Welcome to Lesson 50 of the Modern Hebrew course! Today we explore מ־ (mi-/me-), the inseparable prefix that expresses comparison - the Hebrew equivalent of English “than.”
Unlike English, which treats “than” as a separate word, Hebrew conceptualizes comparison through the prefix מ־, which literally means “from.” This reflects a fundamental difference in perspective: where English says “bigger THAN,” Hebrew says “big FROM” - conceptualizing comparison as distance or separation rather than direct measurement. When a Hebrew speaker says גדול ממך (gadol mimkha), they’re literally saying “big from-you,” which translates to “bigger than you.”
The prefix מ־ is inseparable, meaning it must attach directly to the following word. It appears in several vowel forms depending on what follows: -
מִ (mi-) before most consonants -
מֵ (me-) before guttural letters (א ע ח ה ר) -
מְ (me-) in other contexts
When combined with the definite article ה־ (ha-), the prefix becomes מה־ (me-ha-), as in מהבית (me-ha-bayit) “than the house.”
Modern Hebrew typically uses יותר (yoter) “more” with adjectives in comparative constructions, though it can be omitted. The basic pattern is: [subject] + יותר + [adjective] + מ־ + [comparison object] or simply [subject] + [adjective] + מ־ + [comparison object].
In these 15 core examples and 15 narrative examples, you will encounter מ־ functioning as the fundamental marker of comparison, showing relationships between entities across physical, temporal, and abstract domains.
Link to course index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “than” mean in Modern Hebrew?
In Modern Hebrew, “than” is expressed through the inseparable prefix מ־ (mi-/me-), which attaches directly to the word representing the object of comparison. Unlike English “than,” which is a separate word, Hebrew מ־ conceptually means “from,” reflecting a different way of understanding comparison. The prefix changes form based on the following letter and combines with the definite article to create compound forms like מה־ (me-ha-).
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מ־ (mi-/me-) is the Hebrew comparative prefix meaning “than” (literally “from”) -
It is inseparable and must attach directly to the following word -
Often used with יותר (yoter) “more” but can stand alone -
Forms: מִ (mi-) before most consonants, מֵ (me-) before gutturals -
Combines with definite article: מ + ה = מה (me-ha-) -
Conceptually means “from,” showing comparison as separation -
Essential for all comparative constructions in Hebrew
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50.1a הוא (hu) he גבוה (gavoah) tall יותר (yoter) more ממני (mimeni) than-me
50.1b hu (hu) he gavoah (gavoah) tall yoter (yoter) more mimeni (mimeni) than-me
50.2a הספר (ha-sefer) the-book הזה (ha-ze) this טוב (tov) good יותר (yoter) more מהספר (me-ha-sefer) than-the-book ההוא (ha-hu) that
50.2b ha-sefer (ha-sefer) the-book ha-ze (ha-ze) this tov (tov) good yoter (yoter) more me-ha-sefer (me-ha-sefer) than-the-book ha-hu (ha-hu) that
50.3a היא (hi) she מהירה (mehira) fast יותר (yoter) more מאחותה (me-akhotah) than-sister-her
50.3b hi (hi) she mehira (mehira) fast yoter (yoter) more me-akhotah (me-akhotah) than-sister-her
50.4a הבית (ha-bayit) the-house שלי (sheli) my גדול (gadol) big מהבית (me-ha-bayit) than-the-house שלך (shelkha) your
