Welcome to Lesson 24 of the Modern Hebrew course from the Latinum Institute. In this lesson, we will explore the Hebrew conjunction אֲבָל (aval), which means "but" in English. This essential connecting word allows Hebrew speakers to express contrast, contradiction, or unexpected turns in conversation and writing.
For a complete index of all lessons in this course, please visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Definition: אֲבָל (aval) is a coordinating conjunction in Hebrew that introduces a contrasting statement or idea, similar to "but," "however," or "yet" in English. It typically appears at the beginning of a clause to signal that what follows contradicts or modifies what was previously stated.
FAQ Schema Q: What does אֲבָל mean in Hebrew? A: אֲבָל (aval) means "but" in Hebrew. It is a conjunction used to connect contrasting ideas or statements, similar to how "but" functions in English.
How this topic word will be used: Throughout this lesson, you'll encounter אֲבָל in various contexts and sentence positions. While it most commonly appears at the beginning of clauses, you'll see how it functions to create meaningful contrasts in everyday conversation, formal writing, and literary texts. The examples progress from simple contrasts to more complex narrative structures.
Educational Schema Type: Language Learning Material Subject: Modern Hebrew Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Conjunction - But (אֲבָל) Institution: Latinum Institute Format: Self-study Reading Lesson
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אֲבָל (aval) is the primary Hebrew word for "but" -
It functions similarly to English "but" in creating contrasts -
Usually appears at the beginning of the contrasting clause -
Essential for expressing opposing ideas in Hebrew -
Common in both spoken and written Hebrew
24.1 אֲנִי (a-ni) I רוֹצֶה (ro-tze) want לָלֶכֶת (la-le-khet) to-go אֲבָל (a-val) but אֵין (eyn) there-is-no לִי (li) to-me זְמַן (ze-man) time
24.2 הַיּוֹם (ha-yom) the-day יָפֶה (ya-fe) beautiful אֲבָל (a-val) but קַר (kar) cold מְאֹד (me-od) very
24.3 הוּא (hu) he חָכָם (kha-kham) wise אֲבָל (a-val) but לֹא (lo) not תָּמִיד (ta-mid) always צוֹדֵק (tzo-dek) right
24.4 רָצִיתִי (ra-tzi-ti) I-wanted לִקְנוֹת (lik-not) to-buy אֶת (et) [direct object marker] הַסֵּפֶר (ha-se-fer) the-book אֲבָל (a-val) but הוּא (hu) it הָיָה (ha-ya) was יָקָר (ya-kar) expensive
24.5 הִיא (hi) she מְדַבֶּרֶת (me-da-be-ret) speaks עִבְרִית (iv-rit) Hebrew אֲבָל (a-val) but עִם (im) with מִבְטָא (miv-ta) accent
24.6 הָאֹכֶל (ha-o-khel) the-food טָעִים (ta-im) tasty אֲבָל (a-val) but הַמָּנָה (ha-ma-na) the-portion קְטַנָּה (kta-na) small
24.7 לָמַדְתִּי (la-mad-ti) I-studied הַרְבֵּה (har-be) much אֲבָל (a-val) but עֲדַיִן (a-da-yin) still לֹא (lo) not הֵבַנְתִּי (he-van-ti) I-understood
