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לקנות — meaning in English: buy

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

Guess the translation for buy
לקנות
liknot
בחזרה
bechazara
תמשיך
tamshich
נעים
na'im
נותן
noten
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neutral very common
Usage
Native Hebrew speakers commonly use 'לקנות' (liknot) in everyday situations such as shopping at a market, discussing purchases with friends, or while negotiating in a store. For instance, you might hear someone say 'אני רוצה לקנות לחם' (I want to buy bread) while picking up groceries.
Synonyms & nuances
While 'לקנות' specifically means 'to buy,' another word, 'רכוש' (rekhush), refers to 'acquire' and is often used in legal contexts. You would choose 'לקנות' when talking about everyday purchases, but 'רכוש' might be more appropriate when discussing assets or property.
Culture
'לקנות' has roots in the Hebrew word 'קנייה' (kniyah), meaning purchase or acquisition. This verb embodies the culture of commerce in Israel, where bustling markets and malls are hubs of social life. The evolution of the word reflects both ancient trade practices and modern consumerism, highlighting how buying has always been central to daily life.
FAQ
Q.What is the pronunciation of לקנות?
'לקנות' is pronounced as 'liknot.' The 'l' is pronounced like the English 'l,' and the 'kn' is a unique combination that can be tricky for English speakers, but it sounds like 'kn' in 'knead.'
Q.How do you conjugate לקנות in present tense?
In the present tense, you would say 'אני קונה' (ani konah for female speakers and ani koneh for male speakers), which means 'I am buying.' The verb changes based on the subject's gender and number.
Q.Can לקנות be used in a formal context?
Yes, 'לקנות' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing or speech, you might opt for synonyms like 'רכוש' depending on the subject matter.
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