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עברית
דמות — meaning in English: Character
dmut · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
Guess the translation for
image / figure / shape / character
משלים
mashlim
ושוב
veshuv
אולפני
ulpenei
ממאה
mime'a
דמות
dmut
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neutral
common
Usage
Native Hebrew speakers often use the word דמות (dmut) in discussions about literature and movies to describe a character's traits and role. For instance, in a book club, someone might say, 'The דמות of the protagonist is very complex,' signaling a deep dive into the character's motivations and developments. Additionally, in everyday conversations, this word can be used to refer to someone's persona, such as, 'He's a charismatic דמות in our community.'
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym for דמות is תוֹפֶסֶת (tofeset), which means 'role' or 'part,' but דמות implies a deeper, more fleshed-out character with distinct personality traits. You might choose דמות when discussing literature or film, while תוֹפֶסֶת could be more appropriate in a theatrical context.
Culture
The word דמות (dmut) has roots in the Hebrew Bible, where it often refers to shapes or forms, evolving into its modern usage to describe character traits. In Jewish culture, the study of characters from biblical texts and their moral lessons is significant, making this word a bridge between ancient texts and contemporary life. Interestingly, the concept of דמות also extends to discussions about identity and representation in the arts.
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