50.4b ha-bayit (ha-bayit) the-house sheli (sheli) my gadol (gadol) big me-ha-bayit (me-ha-bayit) than-the-house shelkha (shelkha) your
50.5a היום (ha-yom) the-day חם (kham) hot יותר (yoter) more מאתמול (me-etmol) than-yesterday
50.5b ha-yom (ha-yom) the-day kham (kham) hot yoter (yoter) more me-etmol (me-etmol) than-yesterday
50.6a אני (ani) I צעיר (tsa’ir) young ממך (mimkha) than-you בשנתיים (bi-shnatayim) by-two-years
50.6b ani (ani) I tsa’ir (tsa’ir) young mimkha (mimkha) than-you bi-shnatayim (bi-shnatayim) by-two-years
50.7a הכלב (ha-kelev) the-dog שלי (sheli) my חכם (khakham) smart יותר (yoter) more מהחתול (me-ha-khatul) than-the-cat שלך (shelkha) your
50.7b ha-kelev (ha-kelev) the-dog sheli (sheli) my khakham (khakham) smart yoter (yoter) more me-ha-khatul (me-ha-khatul) than-the-cat shelkha (shelkha) your
50.8a הקפה (ha-kafe) the-coffee טעים (ta’im) tasty יותר (yoter) more מהתה (me-ha-te) than-the-tea
50.8b ha-kafe (ha-kafe) the-coffee ta’im (ta’im) tasty yoter (yoter) more me-ha-te (me-ha-te) than-the-tea
50.9a העבודה (ha-avoda) the-work קשה (kasha) difficult יותר (yoter) more ממה (mi-ma) than-what שחשבתי (she-khashavti) that-I-thought
50.9b ha-avoda (ha-avoda) the-work kasha (kasha) difficult yoter (yoter) more mi-ma (mi-ma) than-what she-khashavti (she-khashavti) that-I-thought
50.10a הדרך (ha-derekh) the-way הזאת (ha-zot) this ארוכה (aruka) long יותר (yoter) more מהדרך (me-ha-derekh) than-the-way הרגילה (ha-regila) the-usual
50.10b ha-derekh (ha-derekh) the-way ha-zot (ha-zot) this aruka (aruka) long yoter (yoter) more me-ha-derekh (me-ha-derekh) than-the-way ha-regila (ha-regila) the-usual
50.11a למדתי (lamadti) I-learned יותר (yoter) more מאשר (me-asher) than-what ציפיתי (tsipiti) I-expected
50.11b lamadti (lamadti) I-learned yoter (yoter) more me-asher (me-asher) than-what tsipiti (tsipiti) I-expected
50.12a הילד (ha-yeled) the-boy זקוק (zakuk) needs ליותר (le-yoter) to-more אהבה (ahava) love מכסף (mi-kesef) than-money
50.12b ha-yeled (ha-yeled) the-boy zakuk (zakuk) needs le-yoter (le-yoter) to-more ahava (ahava) love mi-kesef (mi-kesef) than-money
50.13a השיעור (ha-shi’ur) the-lesson היה (haya) was מעניין (me’anyen) interesting יותר (yoter) more משחשבתי (mi-she-khashavti) than-that-I-thought
50.13b ha-shi’ur (ha-shi’ur) the-lesson haya (haya) was me’anyen (me’anyen) interesting yoter (yoter) more mi-she-khashavti (mi-she-khashavti) than-that-I-thought
50.14a עדיף (adif) better לדבר (le-daber) to-speak פחות (pakhot) less מלדבר (mi-le-daber) than-to-speak הרבה (harbe) much
50.14b adif (adif) better le-daber (le-daber) to-speak pakhot (pakhot) less mi-le-daber (mi-le-daber) than-to-speak harbe (harbe) much
50.15a האמת (ha-emet) the-truth חשובה (khashuva) important יותר (yoter) more מהשקט (me-ha-sheket) than-the-quiet
50.15b ha-emet (ha-emet) the-truth khashuva (khashuva) important yoter (yoter) more me-ha-sheket (me-ha-sheket) than-the-quiet
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50.1 הוא גבוה יותר ממני hu gavoah yoter mimeni “He is taller than me.”
50.2 הספר הזה טוב יותר מהספר ההוא ha-sefer ha-ze tov yoter me-ha-sefer ha-hu “This book is better than that book.”
50.3 היא מהירה יותר מאחותה hi mehira yoter me-akhotah “She is faster than her sister.”