24.8 הַדֶּרֶךְ (ha-de-rekh) the-road קְצָרָה (ktza-ra) short אֲבָל (a-val) but מְסֻכֶּנֶת (me-su-ke-net) dangerous
24.9 הֵם (hem) they עֲשִׁירִים (a-shi-rim) rich אֲבָל (a-val) but לֹא (lo) not מְאֻשָּׁרִים (me-u-sha-rim) happy
24.10 אֲנִי (a-ni) I אוֹהֵב (o-hev) love אוֹתָהּ (o-tah) her אֲבָל (a-val) but הִיא (hi) she לֹא (lo) not יוֹדַעַת (yo-da-at) knows
24.11 הַסֶּרֶט (ha-se-ret) the-movie מְעַנְיֵן (me-an-yen) interesting אֲבָל (a-val) but אָרֹךְ (a-rokh) long מִדַּי (mi-day) too
24.12 רָצִינוּ (ra-tzi-nu) we-wanted לָצֵאת (la-tzet) to-go-out אֲבָל (a-val) but הִתְחִיל (hit-khil) started לִרְדֹּת (lir-dot) to-descend גֶּשֶׁם (ge-shem) rain
24.13 הָעִיר (ha-ir) the-city גְּדוֹלָה (gdo-la) big אֲבָל (a-val) but הַתַּחְבּוּרָה (ha-takh-bu-ra) the-transportation נוֹרָאָה (no-ra-a) terrible
24.14 קָנִיתִי (ka-ni-ti) I-bought כַּרְטִיס (kar-tis) ticket אֲבָל (a-val) but הַהַצָּגָה (ha-ha-tza-ga) the-show בֻּטְּלָה (bu-te-la) was-cancelled
24.15 הִיא (hi) she יְפֵהפִיָּה (ye-fey-fi-ya) beautiful אֲבָל (a-val) but גַּם (gam) also חֲכָמָה (kha-kha-ma) wise
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24.1 אֲנִי רוֹצֶה לָלֶכֶת אֲבָל אֵין לִי זְמַן. I want to go but I don't have time.
24.2 הַיּוֹם יָפֶה אֲבָל קַר מְאֹד. Today is beautiful but very cold.
24.3 הוּא חָכָם אֲבָל לֹא תָּמִיד צוֹדֵק. He is wise but not always right.
24.4 רָצִיתִי לִקְנוֹת אֶת הַסֵּפֶר אֲבָל הוּא הָיָה יָקָר. I wanted to buy the book but it was expensive.
24.5 הִיא מְדַבֶּרֶת עִבְרִית אֲבָל עִם מִבְטָא. She speaks Hebrew but with an accent.
24.6 הָאֹכֶל טָעִים אֲבָל הַמָּנָה קְטַנָּה. The food is tasty but the portion is small.
24.7 לָמַדְתִּי הַרְבֵּה אֲבָל עֲדַיִן לֹא הֵבַנְתִּי. I studied a lot but still didn't understand.
24.8 הַדֶּרֶךְ קְצָרָה אֲבָל מְסֻכֶּנֶת. The road is short but dangerous.
24.9 הֵם עֲשִׁירִים אֲבָל לֹא מְאֻשָּׁרִים. They are rich but not happy.
24.10 אֲנִי אוֹהֵב אוֹתָהּ אֲבָל הִיא לֹא יוֹדַעַת. I love her but she doesn't know.
24.11 הַסֶּרֶט מְעַנְיֵן אֲבָל אָרֹךְ מִדַּי. The movie is interesting but too long.
24.12 רָצִינוּ לָצֵאת אֲבָל הִתְחִיל לִרְדֹּת גֶּשֶׁם. We wanted to go out but it started raining.
24.13 הָעִיר גְּדוֹלָה אֲבָל הַתַּחְבּוּרָה נוֹרָאָה. The city is big but the transportation is terrible.
24.14 קָנִיתִי כַּרְטִיס אֲבָל הַהַצָּגָה בֻּטְּלָה. I bought a ticket but the show was cancelled.
24.15 הִיא יְפֵהפִיָּה אֲבָל גַּם חֲכָמָה. She is beautiful but also wise.
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24.1 אֲנִי רוֹצֶה לָלֶכֶת אֲבָל אֵין לִי זְמַן.
24.2 הַיּוֹם יָפֶה אֲבָל קַר מְאֹד.
24.3 הוּא חָכָם אֲבָל לֹא תָּמִיד צוֹדֵק.
24.4 רָצִיתִי לִקְנוֹת אֶת הַסֵּפֶר אֲבָל הוּא הָיָה יָקָר.
24.5 הִיא מְדַבֶּרֶת עִבְרִית אֲבָל עִם מִבְטָא.
24.6 הָאֹכֶל טָעִים אֲבָל הַמָּנָה קְטַנָּה.
