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עברית
לשנות — meaning in English: To change
leshanot · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
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to change
מדענים
mad'anim
לשנות
leshanot
פרחו
parkhu
לארצות
le'aratsot
עתודה
atuda
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neutral
very common
Usage
Native Hebrew speakers commonly use the word לשנות when discussing personal changes, such as habits or opinions, and in academic or professional settings when proposing modifications to projects or policies. For instance, someone might say, 'אני רוצה לשנות את התוכנית שלי' (I want to change my plan) during a conversation about future goals.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is לשדרג (leshadreg), which means 'to upgrade.' While לשנות can refer to any kind of change, לשדרג specifically implies an improvement or enhancement. Therefore, choose לשנות when discussing general alterations and לשדרג when the emphasis is on making something better.
Culture
The root of לשנות comes from the Hebrew verb ש-נ-ה (shin-nun-he), which means 'to change' or 'to alter.' This word holds cultural significance as it is often associated with transformation, a key theme in Jewish texts, symbolizing both personal growth and societal evolution. Interestingly, the concept of change is so integral in Hebrew that it appears in expressions about repentance and renewal, highlighting its importance.
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