במעט — meaning in English: A little

bim'at · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for by a little

נמצאו

nimtse'u

הביצה

habitsa

במעט

bim'at

דמוקרטית

demokratit

שמאחורי

sheme'akhorei

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 'במעט' (bim'at) in everyday conversations to express a small quantity or degree. For example, when discussing how much sugar to add to coffee, someone might say, 'שמים במעט סוכר' (let's put in a little sugar). It's common in both casual and semi-formal settings, making it quite versatile.

Synonyms & nuances

'במעט' (bim'at) is often compared to 'קצת' (kzat), which also means 'a little.' While both can be used interchangeably, 'קצת' is more general and can apply to both countable and uncountable nouns, whereas 'במעט' carries a slightly more formal tone and is often used to emphasize the smallness of the quantity.

Culture

'במעט' (bim'at) has its roots in ancient Hebrew, where it was used in religious texts to signify modesty or humility. Interestingly, in modern Hebrew, it can also reflect a cultural tendency towards moderation, aligning with social norms that value restraint in expressing desires or needs.

FAQ

Q.How do you use 'במעט' in a sentence?

'במעט' is typically used before the noun it describes, such as in the phrase 'שוחחתי במעט עם חברים' (I talked a little with friends). It can also be used in various contexts to denote a small amount of something.

Q.Is 'במעט' used in formal writing?

'במעט' can be used in both spoken and written Hebrew, making it suitable for neutral and semi-formal writing, such as emails or essays.

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 'במעט'?

A common mistake is to confuse 'במעט' with 'מעט' (without the 'ב'). While both mean 'a little,' 'במעט' is more specific and often used in phrases, while 'מעט' can stand alone.

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