Sign up for your free daily dose!

Jun 11, 2012

how to say "to keep at a distance" in Hebrew


having trouble seeing the print?

לְהַרְחִיק, לְהִתְרַחֵק





The Hebrew root for distance is ר.ח.ק (r.kh.k); far is רָחוֹק (rah-KHOHK).


To move something or someone away is לְהַרְחִיק (leh-hahr-KHEEK). להרחיק is an active-causative הפעיל verb.


For example: 
הוּא הִרְחִיק אֶת הַזֶּבֶל מֵהַבָּיִת.
He distanced the garbage from the house. 
(hoo heer-KHEEK et hah-ZEH-vel meh-hah-BAH-yeet)




But if you wish to express distancing oneself from something or someone, the word is לְהִתְרַחֵק (leh-heet-rah-KHEK), a reflexive-intensive התפעל verb.


For example:
הִיא הִתְרַחֲקָה מֵהָרֵיחַ הָרַע.
She distanced herself from the bad smell.
(hee heet-rah-khah-KAH meh-hah-REH-ahkh hah-RAH)


Further build your
Hebrew vocabulary with...
with a special discount for
Ulpan La-Inyan enthusiasts like yourself