סמוך — meaning in English: adjacent

samukh · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for near / confident (m.s.)

רכבת

rakhavta

סמוך

samukh

התפוחים

hatapu'khim

הלחות

halakhut

ממנו

mimenu

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Hebrew for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use 'סמוך' (samukh) when giving directions or describing locations, such as saying a restaurant is 'adjacent to' a park. It's also used in conversations about relationships, indicating closeness, like 'my house is adjacent to my friend's house.'

Synonyms & nuances

'סמוך' is similar to 'קרוב' (karov), which means 'close' in a more general sense. While 'קרוב' can refer to both physical and emotional closeness, 'סמוך' specifically denotes spatial adjacency, making it more precise for location-based discussions.

Culture

'סמוך' has roots in Hebrew that reflect a sense of proximity or closeness, both in literal and metaphorical senses. In Israeli culture, the idea of community and being 'adjacent' to one another is significant, as neighborhoods often foster close-knit relationships, making this word integral in social conversations.

FAQ

Q.How do you pronounce סמוך?

'סמוך' is pronounced 'samukh,' with a soft 's' sound at the beginning and the 'kh' pronounced like the 'ch' in 'Bach' or 'loch.'

Q.Can סמוך be used in a figurative sense?

Yes, while 'סמוך' primarily refers to physical adjacency, it can also imply closeness in relationships or situations, like being adjacent to someone's ideas or opinions.

Q.What are common mistakes when using סמוך?

A common mistake is using 'סמוך' when you mean 'קרוב' (karov), especially when referring to emotional closeness. Remember, use 'סמוך' for physical proximity.

Learn hebrew with Maspeak →

10.000 Hebrew Words