שבוע
shavúa'/ʃɔːˈvuːʕ/ [ʃɔːˈvuː.aʕ]
The Hebrew word for 'week' is שבוע (shavúa'). If unsure, use שבוע. Wiktionary also lists שָׁבוּעַ (shavúa).
Meaning: period of seven days (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| שבוע | shavúa' | /ʃɔːˈvuːʕ/ [ʃɔːˈvuː.aʕ] /ʃɔˈvuʕ/ [ʃɔːˈvuw.waʕ] |
|
| שָׁבוּעַ | shavúa | masculine |
The word refers to a period of seven days.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of שבוע is שבועות. To express the specific quantity of exactly two weeks, use the dual form שבועיים. The adjective form for 'weekly' is שבועי in the masculine or שבועית in the feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
shavúa' (IPA: /ʃɔːˈvuːʕ/). The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word שבוע shares the same root as the word for 'oath' in Hebrew. This connection reflects the ancient biblical tradition of a seven-day period being used to seal a solemn covenant.
- The plural form שבועות is also the name of a major Jewish holiday, 'Shavuot', which celebrates the giving of the Torah.
- In Israel, the work week traditionally begins on Sunday. Because of this, שבוע is often mentally mapped to a cycle that starts on the first day of the work week rather than Monday.
Examples in context
- לטום היה שבוע רע.Tom has had a bad week.This sentence is useful for describing a bad week using שבוע.Tatoeba #1809773 by MrShoval, translation #1093664 by CK
- זה היה שבוע ארוך.This has been a long week.This sentence is useful for describing a long week using שבוע.Tatoeba #3523213 by Ramiav, translation #3006680 by CK
- היה לנו שבוע ארוך.We've had a long week.Tatoeba #4659935 by fekundulo, translation #3309949 by CK
- אני הולך לארץ בשבוע הבא.I'm going to the country next week.
- היא עובדת חמישה ימים בשבוע.She works five days a week.
- 143 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noam and Agur are discussing their schedules.
- נועם Noamאני חופש לשבוע הבא.Ani chofesh lashavua haba.I am free for next week.
- עגור Adiבאמת? אני עובדת כל שבוע.Be'emet? Ani ovedet kol shavua.Really? I work every week.
- נועם Noamאת צריכה לנוח שבוע אחד.At tzricha lanuach shavua echad.You need to rest for one week.
- עגור Adiאני אנסה למצוא זמן בשבוע הזה.Ani anase lemtzo zman bashavua haze.I will try to find time this week.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “week” translations and entries שבוע, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
