כן ולא
ken ve'lo
The Hebrew phrase for "yes and no" is כן ולא (ken ve'lo).
This phrase is used to indicate that there is no simple "yes" or "no" answer.
Meaning: indicating there is no simple "yes" or "no" answer (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the word for 'yes' (כן) and the conjunction 'and' (ו) joined with the word for 'no' (לא).
How does it change in a sentence?
The 'and' in this phrase is the prefix וְ (ve), which is attached directly to the following word לא (lo).
How do you pronounce it?
ken ve'lo
Did you know?
- The word כן can also mean 'straight' or 'upright' in different contexts, reflecting a conceptual link between truth and standing straight.
- Adding ולא to a statement can be used as a hedging device in Israeli culture to avoid giving a definitive answer and avoid conflict.
- While כן is the standard word for 'yes', Hebrew has no single word for 'yes' that functions as a universal affirmative in every context, often relying on repeating the verb of the question instead.
Examples in context
- מה דעתך על ההצעה? – כן, אני מסכים לחלוטין.What do you think about the proposal? – Yes, I completely agree.
- התשובה היא כן ולא.ha'teshuva hi ken ve'lo.The answer is yes and no.
- זה נשמע כמו כן ולא.ze nishma kmo ken ve'lo.It sounds like yes and no.
Example conversation
Rotem and Noam are discussing if a movie was good.
- רוטם Rotemנועם, אהבת את הסרט?Noam, ahavta et ha-seret?Noam, did you like the movie?
- נועם Noamכן ולא, העלילה הייתה חלשה.ken ve-lo, ha-alila hayta khalasha.Yes and no, the plot was weak.
- רוטם Rotemאז אתה לא ממליץ עליו?az ata lo mamlits alav?So you don't recommend it?
- נועם Noamבכל זאת, המשחק היה מעולה.be-khol zot, ha-mishak haya meule.Still, the acting was great.
