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עברית
לעיר — meaning in English: To the city
le'ir · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
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to a city
מהרגיל
meharagil
מתקפות
mitkafot
לעיר
le'ir
המודרני
hamoderni
תכופות
tkhufot
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informal
common
Usage
Native speakers often use 'לעיר' when discussing plans to go out, particularly in casual conversations among friends. For example, someone might say, 'Let's head לעיר for dinner tonight!' It's commonly used in both urban and suburban settings, where meeting in the city is a common social activity.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is 'לעיר הגדולה' (le'ir ha'gdolah), meaning 'to the big city.' While 'לעיר' is more general and can refer to any city, adding 'הגדולה' specifies a larger or more significant urban area, which might be used when contrasting between smaller towns and larger cities.
Culture
'לעיר' reflects a common cultural practice in Israel where cities serve as central hubs for social life, culture, and commerce. The word itself stems from the Hebrew root for 'city,' which is 'עיר' (ir), emphasizing the importance of urban life in Hebrew-speaking societies. Notably, many Israelis enjoy weekend outings to the city, highlighting its role in their lifestyle.
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