a cucumber seed.
- עידו Idoבואי נשתול את הזרע עכשיו.Boyi nishtol et ha-zera achshav.Let's plant the seed now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry זרע, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