24.7 לָמַדְתִּי הַרְבֵּה אֲבָל עֲדַיִן לֹא הֵבַנְתִּי.
24.8 הַדֶּרֶךְ קְצָרָה אֲבָל מְסֻכֶּנֶת.
24.9 הֵם עֲשִׁירִים אֲבָל לֹא מְאֻשָּׁרִים.
24.10 אֲנִי אוֹהֵב אוֹתָהּ אֲבָל הִיא לֹא יוֹדַעַת.
24.11 הַסֶּרֶט מְעַנְיֵן אֲבָל אָרֹךְ מִדַּי.
24.12 רָצִינוּ לָצֵאת אֲבָל הִתְחִיל לִרְדֹּת גֶּשֶׁם.
24.13 הָעִיר גְּדוֹלָה אֲבָל הַתַּחְבּוּרָה נוֹרָאָה.
24.14 קָנִיתִי כַּרְטִיס אֲבָל הַהַצָּגָה בֻּטְּלָה.
24.15 הִיא יְפֵהפִיָּה אֲבָל גַּם חֲכָמָה.
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אֲבָל is a coordinating conjunction in Hebrew that functions very similarly to "but" in English. Here are the key grammatical points:
Basic Function: אֲבָל connects two contrasting statements or ideas. It typically appears between two independent clauses or phrases.
Word Order: Unlike English, where "but" can sometimes begin a sentence for emphasis, אֲבָל almost always appears between the two elements it connects. The standard pattern is: Statement 1 + אֲבָל + Statement 2
Punctuation: In Hebrew, אֲבָל is usually preceded by a space but not a comma (unlike English where we write ", but").
Common Mistakes: -
Overusing commas: English speakers often want to add a comma before אֲבָל because that's what we do with "but." In Hebrew, this is generally not done. -
Starting sentences with אֲבָל: While grammatically possible, it's less common in Hebrew than starting sentences with "But" in English. -
Confusing with אֶלָּא: אֶלָּא (ella) also means "but" but is used in the sense of "but rather" or "except." Don't confuse these two words. -
Pronunciation: The stress is on the second syllable: a-VAL, not A-val.
Comparisons with English: -
Both languages use the conjunction to show contrast -
English requires a comma before "but" in compound sentences; Hebrew doesn't -
English can use "but" at the beginning of sentences more freely -
Hebrew אֲבָל cannot be used as a preposition (like "all but one"), only as a conjunction
Step-by-Step Guide to Using אֲבָל: -
Complete your first statement or clause -
Add a space (no comma) -
Write אֲבָל -
Add another space -
Write your contrasting statement
Related Conjunctions: -
אֲבָל = but (general contrast) -
אֶלָּא = but rather, except -
אַךְ = but, however (more formal) -
אוּלָם = however, yet (literary) -
כִּי אִם = but rather (biblical/formal)
Grammatical Summary: -
Part of speech: Coordinating conjunction -
Position: Between contrasting elements -
Cannot be inflected (doesn't change form) -
No gender, number, or person variations -
Pronunciation: aval (stress on second syllable)
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The word אֲבָל carries interesting cultural weight in Hebrew beyond its grammatical function. In Israeli society, the use of "but" often reflects the complex, sometimes contradictory nature of life in the region.
Historical Note: The word אֲבָל appears in biblical Hebrew with the same meaning, showing remarkable consistency across millennia. This continuity links modern Hebrew speakers with ancient texts.
Conversational Culture: Israelis are known for their direct communication style, and אֲבָל plays a crucial role in this. The word allows speakers to acknowledge one point while immediately pivoting to their own perspective - a common feature in Israeli debates and discussions.
The "Yes, but..." Culture: There's a joke in Israel about the national phrase being "כֵּן, אֲבָל..." (ken, aval... - "yes, but..."). This reflects a cultural tendency toward debate, discussion, and seeing multiple sides of issues.
