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ישנים — meaning in English: Sleeping

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Guess the translation for old (m.pl.)
טבח
tevakh
בצעירותו
bits'iruto
האינדוקציה
ha'induktsia
ישנים
yeshanim
תכניות
tokhniyot
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informal very common
Usage
The word ישנים (yeshanim) is commonly used in everyday conversations among Hebrew speakers when discussing sleep, particularly when describing someone's state of rest. For example, a parent might say to a child, 'The baby is ישנים (yeshanim),' when referring to a sleeping infant, or friends may joke about how tired they are and mention that they will be ישנים (yeshanim) soon.
Synonyms & nuances
The word ישנים (yeshanim) is a specific form of the adjective for 'sleeping', used primarily in the plural form. A close synonym is 'ישן' (yashan), which means 'sleeping' in the singular form. You would choose ישנים (yeshanim) when referring to multiple people or things that are sleeping, while you would use ישן (yashan) when speaking about one.
Culture
Interestingly, the word ישנים (yeshanim) shares its root with the Hebrew word 'לישון' (lishon), which means 'to sleep.' This connection highlights the importance of sleep in Hebrew culture, where phrases about rest often appear in proverbs and sayings. Additionally, the concept of a good night's sleep is so valued that many traditional customs and prayers in Judaism include references to sleep and rest, particularly in the context of preparing for the next day.
FAQ
Q.How do you say 'I am sleeping' in Hebrew?
In Hebrew, you would say 'אני ישן' (ani yashan) for males and 'אני ישנה' (ani yeshena) for females. This form indicates that you are currently in the act of sleeping.
Q.What is the feminine form of 'sleeping' in Hebrew?
The feminine form of 'sleeping' in Hebrew is 'ישנה' (yeshena). This is used when referring to a female subject who is sleeping.
Q.Can 'ישנים' be used in a formal context?
While ישנים (yeshanim) is primarily informal, it can be used in a neutral context when talking about sleep in general. However, in very formal writing, such as academic papers, other more specific terms might be preferred.
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