50.4 הבית שלי גדול מהבית שלך ha-bayit sheli gadol me-ha-bayit shelkha “My house is bigger than your house.”
50.5 היום חם יותר מאתמול ha-yom kham yoter me-etmol “Today is hotter than yesterday.”
50.6 אני צעיר ממך בשנתיים ani tsa’ir mimkha bi-shnatayim “I am younger than you by two years.”
50.7 הכלב שלי חכם יותר מהחתול שלך ha-kelev sheli khakham yoter me-ha-khatul shelkha “My dog is smarter than your cat.”
50.8 הקפה טעים יותר מהתה ha-kafe ta’im yoter me-ha-te “The coffee is tastier than the tea.”
50.9 העבודה קשה יותר ממה שחשבתי ha-avoda kasha yoter mi-ma she-khashavti “The work is more difficult than what I thought.”
50.10 הדרך הזאת ארוכה יותר מהדרך הרגילה ha-derekh ha-zot aruka yoter me-ha-derekh ha-regila “This way is longer than the usual way.”
50.11 למדתי יותר מאשר ציפיתי lamadti yoter me-asher tsipiti “I learned more than I expected.”
50.12 הילד זקוק ליותר אהבה מכסף ha-yeled zakuk le-yoter ahava mi-kesef “The child needs more love than money.”
50.13 השיעור היה מעניין יותר משחשבתי ha-shi’ur haya me’anyen yoter mi-she-khashavti “The lesson was more interesting than I thought.”
50.14 עדיף לדבר פחות מלדבר הרבה adif le-daber pakhot mi-le-daber harbe “It’s better to speak less than to speak a lot.”
50.15 האמת חשובה יותר מהשקט ha-emet khashuva yoter me-ha-sheket “Truth is more important than quiet.”
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50.1 הוא גבוה יותר ממני hu gavoah yoter mimeni
50.2 הספר הזה טוב יותר מהספר ההוא ha-sefer ha-ze tov yoter me-ha-sefer ha-hu
50.3 היא מהירה יותר מאחותה hi mehira yoter me-akhotah
50.4 הבית שלי גדול מהבית שלך ha-bayit sheli gadol me-ha-bayit shelkha
50.5 היום חם יותר מאתמול ha-yom kham yoter me-etmol
50.6 אני צעיר ממך בשנתיים ani tsa’ir mimkha bi-shnatayim
50.7 הכלב שלי חכם יותר מהחתול שלך ha-kelev sheli khakham yoter me-ha-khatul shelkha
50.8 הקפה טעים יותר מהתה ha-kafe ta’im yoter me-ha-te
50.9 העבודה קשה יותר ממה שחשבתי ha-avoda kasha yoter mi-ma she-khashavti
50.10 הדרך הזאת ארוכה יותר מהדרך הרגילה ha-derekh ha-zot aruka yoter me-ha-derekh ha-regila
50.11 למדתי יותר מאשר ציפיתי lamadti yoter me-asher tsipiti
50.12 הילד זקוק ליותר אהבה מכסף ha-yeled zakuk le-yoter ahava mi-kesef
50.13 השיעור היה מעניין יותר משחשבתי ha-shi’ur haya me’anyen yoter mi-she-khashavti
50.14 עדיף לדבר פחות מלדבר הרבה adif le-daber pakhot mi-le-daber harbe
50.15 האמת חשובה יותר מהשקט ha-emet khashuva yoter me-ha-sheket
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The Hebrew comparative construction revolves around the inseparable prefix מ־ (mi-/me-), which conceptually means “from” but functions as “than” in comparative expressions. This represents a fundamental difference from English: where English says “bigger THAN,” Hebrew says “big FROM” - conceptualizing comparison as distance or separation rather than direct measurement.
