רצו — meaning in English: They ran

ratsu · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for wanted (pl.)

בעצב

ba'etsev

רצו

ratsu

להסב

lehasev

הקולות

hakolot

מנוע

mano'a

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neutral very common

Usage

Native Hebrew speakers use the word 'רצו' (ratsu) when recounting stories about running events, such as races, or in everyday conversations about physical activities like playing sports. For instance, you might hear it when a parent asks their child why they were late, and the child replies, 'We ran to the bus!'

Synonyms & nuances

'רצו' (ratsu) specifically conveys the action of running away or towards something, while synonyms like 'הלכו' (halchu) mean 'they went' and can imply walking rather than running. Choose 'רצו' when emphasizing speed or urgency.

Culture

'רצו' (ratsu) reflects the dynamic and often fast-paced lifestyle in Israel, where running is not just a sport but a popular recreational activity. It is widely used in various contexts, from children's games in parks to adult marathons, highlighting the communal spirit of fitness in Israeli culture.

FAQ

Q.What is the past tense of 'to run' in Hebrew?

'רצו' (ratsu) is the past tense form for 'they ran.' In Hebrew, verbs change forms based on the subject pronoun, so for 'I ran,' you would say 'רצתי' (ratzti).

Q.How do you use 'רצו' in a sentence?

You can use 'רצו' in a sentence like, 'הילדים רצו אל הבית' (Hayeladim ratsu el habayit), which means 'The children ran to the house.' This structure is straightforward for constructing past tense sentences.

Q.Are there common mistakes with the word 'רצו'?

A common mistake is confusing the subject pronoun. Remember that 'רצו' (ratsu) is specifically for 'they,' so for 'he ran,' you would say 'רץ' (ratz) and for 'she ran,' it would be 'רצה' (ratzah).

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