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עברית
גב — meaning in English: back
gav · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
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back
והכל
vehakol
הנפת
hanafat
גב
gav
עברה
avra
סביבתיים
svivatiyim
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neutral
very common
Usage
The word גב (gav) is commonly used in both everyday conversation and more formal settings. Native speakers often refer to one's physical back in contexts such as discussing health, exercise, or pain, such as saying, 'I hurt my גב after lifting weights.' It is also encountered in idiomatic expressions, for example, 'לשמור על הגב' (lishmor al ha-gav), meaning 'to have someone's back.'
Synonyms & nuances
While גב (gav) refers specifically to the back of the body, a similar term, עורף (oref), means 'nape' or 'back of the neck.' You'd use גב when discussing the entire back area, especially in health-related contexts, whereas עורף is more specific to the upper part.
Culture
Interestingly, the word גב (gav) has an ancient lineage in Hebrew, reflecting a deep connection with the human body and physicality in Jewish culture. In biblical texts, references to the 'back' often carry metaphorical meanings, signifying support or defense, which enriches the word's cultural significance.
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