I'm learning
עברית
שגוי — meaning in English: Erroneous
shagui · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
Guess the translation for
erroneous / wrong / incorrect
אפשר
efshar
ודאי
vada'i
עליהם
aleihem
שגוי
shagui
בודדים
bodedim
Skip this question
🎓
Learn Hebrew for free
Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.
Start learning →
neutral
common
Usage
Native speakers use the word שגוי (shagui) when discussing mistakes in academic or technical contexts. For example, a teacher might describe a student's incorrect answer on a test as שגוי, or an engineer may refer to a faulty calculation in a report as שגוי when discussing project errors.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is טעות (ta'ut), which means 'mistake.' However, שגוי (shagui) specifically emphasizes the erroneous nature of something that might have been presumed correct, often used in a more formal or technical context. You would choose שגוי when the mistake has implications that call for a more serious acknowledgment.
Culture
The word שגוי (shagui) comes from the root שגג, which means to err or to stumble. This root is significant in Jewish texts, where it often refers to unintentional mistakes in religious laws, highlighting the importance of intention in Jewish culture. It's fascinating to see how a concept of error transcends everyday language and taps into deeper philosophical discussions about human fallibility.
FAQ
