צב
tzav
The Hebrew word for turtle is צב (tzav).
The word צב refers to a land or marine reptile with a shell.
Meaning: land or marine reptile with a shell (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term צב ים is a compound noun used specifically to specify a sea turtle by adding the word ים (sea) after the word for turtle.
How does it change in a sentence?
צב is a masculine singular noun. The plural form of צב is צבים.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is tzav.
Did you know?
- In modern Israeli Hebrew, the word צב is used for both turtles and tortoises, as the language does not typically distinguish between the two in common speech.
- The modern Hebrew word צב may not have originally meant 'turtle' at all, but likely referred to a species of lizard called a mastigure.
Examples in context
- חיכינו שביצי צב הים יבקעו.We waited for the sea turtle eggs to hatch.This sentence shows how to use the word צב when referring to sea turtles.Tatoeba #13761111 by IMer, translation #13761110 by IMer
- תקני לי צב, אמא, בבקשה תקני לי צב!Buy me a turtle, Mom, please buy me a turtle!This sentence shows a request to buy a צב.Tatoeba #1338606 by Eldad, translation #1338610 by Eldad
- יש לי צב.I have a turtle.This sentence shows how to state that you possess a צב.Tatoeba #13578626 by rul, translation #11130992 by carlosalberto
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rotem and Daniel are at the aquarium.
- רוטם Rotemדניאל, תראה את הצב הגדול ההוא!Daniel, t're et ha'tzav ha'gadol ha'hu!Daniel, look at that big turtle!
- דניאל Danielהוא ממש מרשים, רוטם.Hu mamash marshim, Rotem.It is really impressive, Rotem.
- רוטם Rotemהוא שוחה לאט מאוד בתוך המים.Hu sho'he le'at me'od be'tokh ha'mayim.It swims very slowly in the water.
- דניאל Danielזה נראה כמו צב אמיתי מהספרים.Ze nir'e kmo tzav amit'i me'ha'sfarim.It looks like a real turtle from the books.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries צב, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
