אפשר — meaning in English: Allow

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Guess the translation for enabled / facilitated (m.s.)

ורצה

veratsa

חולים

kholim

משותף

meshutaf

ומטה

umate

אפשר

ifsher

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neutral very common

Usage

The Hebrew word אפשר (ifsher) is commonly used in everyday conversations when granting permission or expressing possibility. For instance, you might hear it at a café when a customer asks if they can change their order, or in a school setting when a teacher allows students to work in groups.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym to אפשר is יכול (yachol), which means 'can' or 'able to.' While אפשר conveys permission or possibility, יכול focuses on capability. You would use אפשר when asking if something is allowed, whereas יכול would be appropriate when discussing someone's ability to perform an action.

Culture

Interestingly, the word אפשר (ifsher) is derived from the root פ-ש-ר, which relates to the concept of possibility and feasibility in Hebrew. This word reflects the pragmatic nature of Israeli culture, where directness and clarity in communication are highly valued, often making it a go-to expression in both formal and informal contexts.

FAQ

Q.What does אפשר mean in Hebrew?

אפשר translates to 'allow' or 'possible' in English. It is a versatile word used for giving permission or discussing possibilities.

Q.How do you use אפשר in a sentence?

You can use אפשר in sentences like 'האם זה אפשר?' which means 'Is this possible?' or 'אפשר לדבר?' meaning 'May I speak?'

Q.Is אפשר formal or informal?

אפשר is considered a neutral word, making it appropriate for both formal and informal situations. You can use it comfortably in conversations with friends, as well as in professional settings.

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