The Hebrew comparative follows these patterns: -
With יותר (yoter) “more”: -
[Subject] + יותר + [Adjective] + מ־ + [Comparison Object] -
Example: הוא יותר גבוה ממני (hu yoter gavoah mimeni) “He is more tall than-me” = “He is taller than me” -
Without יותר: -
[Subject] + [Adjective] + מ־ + [Comparison Object] -
Example: הוא גבוה ממני (hu gavoah mimeni) “He is tall than-me” = “He is taller than me” -
Alternative word order: -
[Subject] + [Adjective] + יותר + מ־ + [Comparison Object] -
Example: הוא גבוה יותר ממני (hu gavoah yoter mimeni)
All three patterns are acceptable in Modern Hebrew, with the first being most common.
The prefix מ־ changes its vowel depending on what follows:
Before most consonants: מִ (mi-) -
מִמְּךָ (mimkha) “than-you” -
מִכֶּסֶף (mi-kesef) “than-money”
Before gutturals (א ע ח ה ר): מֵ (me-) -
מֵאָב (me-av) “than-father” -
מֵעִיר (me-ir) “than-city”
With definite article: מְהַ־ (me-ha-) -
מְהַבַּיִת (me-ha-bayit) “than-the-house” -
מְהַסֵּפֶר (me-ha-sefer) “than-the-book”
With pronouns: The prefix attaches with connecting vowels -
מִמֶּנִּי (mimeni) “than-me” -
מִמְּךָ (mimkha) “than-you” (m.sg.) -
מִמֵּךְ (mimekh) “than-you” (f.sg.) -
מִמֶּנּוּ (mimenu) “than-him” -
מִמֶּנָּה (mimena) “than-her” -
מִמֶּנּוּ (mimenu) “than-us” -
מִכֶּם (mikhem) “than-you” (m.pl.) -
מִכֶּן (mikhen) “than-you” (f.pl.) -
מֵהֶם (mehem) “than-them” (m.) -
מֵהֶן (mehen) “than-them” (f.)
In more formal or literary Hebrew, מאשר (me-asher) can be used instead of the simple prefix: -
למדתי יותר מאשר ציפיתי (lamadti yoter me-asher tsipiti) “I learned more than I expected”
This construction is particularly common when comparing clauses or complex ideas rather than simple nouns.
יותר (yoter) literally means “more” and can: -
Precede the adjective (most common): -
יותר גבוה (yoter gavoah) “more tall” = “taller” -
Follow the adjective: -
גבוה יותר (gavoah yoter) “tall more” = “taller” -
Be omitted entirely: -
גבוה ממני (gavoah mimeni) “tall than-me” = “taller than me”
The omission of יותר is common in everyday speech when the comparative meaning is clear from context. With certain common adjectives like טוב (tov) “good” and רע (ra) “bad,” native speakers frequently drop יותר.
The superlative (expressing “most” or “-est”) uses:
הכי (ha-khi) + adjective + (optional context) -
הוא הכי גבוה (hu ha-khi gavoah) “He is the tallest” -
הוא הכי גבוה בכיתה (hu ha-khi gavoah ba-kita) “He is the tallest in the class”
An older, more formal construction uses: ה־ + adjective + ביותר (be-yoter) -
הגבוה ביותר (ha-gavoah be-yoter) “the tallest”
Comparing quantities: -
יותר מעשרה (yoter me-asara) “more than ten” -
פחות מחמישה (pakhot me-khamisha) “less than five”
Comparing actions (with infinitives): -
עדיף לקרוא מלראות טלוויזיה (adif li-kro mi-li-rot televizya) “It’s better to read than to watch television”
Comparing temporal expressions: -
יותר משנה (yoter mi-shana) “more than a year” -
מאוחר מהרגיל (me-ukhar me-ha-ragil) “later than usual”
Several Hebrew idioms use the comparative construction: -
טוב מאוחר מאף פעם (tov me-ukhar me-af pa’am) “Better late than never” (literally: “good late than-no time”) -
יותר טוב כך (yoter tov kakh) “It’s better this way” -
יותר מדי (yoter mi-day) “Too much” (literally: “more than-enough”)
Writing מ as a separate word: -
❌ מ בית → ✅ מבית
Missing the מה combination: -
❌ מ הבית as two words → ✅ מהבית recognized as מ + הבית
Using wrong form before gutturals: -
❌ מיאבא → ✅ מאבא
Forgetting that adjective doesn’t change form: Unlike English (-er suffix), Hebrew adjectives remain in base form: -
❌ “גבוהר” → ✅ גבוה יותר or simply גבוה
Confusing יותר placement: All three orders are valid, but be consistent: -
יותר גבוה ממני (most common) -
גבוה יותר ממני (also common) -
גבוה ממני (יותר omitted)
Comparative Formation in Modern Hebrew:
Simple Comparative: -
Pattern: [Subject] + (יותר) + [Adjective] + מ־ + [Object] -
Adjective remains in base form -
מ־ is inseparable prefix -
יותר is optional but common
Comparative with Pronouns: -
מ־ + pronoun suffix -
Forms: ממני, ממך, ממנו, ממנה, etc.
