שעון
sha'on
The English word "watch" (as a noun) is שעון (sha'on) in Hebrew.
שעון refers to a portable or wearable timepiece. It is a versatile word that covers both a small watch and a larger clock.
Meaning: portable or wearable timepiece (noun)
Which one should you use?
In English, people distinguish between a 'watch' and a 'clock', but in Hebrew, the single word שעון is used for both a portable watch and a wall clock.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of שעון is שעונים. If you want to be specific and refer to a wristwatch, you can use the phrase שעון יד, which literally means 'hand watch'.
How do you pronounce it?
sha'on
What mistakes should you avoid?
To express the act of watching something (the verb), do not use שעון. Instead, use the verb לִצְפּוֹת.
Did you know?
- The modern word שעון was coined by the scholar Yechiel Michel Pines by adding the suffix ון to the word for 'hour'.
- An alarm clock is called a שעון מעורר, which literally means an 'awakening watch'.
- The word שעון shares a root with the Hebrew word for 'hour', which is שעה, making the connection between the time-keeping device and the measurement of time explicit.
Examples in context
- זהו שעון יקר ערך.This watch is of great value.This sentence is useful for describing the value of a שעון.Tatoeba #614372 by Eldad, translation #58911 by Dejo
- נתתי לו שעון זהב.I gave him a gold watch.This sentence is useful for describing a gold שעון.Tatoeba #1819762 by MrShoval, translation #260374 by CK
- איפה שעון היד שלי?Where is my watch?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of a שעון.Tatoeba #1616081 by MrShoval, translation #321500 by CK
- איפה ניתן למצוא שעון זול?Where can I find an inexpensive watch?
- לצפות בסרטTo watch a movie
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noam and Agur are talking about a gift.
- נועם Noamעגור, את רוצה שעון חדש?Agur, at rotza sha'on chadash?Agur, do you want a new watch?
- עגור Adiכן, אני מאוד צריכה שעון.Ken, ani me'od tzricha sha'on.Yes, I really need a watch.
- נועם Noamאיזה צבע של שעון את אוהבת?Eize tzeva shel sha'on at ohevet?What color of watch do you like?
- עגור Adiאני מעדיפה שעון בצבע כסף.Ani ma'adifa sha'on be-tzeva kasef.I prefer a silver-colored watch.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries שעון, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
