הם — meaning in English: they

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Guess the translation for they

לפי

lefi

הם

hem

נראה

nireh

שלכם

shelachem

האלו

ha'elu

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neutral very common

Usage

Native Hebrew speakers commonly use 'הם' (hem) in everyday conversations when referring to a group of people or objects. For instance, you might hear it in a sentence like 'הם הולכים לקולנוע' (They are going to the cinema) during casual discussions among friends or family, as well as in more formal settings like news reports.

Synonyms & nuances

'הם' (hem) is the standard way to say 'they' in Hebrew. In contrast, 'הן' (hen) is used specifically for a group of females. You would choose 'הם' when addressing or referring to a mixed-gender group or when the gender is unspecified.

Culture

'הם' (hem) is a basic and essential pronoun in Hebrew, used to denote the plural form of 'they'. It has roots in ancient Hebrew texts, connecting modern speakers to biblical traditions. Interestingly, Hebrew, being a Semitic language, often uses gendered pronouns, and 'הם' specifically refers to a masculine or mixed-gender group, reflecting the language's gendered structure.

FAQ

Q.How do you pronounce 'הם'?

'הם' is pronounced as 'hem', with a soft 'h' sound at the beginning. Practicing with native speakers or language apps can help with pronunciation.

Q.Can 'הם' refer to only females?

No, 'הם' is used for masculine or mixed-gender groups. If you're referring to an all-female group, you would use 'הן' instead.

Q.Is 'הם' used in formal writing?

'הם' is neutral and can be used in both spoken and written Hebrew, including formal contexts. However, it's essential to maintain proper sentence structure in formal writing.

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