אלים
alím/aˈlim/masculine
The Hebrew word for violent is אלים (alím).
The word is an adjective used to describe something involving physical conflict.
Meaning: involving physical conflict (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
Use the masculine form אלים, the feminine form אלימה or the masculine plural form אלימים. If you need to use the noun form for 'violence', use אלימות.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /aˈlim/. It is romanized as alím.
Did you know?
- The word אלים can be confused with the word אלים meaning 'gods' (plural of 'god'). The only way to tell them apart is through the context of the sentence or the vowel markings.
- If you are describing a 'violent' storm or a heavy wind, Hebrew speakers often prefer the word עז (strong/intense) over אלים.
- In modern Israeli slang, אלימה can be used to describe someone who is overly assertive or 'aggressive' in a social or professional setting, not just physically.
Examples in context
- לעולם לא אוכל להיות אלים.I could never be violent.This sentence shows the use of אלים.Tatoeba #5657097 by fekundulo, translation #3728564 by CM
- תום היה אלים כלפיך אי פעם?Has Tom ever been violent with you before?This sentence shows how אלים can be used.Tatoeba #5652922 by fekundulo, translation #3730625 by CM
- פשע אלים התפשט אל הפרברים.Violent crime spread into the suburbs.This sentence shows how אלים is used.Tatoeba #5740926 by fekundulo, translation #321225 by CM
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rotem and Noam are discussing a movie they just watched.
- רוטם Rotemהסרט הזה היה קצת אלים לטעמי.Ha-seret ha-ze haya ktsat alim le-ta'ami.This movie was a bit too violent for my taste.
- נועם Noamאת צודקת, היו שם יותר מדי קרבות.At tsodeket, hayu sham yoter midai kravot.You're right, there were too many battles there.
- רוטם Rotemזה הפך את הסרט להרבה יותר אלים מהספר.Ze hafakh et ha-seret le-harbe yoter alim me-ha-sefer.It made the movie much more violent than the book.
- נועם Noamאני מסכים, זה היה מיותר.Ani maskim, ze haya miyutar.I agree, it was unnecessary.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “violent” translations and entries אלים, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