Comparative with Definite Nouns: -
מ־ + ה־ → מה־ -
Example: מהבית (me-ha-bayit)
Alternative Formal Marker: -
מאשר (me-asher) for clauses and formal contexts
Superlative: -
הכי + adjective (modern) -
ה־ + adjective + ביותר (formal)
Conceptual Difference: Hebrew uses “from” concept for comparison, not direct “than” equivalence. This reflects viewing comparison as separation/distance rather than direct measurement.
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The Hebrew comparative construction reveals something profound about how Hebrew speakers conceptualize difference and measurement. By using מ־ (literally “from”), Hebrew doesn’t simply say “X is bigger than Y” - it says “X is big FROM Y,” suggesting that the comparison establishes a point of origin or separation. This reflects an ancient Semitic way of thinking about relationships: everything has a source point, and measurements are distances from that source.
Everyday Conversation: In casual Modern Hebrew, speakers frequently drop יותר when the comparative meaning is obvious: -
אני גבוה ממך (ani gavoah mimkha) instead of אני יותר גבוה ממך -
הקפה טוב מהתה (ha-kafe tov me-ha-te) instead of הקפה טוב יותר מהתה
Formal Writing and News: Formal Hebrew tends to include יותר consistently and may use מאשר (me-asher) for literary effect: -
המצב קשה יותר מאשר ציפינו (ha-matsav kashe yoter me-asher tsipinu) “The situation is more difficult than we expected”
Literary Hebrew: Literature often plays with the comparative, sometimes using the older מִן (min) as a separate word for poetic effect, echoing biblical Hebrew.
The comparative construction is ancient, appearing throughout biblical Hebrew. The Book of Proverbs (Mishlei) is particularly rich with comparative wisdom: -
טוב שם משמן טוב (Ecclesiastes 7:1) “A good name is better than fine oil”
This biblical heritage means Hebrew speakers unconsciously carry millennia of comparative wisdom in their everyday speech.
Israeli Directness: Israelis tend to be direct in comparisons, not softening statements that might seem blunt in English: -
זה יותר טוב (ze yoter tov) - “This is better” (no need to add “I think” or “maybe”)
Competitive Academic Culture: Israeli academic and business culture frequently uses comparative constructions to discuss performance, rankings, and achievements: -
התוצאות שלנו טובות יותר מהשנה שעברה “Our results are better than last year”
Wisdom Sayings: Many modern Hebrew proverbs use the comparative: -
עדיף פעם אחת לראות מאלף פעמים לשמוע “It’s better to see once than to hear a thousand times” (equivalent to “seeing is believing”)
Modern Israeli Hebrew: Predominant use of מ־ prefix with flexible יותר placement
Traditional/Religious Communities: May preserve more biblical forms and use מִן (min) as occasional variant in religious contexts
Influences from Other Languages: Hebrew speakers whose first language was Russian, Arabic, or English may show subtle differences in יותר placement patterns, though all are grammatically acceptable.
