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עברית
מכשול — meaning in English: obstacle
mikhshol · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
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obstacle / hurdle
מכשול
mikhshol
איטי
iti
בשנות
bishnot
שאיפה
she'ifa
המין
hamin
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neutral
common
Usage
Native Hebrew speakers often use the word מכשול (mikhshol) when discussing challenges in everyday life, such as overcoming obstacles in personal projects or during conversations about sports and competition. For instance, a student might say that a tough exam was a מכשול in their path to graduation, conveying the idea of a hurdle to be crossed.
Synonyms & nuances
While מכשול (mikhshol) means 'obstacle,' another word, אתגר (etgar), means 'challenge.' The difference lies in the implication; מכשול suggests a barrier to overcome, whereas אתגר conveys a sense of an exciting challenge to tackle. You'd use מכשול when referring to something that hinders progress, while אתגר would fit better in contexts of personal growth or skill development.
Culture
The word מכשול (mikhshol) has its roots in biblical Hebrew, where it appears in contexts relating to stumbling blocks, both literally and metaphorically. In modern Hebrew, it reflects the challenges one faces in daily life, symbolizing not just physical barriers but also social and emotional hurdles, echoing a shared human experience.
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