מתי
matái/maˈtaj/
The Hebrew word מתי (matái) means 'when'.
מתי is primarily used as an interrogative to ask 'when' or 'at what time'.
Meaning: as soon as, at the time that (conj)
Which one should you use?
While מתי is used to ask a question about time, it is not typically used in modern Hebrew as a conjunction meaning 'at the time that'. For that purpose, the prefix כש- is used instead. Additionally, the phrase באיזו שעה can be used to ask 'at what time' as a direct question, providing a more specific alternative to מתי.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
matái (/maˈtaj/)
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use מתי to mean 'when' in a relative sense, such as in the phrase 'When I was a child'. In Hebrew, you should use the prefix כש- instead for these types of conjunctions.
Did you know?
- The word מתי and the Arabic word 'matā' are linguistic cousins, both descending from the same ancient Semitic root used to inquire about time.
- The Hebrew prefix כש- is a linguistic Swiss Army knife, capable of functioning as 'when', 'while', or even 'as soon as' depending on the sentence context.
- While מתי is used for questions, the conjunction כש- is actually a shortened form of the phrase כשה-, which combines the word for 'as' with the definite article 'the'.
Examples in context
- מתי בנו את זה?When was it built?This sentence is useful for asking when something was built using מתי.Tatoeba #1160765 by Eldad, translation #66024 by CK
- מתי קנית את זה?When did you buy it?This sentence is useful for asking when someone bought something using מתי.Tatoeba #1705042 by MrShoval, translation #66301 by CK
- מתי יהיה לך נח?When would it be convenient for you?This sentence is useful for asking when a certain time would be convenient using מתי.Tatoeba #2247365 by MrShoval, translation #66325 by CK
- מתי נפגשים לקפה?When are we meeting for coffee?
- אימתי תתקשר אליי?When will you call me?
- 540 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are planning a time to meet for coffee.
- איתי Itayמתי את יכולה להיפגש מחר?matay at yechola lehipagesh machar?When can you meet tomorrow?
- נועה Noaאני פנויה אחרי השעה שתיים.ani pnuyah acharey hashaa shtayim.I am free after two o'clock.
- איתי Itayמתי יהיה לך הכי נוח?matay yihiye lach hakhi noach?When would be most convenient for you?
- נועה Noaבוא נחליט על שלוש.bo nachlit al shalosh.Let's decide on three.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry מתי, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries מתי, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
