לשעבר — meaning in English: former

leshe'avar · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for former / ex

לדרך

laderekh

לשעבר

leshe'avar

הישר

hayashar

הזה

haze

לשימוש

lashimush

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Hebrew for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word לשעבר (leshe'avar) when discussing past roles or identities, such as in a job title or a former relationship. For example, one might say, 'הנשיא לשעבר' (the former president) during political discussions or 'החברה לשעבר שלי' (my former girlfriend) in casual conversations.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym for לשעבר is 'קודם' (kodem), which means 'previous' but is often used in a more general sense. While both words refer to something that came before, לשעבר specifically denotes a former state or title, making it more suitable in contexts where historical roles or identities are discussed.

Culture

The word לשעבר (leshe'avar) has its roots in the Hebrew word 'עבר' (avar), meaning 'to pass' or 'to cross over,' which gives it a sense of something that has transitioned or changed. Its usage reflects the importance of history and past identities in Israeli culture, where acknowledging former roles or titles is common in both social and professional settings.

FAQ

Q.What does לשעבר mean in English?

The Hebrew word לשעבר (leshe'avar) translates to 'former' in English, typically referring to someone or something that was in a position or role in the past.

Q.How do I use לשעבר in a sentence?

You can use לשעבר to describe a past role or identity, such as 'המאמן לשעבר שלי' (my former coach) or 'המורה לשעבר' (the former teacher) to indicate someone's previous status.

Q.Is there a mistake I should avoid when using לשעבר?

A common mistake is to use לשעבר with current roles or identities. Remember, it should only describe something or someone that is no longer in that position.

Learn hebrew with Maspeak →

10.000 Hebrew Words