The comparative marker appears in countless Hebrew idioms that express cultural values:
יותר מדי (yoter mi-day) - “too much” (literally: “more than enough”) Reflects Hebrew’s precise approach to quantity and sufficiency.
לא יותר, לא פחות (lo yoter, lo pakhot) - “no more, no less; exactly” Used to emphasize precision and truthfulness.
זה מה שיש literally “this is what there is” often said when something isn’t as good as hoped, reflecting Israeli pragmatism that accepts reality rather than demanding better.
Hebrew allows remarkable flexibility in comparative constructions:
Fronting for emphasis: -
ממני הוא יותר גבוה (mimeni hu yoter gavoah) “Than me, he is taller” (emphasizing the comparison itself)
Comparative without explicit comparatum: -
אני רוצה משהו יותר טוב (ani rotse mashehu yoter tov) “I want something better” (better than what is implied, not stated)
Stacked comparisons: -
זה טוב, אבל זה יותר טוב, וזה הכי טוב “This is good, but this is better, and this is the best”
The Hebrew comparative system, with its ancient roots and modern flexibility, reflects a culture that values precision in measurement while maintaining conceptual links to ideas of origin and separation - a grammatical structure that carries philosophical weight.
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A classical ethical text from the Mishnaic period (2nd century CE) that remains widely studied in Hebrew education:
איזהו (eizehu) who-is חכם (khakham) wise הלומד (ha-lomed) the-one-who-learns מכל (mi-kol) from-every אדם (adam) person איזהו (eizehu) who-is גיבור (gibor) strong הכובש (ha-kovesh) the-one-who-conquers את (et) ACC יצרו (yitsro) inclination-his איזהו (eizehu) who-is עשיר (ashir) rich השמח (ha-same’akh) the-one-who-is-happy בחלקו (be-khelko) with-portion-his
eizehu (eizehu) who-is khakham (khakham) wise ha-lomed (ha-lomed) the-one-who-learns mi-kol (mi-kol) from-every adam (adam) person eizehu (eizehu) who-is gibor (gibor) strong ha-kovesh (ha-kovesh) the-one-who-conquers et (et) ACC yitsro (yitsro) inclination-his eizehu (eizehu) who-is ashir (ashir) rich ha-same’akh (ha-same’akh) the-one-who-is-happy be-khelko (be-khelko) with-portion-his
איזהו חכם? הלומד מכל אדם. איזהו גיבור? הכובש את יצרו. איזהו עשיר? השמח בחלקו.
eizehu khakham? ha-lomed mi-kol adam. eizehu gibor? ha-kovesh et yitsro. eizehu ashir? ha-same’akh be-khelko.
“Who is wise? One who learns from every person. Who is strong? One who conquers their inclination. Who is rich? One who is happy with their portion.”
איזהו חכם? הלומד מכל אדם. איזהו גיבור? הכובש את יצרו. איזהו עשיר? השמח בחלקו.
eizehu khakham? ha-lomed mi-kol adam. eizehu gibor? ha-kovesh et yitsro. eizehu ashir? ha-same’akh be-khelko.
איזהו (eizehu): Compound of איזה (eize) “which” + הוא (hu) “he,” forming “who is”
מכל אדם (mi-kol adam): Perfect example of comparative/source construction -
מ־ prefix meaning “from” -
כל (kol) “every, all” -
אדם (adam) “person, human” -
Together: “from every person”
This passage doesn’t use the explicit comparative יותר...מ־ construction but demonstrates the deeper מ־ concept of source and origin. The wise person learns from (מ) every person, treating all humans as sources of potential wisdom - the same conceptual framework that underlies comparative constructions.