In Modern Usage: אֲבָל appears frequently in: -
Political discussions (acknowledging opponents' points before countering) -
Everyday negotiations (markets, business deals) -
Academic discourse (presenting balanced arguments) -
Family conversations (the famous Jewish tradition of discussion and debate)
Literary Tradition: Hebrew literature often uses אֲבָל to create dramatic turns or to express the complexity of Jewish experience - acknowledging hardship while maintaining hope, or recognizing challenges while affirming faith.
For English Speakers: Understanding אֲבָל helps you participate more naturally in Hebrew conversations. Israelis appreciate when non-native speakers can engage in the back-and-forth style of discussion that אֲבָל facilitates.
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From "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Hebrew translation by Aryeh Levin:
"אֲנִי (a-ni) I יוֹדֵעַ (yo-de-a) know כּוֹכָב (ko-khav) star אֶחָד (e-khad) one שֶׁבּוֹ (she-bo) where-in-it יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is אָדֹם (a-dom) red וָרֹד (va-rod) rose אֲבָל (a-val) but הוּא (hu) it רָחוֹק (ra-khok) distant מְאֹד (me-od) very וְלֹא (ve-lo) and-not תּוּכַל (tu-khal) you-will-be-able לָלֶכֶת (la-le-khet) to-go לְשָׁם (le-sham) to-there. יֵשׁ (yesh) there-are גַּם (gam) also מְקוֹמוֹת (me-ko-mot) places אֲחֵרִים (a-khe-rim) other," אָמַר (a-mar) said הַנָּחָשׁ (ha-na-khash) the-snake. "הֵם (hem) they יָפִים (ya-fim) beautiful אֲבָל (a-val) but קָשִׁים (ka-shim) difficult לְהַגִּיעַ (le-ha-gi-a) to-reach."
"אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ כּוֹכָב אֶחָד שֶׁבּוֹ יֵשׁ אָדֹם וָרֹד, אֲבָל הוּא רָחוֹק מְאֹד וְלֹא תּוּכַל לָלֶכֶת לְשָׁם. יֵשׁ גַּם מְקוֹמוֹת אֲחֵרִים," אָמַר הַנָּחָשׁ. "הֵם יָפִים אֲבָל קָשִׁים לְהַגִּיעַ."
"I know one star where there is a red rose, but it is very far and you cannot go there. There are also other places," said the snake. "They are beautiful but difficult to reach."
אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ כּוֹכָב אֶחָד שֶׁבּוֹ יֵשׁ אָדֹם וָרֹד, אֲבָל הוּא רָחוֹק מְאֹד וְלֹא תּוּכַל לָלֶכֶת לְשָׁם. יֵשׁ גַּם מְקוֹמוֹת אֲחֵרִים," אָמַר הַנָּחָשׁ. "הֵם יָפִים אֲבָל קָשִׁים לְהַגִּיעַ.
This passage beautifully demonstrates the use of אֲבָל in literary Hebrew. The snake uses אֲבָל twice to create a sense of unattainable beauty - first with the distant star containing a red rose, then with other beautiful but hard-to-reach places.
The first אֲבָל ("but it is very far") immediately undercuts the wonder of knowing about the star with the rose, creating the melancholic tone characteristic of "The Little Prince." The second אֲבָל ("They are beautiful but difficult to reach") reinforces the theme of beautiful things being just out of reach.
Notice how the translator maintains the French original's philosophical tone through the strategic use of אֲבָל. The conjunction here doesn't just connect ideas grammatically; it conveys the story's deeper message about the elusiveness of beauty and desire.
For English speakers learning Hebrew, this passage shows how אֲבָל functions identically to "but" in creating literary effects. The parallel structure (something wonderful + אֲבָל + something limiting) is a common pattern in both languages for expressing bittersweet truths.
