זמן
zmán/zman/
In Hebrew, the word for time is זמן (zmán).
זמן is used to refer to the measurement of a quantity of time.
Meaning: measurement of a quantity of time (noun)
Which one should you use?
While זמן refers to the abstract concept or duration of time, פעם is used to refer to a specific instance or 'a time' (e.g., 'one time').
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of זמן is זמנים, which means 'times' or 'time periods'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced zmán (/zman/).
Did you know?
- The word זמן was borrowed into Hebrew from Aramaic, which in turn took it from Old Persian.
- When expressing 'it is time', Hebrew speakers say הגיע הזמן, which literally means 'the time has arrived'.
- While זמן is the standard noun, the word עת is a more poetic or formal synonym used in literature and religious contexts to describe a specific 'season' or 'moment'.
Examples in context
- זה זמן לא טוב.It's a bad time.This sentence is useful for using זמן to describe a bad time.Tatoeba #1702893 by MrShoval, translation #1702609 by Spamster
- יש לנו די זמן.We have enough time.This sentence is useful for using זמן to express having enough time.Tatoeba #1704995 by MrShoval, translation #263985 by CK
- יש לך קצת זמן?Do you have some time?This sentence is useful for using זמן to ask if someone has some time.Tatoeba #1814026 by Eldad, translation #64449 by CK
- 812 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noam and Agar are discussing when to start a project.
- נועם Noamמתי יהיה לנו זמן להתחיל?Matai yihye lanu zman lehatkhil?When will we have time to start?
- עגור Adiאני חושבת שיהיה לנו זמן מחר.Ani khoshevet sheyihye lanu zman makhar.I think we will have time tomorrow.
- נועם Noamזה ייתן לנו מספיק זמן.Ze yiten lanu maspik zman.That will give us enough time.
- עגור Adiבדיוק, נראה בוקר מחר.Bidiuk, nir'e bokher makhar.Exactly, we'll see tomorrow morning.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry זמן, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries זמן, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
