Language/Hebrew/Vocabulary/Time-and-Calendar

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Hebrew → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Everyday Hebrew Vocabulary → Time and Calendar

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the Hebrew vocabulary related to time and the calendar. Time is an essential aspect of any language, and understanding how to tell time and refer to specific dates is crucial for effective communication. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently express days of the week, months of the year, and tell time in Hebrew. We will cover the pronunciation, transliteration, and English translation of each word, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

Days of the Week

Let's begin by learning the Hebrew words for the days of the week. In Hebrew, the week starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday, just like in many other cultures. Here are the Hebrew names for each day of the week:

Hebrew	Pronunciation	English
יום ראשון	Yom Rishon	Sunday
יום שני	Yom Sheni	Monday
יום שלישי	Yom Shlishi	Tuesday
יום רביעי	Yom Revi'i	Wednesday
יום חמישי	Yom Chamishi	Thursday
יום שישי	Yom Shishi	Friday
שבת	Shabbat	Saturday

It's important to note that Shabbat, which corresponds to the Sabbath, is considered a special day in Hebrew culture. It is a day of rest and religious observance, and many people refrain from working and engage in spiritual activities.

Months of the Year

Next, let's explore the Hebrew names for the months of the year. The Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar, which means that it follows the cycles of the moon. This results in the Hebrew year being slightly shorter than the Gregorian calendar year. Here are the Hebrew names for each month:

Hebrew	Pronunciation	English
ינואר	Yanuar	January
פברואר	Februar	February
מרץ	Martz	March
אפריל	April	April
מאי	May	May
יוני	Yuni	June
יולי	Yuli	July
אוגוסט	August	August
ספטמבר	September	September
אוקטובר	Oktober	October
נובמבר	November	November
דצמבר	Dezember	December

Telling Time

Now, let's focus on learning how to tell time in Hebrew. The Hebrew language uses a 24-hour clock system, similar to many other languages. Here are some examples of how to express different times of the day:

Hebrew	Pronunciation	English
1:00	שעה אחת	Sha'a Achat	1 o'clock
6:30	שש וחצי	Shesh Vechetzi	6:30
9:15	תשע ורבע	Tisha Verba	9:15
12:00	שתיים עשרה	Shneym Asar	12 o'clock
17:45	חמישה עשר רבע	Chamisha Esreh Verba	17:45
20:30	עשרים וחצי	Esrim Vechetzi	20:30

To express minutes, we use the word "עשרה" (aserah) for 10 minutes, "חצי" (chetzi) for half past, and "רבע" (verba) for a quarter past or a quarter to the hour.

Cultural Insights

In Hebrew culture, the concept of time is deeply intertwined with religious and historical events. The Hebrew calendar follows the lunar cycle, which has significant cultural and religious implications. Jewish holidays and observances are determined by the Hebrew calendar, and they play a central role in Hebrew culture and traditions.

One interesting cultural fact is that Friday evening is considered a special time in Hebrew culture. It marks the beginning of Shabbat, the day of rest and spiritual reflection. Families gather for a festive meal called "סעודת שבת" (Seudat Shabbat) and light candles to welcome the Sabbath. This cultural practice is an essential part of Hebrew identity and is observed by many Jewish communities around the world.

Practice Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Complete the following exercises to reinforce your understanding of Hebrew time and calendar vocabulary.

Exercise 1: Match the Hebrew days of the week with their English translations.

• יום ראשון
• יום שני
• יום שלישי
• יום רביעי
• יום חמישי
• יום שישי
• שבת

Solution:

• Sunday
• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday

Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the correct Hebrew month names.

• ינואר
• פברואר
• מרץ
• אפריל
• _____
• יולי
• אוגוסט
• ספטמבר
• אוקטובר
• נובמבר
• דצמבר

Solution:

• May
• June

Exercise 3: Write the following times in Hebrew.

• 3:45
• 10:30
• 15:20

Solution:

• שלוש וְאַרְבָּעִים וָחֲמִשָּׁה
• עֲשָׂרָה וּשְׁלֹשָה עֶשְׂרֵה
• חֲמִישָׁה עֶשְׂרֵה וּעֲשָׂרָה עֶשְׂרֵה

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned the Hebrew vocabulary related to time and the calendar. Knowing how to express days of the week, months of the year, and tell time is essential for day-to-day communication in Hebrew. Keep practicing and using these words in context to reinforce your learning. In the next lesson, we will delve into the world of Hebrew grammar, focusing on nouns and pronouns.

Table of Contents - Hebrew Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Hebrew Alphabet

• Consonants
• Vowels
• Nikkud
• Reading Practice

  ---

Everyday Hebrew Vocabulary

• Greetings
• Numbers
• Family Members
• Colors, Shapes, and Sizes
• Food and Drink
• Clothing
• Transportation and Travel
• Weather
• Time and Calendar

  ---

Hebrew Grammar

• Nouns
• Pronouns
• Adjectives
• Verbs
• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Israeli Culture

• Jewish Holidays
• Israeli Society
• Famous Israelis
• Israeli Cuisine

  ---

Hebrew Expressions

• Common Phrases
• Slang
• Idioms

  ---

Hebrew Numbers

• Ordinal Numbers
• Fractions and Decimals

  ---

Hebrew Geography and Landmarks

• Cities and Regions
• Landmarks

  ---

Hebrew Literature and Language

• Hebrew Poetry
• Hebrew Proverbs

  ---

Grammar Review

• Review of Nouns and Pronouns
• Review of Adjectives
• Review of Verbs

Sources

• Hebrew calendar - Wikipedia
• Jewish Months Of The Year - The Hebrew Calendar - IvriTalk

Other Lessons

• Languages shefot שפות
• Greetings
• Fruits
• Time
• Nature
• Days of the week
• City
• Seasons
• Days of the Week

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