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24.16 הַמֶּמְשָׁלָה (ha-mem-sha-la) the-government הִבְטִיחָה (hiv-ti-kha) promised רֶפוֹרְמוֹת (re-for-mot) reforms אֲבָל (a-val) but הַמְּחָאָה (ha-me-kha-a) the-protest נִמְשֶׁכֶת (nim-she-khet) continues
24.17 הַכַּלְכָּלָה (ha-kal-ka-la) the-economy צוֹמַחַת (tzo-ma-khat) grows אֲבָל (a-val) but הַאַבְטָלָה (ha-av-ta-la) the-unemployment עֲדַיִן (a-da-yin) still גְּבוֹהָה (gvo-ha) high
24.18 הָרוֹפְאִים (ha-rof-im) the-doctors מְטַפְּלִים (me-tap-lim) treat בַּחוֹלִים (ba-kho-lim) in-the-patients אֲבָל (a-val) but חוֹסְרִים (khos-rim) lack מַשְׁאָבִים (mash-a-vim) resources
24.19 הַשָּׂרָה (ha-sa-ra) the-minister הִצְהִירָה (hitz-hi-ra) declared עַל (al) about שִׁיפּוּרִים (shi-pu-rim) improvements אֲבָל (a-val) but הַתּוֹצָאוֹת (ha-to-tza-ot) the-results אֵינָן (ey-nan) are-not בְּרוּרוֹת (bru-rot) clear
24.20 הַמַּדָּעִנִים (ha-ma-da-a-nim) the-scientists גִּילּוּ (gi-lu) discovered תְּרוּפָה (tru-fa) medicine חֲדָשָׁה (kha-da-sha) new אֲבָל (a-val) but הִיא (hi) it יְקָרָה (ye-ka-ra) expensive מְאֹד (me-od) very
24.21 הַטֶּכְנוֹלוֹגְיָה (ha-tekh-no-log-ya) the-technology מִתְקַדֶּמֶת (mit-ka-de-met) advances אֲבָל (a-val) but יוֹצֶרֶת (yo-tze-ret) creates בְּעָיוֹת (be-a-yot) problems חֲדָשׁוֹת (kha-da-shot) new
24.22 הַמְּנַהֲלִים (ha-me-na-ha-lim) the-managers תִּכְנְנוּ (tikh-ne-nu) planned הַכֹּל (ha-kol) everything אֲבָל (a-val) but הַמַּזֶג (ha-me-zeg) the-weather אֲוִיר (a-vir) air הִפְרִיעַ (hif-ri-a) disrupted
24.23 הַתַּלְמִידִים (ha-tal-mi-dim) the-students לוֹמְדִים (lom-dim) study מֵרָחוֹק (me-ra-khok) from-distance אֲבָל (a-val) but מַעֲדִיפִים (ma-a-di-fim) prefer כִּיתוֹת (ki-tot) classes רְגִילוֹת (re-gi-lot) regular
24.24 הַחֲבֵרָה (ha-kha-ve-ra) the-company הִרְוִיחָה (hir-vi-kha) profited מִילְיוֹנִים (mil-yo-nim) millions אֲבָל (a-val) but פִּיטְּרָה (pit-ra) fired עוֹבְדִים (ov-dim) workers
24.25 הַמִּשְׁטָרָה (ha-mish-ta-ra) the-police חָקְרָה (khak-ra) investigated אֶת (et) [object marker] הַמִּקְרֶה (ha-mik-re) the-case אֲבָל (a-val) but לֹא (lo) not מָצְאָה (matz-a) found רְאָיוֹת (re-a-yot) evidence
24.26 הָעִירִיָּה (ha-i-ri-ya) the-municipality בָּנְתָה (ban-ta) built פַּארְק (park) park חָדָשׁ (kha-dash) new אֲבָל (a-val) but שָׁכְחָה (shakh-kha) forgot מְקוֹמוֹת (me-ko-mot) places חֲנָיָה (kha-na-ya) parking
24.27 הַיַּצְרָן (ha-yatz-ran) the-manufacturer הֵבִיא (he-vi) brought מוּצָרִים (mu-tza-rim) products אֲבָל (a-val) but הַמְּחִירִים (ha-me-khi-rim) the-prices גָּבְהוּ (gav-hu) rose
24.28 הַמּוֹרִים (ha-mo-rim) the-teachers דָּרְשׁוּ (dar-shu) demanded הַעֲלָאַת (ha-a-la-at) raising שָׂכָר (sa-khar) salary אֲבָל (a-val) but הַמַּשָּׂא (ha-ma-sa) the-negotiation וּמַתָּן (u-ma-tan) and-discussion נִכְשַׁל (nikh-shal) failed
24.29 הַקְּהִילָּה (ha-ke-hi-la) the-community תָּמְכָה (tam-kha) supported בַּפְּרוֹיֶקְט (ba-pro-yekt) in-the-project אֲבָל (a-val) but הַתַּקְצִיב (ha-tak-tziv) the-budget נִגְמַר (nig-mar) ended
24.30 הַמּוֹמְחִים (ha-mum-khim) the-experts הִזְהִירוּ (hiz-hi-ru) warned מִפְּנֵי (mip-ney) from סַכָּנָה (sa-ka-na) danger אֲבָל (a-val) but הַצִּבּוּר (ha-tzi-bur) the-public הִתְעַלֵּם (hit-a-lem) ignored
24.16 הַמֶּמְשָׁלָה הִבְטִיחָה רֶפוֹרְמוֹת אֲבָל הַמְּחָאָה נִמְשֶׁכֶת. The government promised reforms but the protest continues.
