Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| עוֹד מְעַט | ód m'át |
| בְּקָרוֹב | b'karóv |
| תֵּכֶף | tékhef |
In Hebrew, the choice of word for 'soon' depends on the expected timeframe and the nature of the event. עוֹד מְעַט is frequently used when waiting for a specific event or person to arrive or happen shortly. בְּקָרוֹב is often used for more formal or general announcements of things happening in the near future. תֵּכֶף is a common colloquial way to say 'soon' when it actually means 'in a moment' or 'right away'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase עוֹד מְעַט literally means 'still a little' or 'a little more'.
Which one should you use?
בְּקָרוֹב is often used for more formal or general announcements of things happening in the near future, whereas עוֹד מְעַט often implies a shorter, more immediate interval.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
בְּקָרוֹב is often used for more formal or general announcements.
How does it change in a sentence?
בְּקָרוֹב is an adverbial phrase constructed from the preposition בְּ (in) and the adjective קָרוֹב (near).
How do you pronounce it?
ód m'át
Did you know?
- While תֵּכֶף technically means 'immediately', in Israeli culture it is often used as a polite way to stall, sometimes meaning 'eventually' or 'when I get around to it'.
- The word קָרוֹב in בְּקָרוֹב is the same word used to describe someone who is 'close' or 'near' to you in a relationship.
- When a parent tells a child תֵּכֶף in Israel, it is often interpreted by the child as a 'maybe' rather than a promise of immediate action.
Examples in context
- הַאוֹרחַ יַגִּיעַ עוֹד מְעַט.ha'oreakh yagia od me'at.The guest will arrive soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soon” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
