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עברית
השעה — meaning in English: the hour
hasha'a · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
Guess the translation for
the hour / the time
הקריאה
hakri'a
שכבות
shkhavot
בנגיף
banagif
השעה
hasha'a
השירותים
hasherutim
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neutral
very common
Usage
Native speakers commonly use the word השעה in daily conversations, especially when discussing time-related topics. For instance, you might hear it when someone asks, 'מה השעה?' ('What time is it?') or when scheduling a meeting, as in 'השעה שתיים' ('It's two o'clock').
Synonyms & nuances
While השעה specifically refers to 'the hour,' another word, זמן (zman), means 'time' in a broader sense. You would use השעה when talking about specific times, like when a bus arrives or a meeting starts, whereas זמן might be used to discuss more abstract concepts of time, like duration or timing of events.
Culture
The word השעה has roots in Biblical Hebrew, where time was often measured by natural events like the rising and setting of the sun. In modern Hebrew, it reflects the cultural importance of punctuality and schedules, especially in business and social contexts. Interestingly, Israelis often refer to time in a casual, conversational manner, showing a blend of both urgency and laid-back attitudes towards time management.
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