24.17 הַכַּלְכָּלָה צוֹמַחַת אֲבָל הַאַבְטָלָה עֲדַיִן גְּבוֹהָה. The economy is growing but unemployment is still high.
24.18 הָרוֹפְאִים מְטַפְּלִים בַּחוֹלִים אֲבָל חוֹסְרִים מַשְׁאָבִים. The doctors treat patients but lack resources.
24.19 הַשָּׂרָה הִצְהִירָה עַל שִׁיפּוּרִים אֲבָל הַתּוֹצָאוֹת אֵינָן בְּרוּרוֹת. The minister declared improvements but the results are not clear.
24.20 הַמַּדָּעִנִים גִּילּוּ תְּרוּפָה חֲדָשָׁה אֲבָל הִיא יְקָרָה מְאֹד. The scientists discovered a new medicine but it is very expensive.
24.21 הַטֶּכְנוֹלוֹגְיָה מִתְקַדֶּמֶת אֲבָל יוֹצֶרֶת בְּעָיוֹת חֲדָשׁוֹת. Technology advances but creates new problems.
24.22 הַמְּנַהֲלִים תִּכְנְנוּ הַכֹּל אֲבָל מֶזֶג הָאֲוִיר הִפְרִיעַ. The managers planned everything but the weather disrupted.
24.23 הַתַּלְמִידִים לוֹמְדִים מֵרָחוֹק אֲבָל מַעֲדִיפִים כִּיתוֹת רְגִילוֹת. The students study remotely but prefer regular classes.
24.24 הַחֲבֵרָה הִרְוִיחָה מִילְיוֹנִים אֲבָל פִּיטְּרָה עוֹבְדִים. The company made millions but fired workers.
24.25 הַמִּשְׁטָרָה חָקְרָה אֶת הַמִּקְרֶה אֲבָל לֹא מָצְאָה רְאָיוֹת. The police investigated the case but found no evidence.
24.26 הָעִירִיָּה בָּנְתָה פַּארְק חָדָשׁ אֲבָל שָׁכְחָה מְקוֹמוֹת חֲנָיָה. The municipality built a new park but forgot parking spaces.
24.27 הַיַּצְרָן הֵבִיא מוּצָרִים אֲבָל הַמְּחִירִים גָּבְהוּ. The manufacturer brought products but the prices rose.
24.28 הַמּוֹרִים דָּרְשׁוּ הַעֲלָאַת שָׂכָר אֲבָל הַמַּשָּׂא וּמַתָּן נִכְשַׁל. The teachers demanded salary raises but the negotiation failed.
24.29 הַקְּהִילָּה תָּמְכָה בַּפְּרוֹיֶקְט אֲבָל הַתַּקְצִיב נִגְמַר. The community supported the project but the budget ran out.
24.30 הַמּוֹמְחִים הִזְהִירוּ מִפְּנֵי סַכָּנָה אֲבָל הַצִּבּוּר הִתְעַלֵּם. The experts warned of danger but the public ignored.