הכובש את יצרו (ha-kovesh et yitsro): -
הכובש (ha-kovesh): Present participle “the one who conquers” -
את (et): Accusative particle marking direct object -
יצרו (yitsro): “his inclination/desire” - refers to base impulses
השמח בחלקו (ha-same’akh be-khelko): -
השמח (ha-same’akh): Present participle “the one who is happy” -
ב־ prefix meaning “in/with” -
חלקו (khelko): “his portion” - what one has been given in life
This famous Mishnaic teaching (Pirkei Avot 4:1, attributed to Ben Zoma) represents one of the most quoted wisdom sayings in Hebrew literature. Its brilliance lies in redefining three fundamental human aspirations - wisdom, strength, and wealth - in ways that subvert conventional understanding.
The passage doesn’t use explicit comparative language with יותר מ־, but it employs a deeper comparative strategy: it answers “who is wise/strong/rich?” not with objective measures but with internal qualities that implicitly compare true versus false definitions of these concepts. The structure implies: “One who learns from every person is MORE wise than one who only learns from teachers” - the comparison is implicit but unmistakable.
The use of מכל אדם (mi-kol adam) “from every person” contains our lesson word מ־ in its source/origin sense rather than its comparative use. This shows the conceptual unity of Hebrew: the same prefix that says “bigger FROM” (comparison) also says “learns FROM” (source). This semantic range reflects how Hebrew sees relationships as directional - always with a point of origin.
This teaching has shaped Hebrew and Jewish culture for nearly two millennia. Its definitions challenge material success: true wealth isn’t having more than others (comparative), but being content with what you have (absolute). True strength isn’t overpowering others, but controlling yourself. True wisdom isn’t knowing more facts, but remaining humble enough to learn from everyone.
The rhetorical structure - three parallel questions and answers - creates a rhythm that makes the teaching memorable in Hebrew. Each definition moves from external (what others see) to internal (what you are), from comparative (measured against others) to absolute (measured against yourself).
In Modern Israeli culture, this teaching is frequently quoted in discussions about education, character development, and what constitutes success. It appears in school curricula, political speeches, and everyday conversation as a touchstone for Jewish/Israeli values that prioritize character over achievement, inner life over external measures - a counterweight to modern competitive culture that constantly compares, ranks, and measures individuals against each other using the very comparative constructions (יותר...מ־) that this ancient wisdom seeks to transcend.
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50.16a רחל (Rakhel) Rachel ודני (ve-Dani) and-Danny מחפשים (mekhapsim) searching מחשב (makhshev) computer חדש (khadash) new
50.16b Rakhel (Rakhel) Rachel ve-Dani (ve-Dani) and-Danny mekhapsim (mekhapsim) searching makhshev (makhshev) computer khadash (khadash) new
50.17a דני (Dani) Danny אמר (amar) said המחשב (ha-makhshev) the-computer הזה (ha-ze) this מהיר (mahir) fast יותר (yoter) more מהדגם (me-ha-degem) than-the-model הישן (ha-yashan) the-old
50.17b Dani (Dani) Danny amar (amar) said ha-makhshev (ha-makhshev) the-computer ha-ze (ha-ze) this mahir (mahir) fast yoter (yoter) more me-ha-degem (me-ha-degem) than-the-model ha-yashan (ha-yashan) the-old
