שוטר — meaning in English: Cop

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

Guess the translation for policeman

באמצעים

be'emtsa'im

שוטר

shoter

בגן

began

משלימים

mashlimim

בבניית

bivniyat

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 in Israel frequently use the word שוטר (shoter) in everyday conversations, especially when discussing law enforcement or public safety. For instance, you might hear it in a news report about police activity, or in casual discussions about crime and community safety.

Synonyms & nuances

While שוטר (shoter) specifically refers to a police officer, another word, משטרתי (mishtarti), denotes something related to police forces, like a police vehicle or unit. Use שוטר when referring to the individual officer, and opt for משטרתי when the focus is more on the institutional aspect.

Culture

The term שוטר (shoter) has its roots in the Hebrew Bible, where it referred to a 'guard' or 'watchman'. Historically, the role of a shoter was crucial in ancient Israelite society for maintaining order. Interestingly, the modern use of the word reflects both a traditional respect for law enforcement and a contemporary dialogue about police and community relations in Israel today.

FAQ

Q.What is the plural form of שוטר?

The plural form of שוטר is שוטרים (shotrim). You would use it when talking about multiple police officers, such as 'The shotrim were at the scene of the accident.'

Q.How do you say 'female cop' in Hebrew?

In Hebrew, a female police officer is referred to as שוטרת (shotret). This gender distinction is common in Hebrew, where many nouns have separate forms for masculine and feminine.

Q.Are there any common phrases with the word שוטר?

Yes, a common phrase is 'השוטר עוצר אותי' (ha'shoter ozer oti), which means 'The cop is stopping me.' This phrase is often encountered in contexts discussing traffic stops or police interactions.

Learn hebrew with Maspeak →

10.000 Hebrew Words