אסיר תודה
asír todámasculine
The English word 'thankful' is expressed in Hebrew as אסיר תודה (asír todá).
אסיר תודה is an adjective used to describe a person who is showing thanks. While אסיר תודה describes the state of being thankful, the standard Hebrew noun used to say 'thanks' or 'thank you' is תודה.
Meaning: showing thanks (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase אסיר תודה literally means 'captive of thanks'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is אסיר תודה. For masculine or mixed groups, the plural form is אסירי תודה.
How do you pronounce it?
asír todá
Did you know?
- The word אסיר in the phrase אסיר תודה is the same word used for a 'prisoner' or 'inmate' in a jail.
- The root of תודה is shared with the Hebrew word for 'confession' used in religious contexts, such as וידוי.
- In modern Hebrew, אסיר תודה is considered more formal than simply saying אני מודה לך to be thankful.
Examples in context
- אני אסיר תודה על הכל.I'm thankful for everything.This sentence shows how to express being thankful for everything using אסיר תודה.Tatoeba #5563268 by fekundulo, translation #5244066 by CK
- אתה צריך להיות אסיר תודה שאתה בחיים.You should be thankful that you're alive.This sentence uses אסיר תודה to express that someone should be thankful for being alive.Tatoeba #6042983 by fekundulo, translation #2978167 by Hybrid
- הוא אסיר תודה על העזרה שלך.hu asir toda al ha'ezra shelcha.He is thankful for your help.
Example conversation
Noam is thanking Maya for her support during a difficult time.
- נועם Noamאני אסיר תודה על התמיכה שלך.ani asir toda al hatmicha shelach.I am thankful for your support.
- מאיה Mayaזה כלום, נועם. אני כאן בשבילך.ze klum, Noam. ani kan bishvilcha.It's nothing, Noam. I'm here for you.
- נועם Noamזה באמת היה חשוב לי.ze be'emet haya chashuv li.It was really important to me.
- מאיה Mayaאני שמחה שיכולתי לעזור.ani smcha she-yacholti la'azor.I am happy I could help.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thankful” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
