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עברית
נגיפים — meaning in English: Viruses
negifim · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
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viruses
ייבוש
yibush
לשידור
leshidur
בחירה
bkhira
נגיפים
negifim
העלטה
ha'alata
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technical
common
Usage
Native speakers use the word נגיפים (negifim) predominantly in medical or scientific discussions, particularly when talking about disease outbreaks or health-related topics. For example, during a conversation about the flu season, someone might say, 'נגיפים של שפעת הפכו לנפוצים מאוד השנה' (The flu viruses have become very widespread this year).
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is 'וירוסים' (virusim), which is directly borrowed from the English 'viruses.' While נגיפים (negifim) might be used in a more technical or scientific context, וירוסים (virusim) can be more casual. Choose נגיפים when discussing specific viral illnesses in a formal setting.
Culture
The word נגיפים (negifim) stems from the root נגף (nigaf), which means 'to strike' or 'to hit,' signifying the disruptive impact viruses have on health. Interestingly, the concept of viruses in Hebrew also reflects a broader understanding of not only biological health but also cybersecurity, where the term is used metaphorically to describe harmful computer code.
FAQ
