תשמור על עצמך
tishmor al atzmecha
The English phrase "take care" is translated into Hebrew as תשמור על עצמך (tishmor al atzmecha).
תשמור על עצמך can be used as a literal instruction to be careful, but it is most commonly used as a warm, affectionate way to say goodbye to a friend or loved one.
Meaning: good-bye (intj)
Which one should you use?
The form תשמור על עצמך is specifically the masculine singular form.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "take care" to a woman, use תשמרי על עצמך. To say it to a group of people, use the plural form תשמרו על עצמכם.
How do you pronounce it?
tishmor al atzmecha
Did you know?
- The word עצמך comes from עצם, which literally means 'bone'. To say 'yourself' in Hebrew is essentially to say 'your own bone'.
- While תשמור על עצמך is affectionate, using the verb לשמור in other contexts can relate to the 'keeping' of the Sabbath or the 'guarding' of a covenant.
- The grammar of תשמור על עצמך uses the future tense, which in Hebrew often functions as a polite imperative or a wish rather than a statement of future fact.
Examples in context
- תשמור על עצמך בכל מעשיך.Take care in whatever you do.This sentence shows how to use תשמור על עצמך to wish someone care in their actions.Tatoeba #5864402 by fekundulo, translation #413574 by blay_paul
- תשמור על עצמך.You take care now.This sentence is a simple way to use תשמור על עצמך when saying goodbye.Tatoeba #5841520 by fekundulo, translation #3330993 by CK
- תִּדְאַג לְעַצְמָךְ ונתראה מחר!Take care and see you tomorrow!
- תשמור על עצמך בנסיעה.tishmor al atzmekha ba'nesi'a.Take care on the drive.
Example conversation
Iti and Noa are parting ways at a bus stop.
- איתי Itayנתראה בשבוע הבא, נועה.nitra'e ba'shavu'a ha'ba, Noa.See you next week, Noa.
- נועה Noaבטח, איתי. תשמור על עצמך!betach, Iti. tishmor al atzmekha!Sure, Iti. Take care!
- איתי Itayתודה, גם את.toda, gam at.Thanks, you too.
- נועה Noaביי.bye.Bye.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
