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עברית
שמש — meaning in English: sun
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sun
שמש
shemesh
ושהוא
veshehu
שדה
sade
החצייה
hakhatsiya
בחלקה
bekhelka
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neutral
very common
Usage
Native Hebrew speakers commonly use the word שמש in daily conversations, especially when discussing the weather or planning outdoor activities. For instance, someone might say, 'היום השמש זורחת מוקדם' (Today the sun rises early) when talking about the time of day, or during typical summer outings to the beach.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is אור (or), which means 'light.' While שמש specifically refers to the celestial body, אור can refer to any source of light. You would use שמש when specifically talking about the sun, but if you want to emphasize the concept of light more broadly, or in a more poetic context, אור would be more suitable.
Culture
The word שמש originates from the Proto-Semitic root *šmš, which is the source of similar words in various Semitic languages, highlighting the sun's significance across cultures. In Jewish tradition, the sun is often associated with light and life, and it plays a crucial role in various rituals and holidays, such as Shabbat, when the setting sun marks the beginning of the Sabbath.
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