רוח
ruach
The Hebrew word for spirit is רוח (ruach).
רוח is used to mean spirit, soul or ghost. Depending on the context, it can also mean wind. If you want to refer to the concept of spirituality, the word is רוחניות. The phrase רוח הקרב is a common way to describe one's fighting spirit or morale.
Meaning: soul (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word רוח can literally mean wind, spirit or ghost.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of רוח is רוחות.
How do you pronounce it?
ruach
Did you know?
- The word רוח is a cognate of the Arabic word رُوح, showing that the concept of 'spirit' shares a common root across different Semitic languages.
- In Hebrew poetry, the word רוח is frequently used as a metaphor for emotional instability or 'wildness' because of its connection to the unpredictability of wind.
- Because רוח means both 'spirit' and 'wind', biblical passages often create intentional puns where a physical breeze represents a divine spiritual presence.
Examples in context
- גופי זקן, אך רוחי צעירה.My body is old but my spirit is young.This sentence shows how to contrast an old body with a young רוח.Tatoeba #1421362 by Eldad, translation #710917 by darinmex
- הקוסם ניסה להעלות באוב רוח.The magician tried to evoke a spirit.This sentence illustrates the use of רוח to mean a ghost being evoked.Tatoeba #13756408 by IMer, translation #13756407 by IMer
- מרי לא איבדה את רוח הקרב שלה.Mary hasn't lost her fighting spirit.This sentence demonstrates the phrase רוח הקרב to mean fighting spirit.Tatoeba #10757915 by fekundulo, translation #7375879 by CF
- הרוח הקדושהThe Holy Spirit
- טיפול רוחניSpiritual therapy
- איש רוחניSpiritual man
- אישה רוחניתSpiritual woman
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries רוח, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
