כן המפקד
ken hamefaked
The English phrase "yes sir" is translated into Hebrew as כן המפקד (ken hamefaked).
כן המפקד is used specifically in a military context to acknowledge an order. In a civilian context, one would typically just say כן or בטח depending on the situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the word for "yes" (כן) and the definite form of "the commander" (המפקד).
Which one should you use?
כן אדוני is another formal and direct way to say "yes, sir" and כן בוס means "yes boss" and can be used informally in a workplace setting.
How do you pronounce it?
ken hamefaked
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'sir' as a standalone honorific, saying אדוני (sir/my lord) to a superior in an Israeli military unit can actually sound overly dramatic or even sarcastic due to its heavy, formal weight.
- The word מפקד comes from the root פ.ק.ד, which relates to 'entrusting' or 'depositing' a responsibility, meaning the 'commander' is the one entrusted with the unit.
- Because Hebrew is a gendered language, a female commander would be addressed with a feminine version of the title, changing the phrase to כן המפקדת.
Examples in context
- כן המפקד, אגיע בזמן.ken ha-mefaked, agia ba-zman.Yes sir, I will arrive on time.
Example conversation
A soldier reporting to her commander during training.
- נועם Noamמאיה, תנקי את השטח עכשיו.Maya, tanki et ha-shetach achshav.Maya, clean the area now.
- מאיה Mayaכן המפקד, אני על זה.Ken ha-mefaked, ani al ze.Yes sir, I'm on it.
- נועם Noamאת יכולה להתחיל מהצד ימין.At yekhola le-hatchil me-ha-tzad yamin.You can start from the right side.
- מאיה Mayaכן המפקד, נביצע מיד.Ken ha-mefaked, navtze'a mi-yad.Yes sir, we will execute immediately.
