I'm learning עברית

ראשון — meaning in English: First

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

Guess the translation for First
ראשון
rishon
הגיע
higi'a
אותו
oto
הבית
habayit
ידי
yadi
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 'ראשון' in everyday conversation to describe the first item in a sequence, such as 'ראשון במעלה' when referring to first place in a competition. In formal contexts, like announcements or news reports, it can denote the first occurrence or event, like 'הכנס הראשון' for 'the first conference.'
Synonyms & nuances
'ראשון' can be synonymously used with 'הראשון' (ha-rishon), which is a definite form and emphasizes specificity. While both terms convey the idea of 'first', 'ראשון' is often used in a more general sense, making it versatile for various contexts.
Culture
'ראשון' stems from the root ר-א-ש, which relates to the concept of being at the forefront or the beginning. In Jewish culture, the word holds significant importance, as the first day of the week is Sunday, known as 'יום ראשון' (Yom Rishon). This gives the word a sense of initiation and new beginnings.
FAQ
Q.What does 'ראשון' mean in English?
'ראשון' translates to 'first' in English, commonly used in contexts referring to order, rank, or time.
Q.How do you use 'ראשון' in a sentence?
You can say 'זה היה יום ראשון של החופש' which means 'It was the first day of the vacation.' This shows how to use it to denote time.
Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 'ראשון'?
Learners might mistakenly place 'ראשון' in contexts where a specific subject is needed, such as saying 'הראשון' instead of just 'ראשון' when referring to something already mentioned.
Learn hebrew with Maspeak →
1000 frequent Hebrew Words