טמא
tame
The Hebrew word for "unclean" is טמא (tame).
This adjective is used to describe something that is dirty, soiled or foul.
Meaning: dirty, soiled or foul (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form טמא is the masculine singular adjective. The feminine singular form is טמאה, and the feminine plural form is טמאות.
How do you pronounce it?
tame
Did you know?
- While טמא describes ritual impurity, the word for everyday physical dirt or filth is usually מלוכלך. Using טמא to describe a muddy floor would sound strangely archaic or religious to a modern speaker.
- In a religious context, טמא often refers to ritual impurity rather than physical dirtiness. A person can be perfectly clean and hygienic but still be considered טמא due to specific religious circumstances.
- The opposite of טמא is טהור, which means 'pure'. In ancient Israel, the process of moving from טמא to טהור often required a ritual immersion in a mikveh, a ritual bath.
Example conversation
Noam and Maya are discussing the cleanliness of a room.
- נועם Noamמאיה, החדר הזה נראה טמא.Maya, hachader haze nira tamah.Maya, this room looks unclean.
- מאיה Mayaאתה צודק, נועם. בוא ננקה.ata tzodek, Noam. bo nenake.You are right, Noam. Let's clean.
- נועם Noamאיפה נמצאים מסיחקים?eifo nimtza'im masichakim?Where are the cleaning supplies?
- מאיה Mayaהם נמצאים במטבח.hem nimtza'im bamitbach.They are in the kitchen.
