מותק
mótek
The Hebrew word for sweetheart is מותק (mótek).
מותק is used to refer to a person who is very much liked or loved. While it can be used for romantic partners, it is very commonly used by adults toward children as a term of endearment.
Meaning: a person very much liked or loved by someone (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
מותק is primarily used in informal, affectionate contexts. Another informal term of endearment is חמודי, which means "my precious" or "cutie".
How do you pronounce it?
mótek
Did you know?
- Hebrew uses מותק as a gender-neutral term, meaning it can be said to any person regardless of their gender.
- Unlike English where 'sweetheart' is often reserved for partners or children, מותק is frequently used by strangers in service industry roles, like shopkeepers, to be friendly.
- In modern Israeli slang, מותק is often used sarcastically between friends to indicate a playful or mock-condescending tone.
Examples in context
- מותק, אנחנו צריכים ללכת למכולת. חסר לנו חלב.Sweetheart, we need to go to the supermarket. We ran out of milk.This sentence shows how to use מותק when addressing someone to express a need to go to the supermarket.Tatoeba #1768106 by MrShoval, translation #837002 by nthkmf
- האהוב שלי, איך הייתי יכול לחיות בלעדייך?My sweetheart, how could I live without you?
- מתי אתה חוזר הביתה, חמודי?When are you coming home, sweetheart?
- היא מותק אמיתי.hi motek amiti.She is a real sweetheart.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel is thanking Agur for bringing him coffee.
- דניאל Danielתודה על הקפה, מותק.toda al ha-kafe, motek.Thanks for the coffee, sweetheart.
- עגור Adiאין בעיה, אני שמחה לעזור.ein be-aya, ani smecha la-azor.No problem, I'm happy to help.
- דניאל Danielאת תמיד כל כך נחמדה.at tamid kol kach nechemada.You are always so kind.
- עגור Adiגם אתה נחמד מאוד, דניאל.gam ata nechemad me-od, Daniel.You are very kind too, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry מותק, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
