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ראשונה — meaning in English: First

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Guess the translation for first (f.s.)
לפלישה
laplisha
בדיון
bediyun
עופרת
oferet
המשרת
hamesharet
ראשונה
rishona
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neutral common
Usage
The word 'ראשונה' (rishona) is commonly used in everyday conversations among Hebrew speakers, especially when discussing events, achievements, or milestones. For instance, someone might say, 'זאת הייתה ההופעה הראשונה שלי' (This was my first performance) when recounting a memorable moment in their life.
Synonyms & nuances
While 'ראשונה' (rishona) translates to 'first,' another similar word is 'קודם' (kodem), which means 'before.' The key difference lies in their usage: 'ראשונה' emphasizes the ordinal position, while 'קודם' refers to temporal precedence, often used in different contexts.
Culture
'ראשונה' (rishona) has its roots in the Hebrew word 'ראשון' (rishon), which stems from the same root as 'ראש' (rosh), meaning 'head' or 'beginning.' This reflects the cultural emphasis on beginnings and firsts, which are often celebrated in Jewish traditions, such as the first day of school or the first Shabbat dinner.
FAQ
Q.How do you use the word 'ראשונה' in a sentence?
'ראשונה' can be used to describe anything that is the first in a series, such as 'הפגישה הראשונה הייתה מעניינת' (The first meeting was interesting).
Q.Are there other ways to say 'first' in Hebrew?
'ראשונה' is the feminine form of 'first.' The masculine form is 'ראשון' (rishon), which is used when referring to masculine nouns.
Q.What are common mistakes when using 'ראשונה'?
A common mistake is using 'ראשונה' with masculine nouns. Always match the gender: use 'ראשון' for masculine words and 'ראשונה' for feminine.
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