מִטְרִיָּה
mitriáfeminine
The English word "umbrella" translates to Hebrew as מִטְרִיָּה (mitriá) or שמשייה.
Meaning: cloth-covered frame used for protection against rain or sun (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| מִטְרִיָּה | mitriá | feminine | |
| שמשייה | shimshiyá | /ʃimʃiˈja/ (Modern Israeli) | feminine |
Both words refer to a cloth-covered frame used for protection against the elements. However, the choice of word depends on whether you are protecting yourself from rain or from the sun.
Which one should you use?
While מִטְרִיָּה refers to an umbrella used for rain, שמשייה specifically refers to a sun umbrella or a parasol.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both מִטְרִיָּה and שמשייה are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
mitriá
Did you know?
- The word מִטְרִיָּה is a modern creation that mimics the sound of the word 'umbrella' in other languages, though it is built on the Hebrew root for 'rain'.
- If you are at a cafe and ask for a שמשייה, the waiter will likely bring you a large patio umbrella for the table rather than a handheld parasol.
- The suffix ־ייה used in שמשייה and מִטְרִיָּה is often used in Modern Hebrew to create new nouns for tools or gadgets that feel foreign or modern.
Examples in context
- אני צריך מִטְרִיָּה גדולה.ani tsrikh mitriya gdola.I need a large umbrella.
- האם יש לך מִטְרִיָּה שחורה?ha'im yesh lakh mitriya shakhora?Do you have a black umbrella?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “umbrella” translations and entries שמשייה, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