24.16 הַמֶּמְשָׁלָה הִבְטִיחָה רֶפוֹרְמוֹת אֲבָל הַמְּחָאָה נִמְשֶׁכֶת.
24.17 הַכַּלְכָּלָה צוֹמַחַת אֲבָל הַאַבְטָלָה עֲדַיִן גְּבוֹהָה.
24.18 הָרוֹפְאִים מְטַפְּלִים בַּחוֹלִים אֲבָל חוֹסְרִים מַשְׁאָבִים.
24.19 הַשָּׂרָה הִצְהִירָה עַל שִׁיפּוּרִים אֲבָל הַתּוֹצָאוֹת אֵינָן בְּרוּרוֹת.
24.20 הַמַּדָּעִנִים גִּילּוּ תְּרוּפָה חֲדָשָׁה אֲבָל הִיא יְקָרָה מְאֹד.
24.21 הַטֶּכְנוֹלוֹגְיָה מִתְקַדֶּמֶת אֲבָל יוֹצֶרֶת בְּעָיוֹת חֲדָשׁוֹת.
24.22 הַמְּנַהֲלִים תִּכְנְנוּ הַכֹּל אֲבָל מֶזֶג הָאֲוִיר הִפְרִיעַ.
24.23 הַתַּלְמִידִים לוֹמְדִים מֵרָחוֹק אֲבָל מַעֲדִיפִים כִּיתוֹת רְגִילוֹת.
24.24 הַחֲבֵרָה הִרְוִיחָה מִילְיוֹנִים אֲבָל פִּיטְּרָה עוֹבְדִים.
24.25 הַמִּשְׁטָרָה חָקְרָה אֶת הַמִּקְרֶה אֲבָל לֹא מָצְאָה רְאָיוֹת.
24.26 הָעִירִיָּה בָּנְתָה פַּארְק חָדָשׁ אֲבָל שָׁכְחָה מְקוֹמוֹת חֲנָיָה.
24.27 הַיַּצְרָן הֵבִיא מוּצָרִים אֲבָל הַמְּחִירִים גָּבְהוּ.
24.28 הַמּוֹרִים דָּרְשׁוּ הַעֲלָאַת שָׂכָר אֲבָל הַמַּשָּׂא וּמַתָּן נִכְשַׁל.
24.29 הַקְּהִילָּה תָּמְכָה בַּפְּרוֹיֶקְט אֲבָל הַתַּקְצִיב נִגְמַר.
24.30 הַמּוֹמְחִים הִזְהִירוּ מִפְּנֵי סַכָּנָה אֲבָל הַצִּבּוּר הִתְעַלֵּם.
The use of אֲבָל in news reporting follows specific patterns that English speakers should understand:
Structural Pattern: News reports in Hebrew frequently use אֲבָל to present balanced reporting. The typical structure is: -
Positive development/claim + אֲבָל + challenge/contradiction -
Official statement + אֲבָל + reality on the ground -
Achievement + אֲבָל + remaining problems
Journalistic Objectivity: אֲבָל serves as a tool for presenting multiple perspectives, which is essential in Hebrew journalism. It allows reporters to acknowledge official positions while introducing contrasting information or viewpoints.
Common News Phrases with אֲבָל: -
הִבְטִיחוּ... אֲבָל (they promised... but) -
הוֹדִיעוּ... אֲבָל (they announced... but) -
טוֹעֲנִים... אֲבָל (they claim... but) -
לְפִי הַדּוּ"חַ... אֲבָל (according to the report... but)
Tense Usage: Note that news Hebrew often uses past tense for recent events (unlike English present perfect), so אֲבָל frequently connects two past tense verbs in reporting recent news.
Word Economy: Hebrew news writing values conciseness. אֲבָל allows journalists to present contrasts efficiently without lengthy explanations.
Translation Note: When translating Hebrew news to English, אֲבָל can be rendered as "but," "however," "yet," or "although," depending on context. The choice affects the tone and emphasis of the English version.
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