שְׁתַּיִם
sh'táyimfeminine
The Hebrew word for two is שְׁתַּיִם (sh'táyim). Wiktionary also lists שניים (sh'náyim) and שְׁנַיִם (sh'náyim).
Meaning: cardinal number 2 (num)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| שְׁתַּיִם | sh'táyim | feminine | |
| שניים | sh'náyim | /ʃiˈnajm/ /ʃe.nem/ |
|
| שְׁנַיִם | sh'náyim | masculine |
The word is used as a cardinal number to denote the quantity of two. It can also be used as a noun meaning a digit or a figure.
Which one should you use?
Hebrew uses different forms depending on the gender of the noun being counted. Use שְׁתַּיִם for feminine nouns and שְׁנַיִם or שניים for masculine nouns.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form שְׁתַּיִם is used when counting or modifying feminine nouns. The form שְׁנַיִם is used when counting or modifying masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
sh'táyim
Did you know?
- In modern Israeli slang, saying שנייה (the feminine form of 'second') is used to mean 'just a moment', regardless of whether a full second has passed.
- The number שניים is central to the Jewish concept of 'the two tablets' of the Ten Commandments, reflecting a biblical theme of duality and witness.
- The Hebrew word for 'two' shares a common root with many other Semitic languages, connecting it to the ancient Proto-Semitic form *ṯin-.
Examples in context
- תן לי יום או שניים.Give me a day or two.This example shows how to use שניים.Tatoeba #4441591 by schamsan, translation #3151554 by CK
- שיעור שניים הוא קל.Lesson Two is easy.This sentence uses שניים in the context of a numbered lesson.Tatoeba #6121791 by fekundulo, translation #276007 by CK
- אחד ועוד שניים הם שלושה.One plus two makes three.This is a mathematical example using שניים for the number two.Tatoeba #1440702 by MrShoval, translation #3680853 by AlanF_US
- שני התלמידים הם מאוד חכמים.The two students are very smart.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “two” translations and entries שניים, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries שניים, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