50.18a רחל (Rakhel) Rachel ענתה (anta) answered נכון (nakhon) correct אבל (aval) but הוא (hu) he גם (gam) also יקר (yakar) expensive יותר (yoter) more
50.18b Rakhel (Rakhel) Rachel anta (anta) answered nakhon (nakhon) correct aval (aval) but hu (hu) he gam (gam) also yakar (yakar) expensive yoter (yoter) more
50.19a דני (Dani) Danny שאל (sha’al) asked כמה (kama) how-much יותר (yoter) more יקר (yakar) expensive הוא (hu) he מהדגם (me-ha-degem) than-the-model הקודם (ha-kodem) the-previous
50.19b Dani (Dani) Danny sha’al (sha’al) asked kama (kama) how-much yoter (yoter) more yakar (yakar) expensive hu (hu) he me-ha-degem (me-ha-degem) than-the-model ha-kodem (ha-kodem) the-previous
50.20a רחל (Rakhel) Rachel אמרה (amra) said כמעט (kim’at) almost אלף (elef) thousand שקלים (shkalim) shekels יותר (yoter) more
50.20b Rakhel (Rakhel) Rachel amra (amra) said kim’at (kim’at) almost elef (elef) thousand shkalim (shkalim) shekels yoter (yoter) more
50.21a דני (Dani) Danny חשב (khashav) thought אולי (ulay) maybe עדיף (adif) better לקנות (li-knot) to-buy משהו (mashehu) something פחות (pakhot) less יקר (yakar) expensive
50.21b Dani (Dani) Danny khashav (khashav) thought ulay (ulay) maybe adif (adif) better li-knot (li-knot) to-buy mashehu (mashehu) something pakhot (pakhot) less yakar (yakar) expensive
50.22a המוכר (ha-mokher) the-seller התקרב (hitkarev) approached ואמר (ve-amar) and-said זה (ze) this הדגם (ha-degem) the-model הטוב (ha-tov) the-good ביותר (be-yoter) most שיש (she-yesh) that-there-is לנו (lanu) to-us
50.22b ha-mokher (ha-mokher) the-seller hitkarev (hitkarev) approached ve-amar (ve-amar) and-said ze (ze) this ha-degem (ha-degem) the-model ha-tov (ha-tov) the-good be-yoter (be-yoter) most she-yesh (she-yesh) that-there-is lanu (lanu) to-us
50.23a הביצועים (ha-bitsu’im) the-performance שלו (shelo) his טובים (tovim) good יותר (yoter) more מכל (mi-kol) than-all המתחרים (ha-mitḥarim) the-competitors
50.23b ha-bitsu’im (ha-bitsu’im) the-performance shelo (shelo) his tovim (tovim) good yoter (yoter) more mi-kol (mi-kol) than-all ha-mitḥarim (ha-mitḥarim) the-competitors
50.24a רחל (Rakhel) Rachel שאלה (sha’ala) asked האם (ha-im) whether המסך (ha-masakh) the-screen גדול (gadol) big מהמסך (me-ha-masakh) than-the-screen שיש (she-yesh) that-there-is במחשב (ba-makhshev) in-the-computer הישן (ha-yashan) the-old שלי (sheli) my
50.24b Rakhel (Rakhel) Rachel sha’ala (sha’ala) asked ha-im (ha-im) whether ha-masakh (ha-masakh) the-screen gadol (gadol) big me-ha-masakh (me-ha-masakh) than-the-screen she-yesh (she-yesh) that-there-is ba-makhshev (ba-makhshev) in-the-computer ha-yashan (ha-yashan) the-old sheli (sheli) my
50.25a המוכר (ha-mokher) the-seller ענה (ana) answered כן (ken) yes המסך (ha-masakh) the-screen גדול (gadol) big יותר (yoter) more בשני (bi-shney) by-two סנטימטרים (sentimetrim) centimeters
50.25b ha-mokher (ha-mokher) the-seller ana (ana) answered ken (ken) yes ha-masakh (ha-masakh) the-screen gadol (gadol) big yoter (yoter) more bi-shney (bi-shney) by-two sentimetrim (sentimetrim) centimeters
50.26a דני (Dani) Danny אמר (amar) said אני (ani) I צריך (tsarikh) need לחשוב (la-khshov) to-think על (al) on זה (ze) this עוד (od) more קצת (ktsat) a-bit
50.26b Dani (Dani) Danny amar (amar) said ani (ani) I tsarikh (tsarikh) need la-khshov (la-khshov) to-think al (al) on ze (ze) this od (od) more ktsat (ktsat) a-bit
50.27a רחל (Rakhel) Rachel הסכימה (hiskima) agreed אנחנו (anakhnu) we צריכים (tsrikhim) need להשוות (le-hashot) to-compare את (et) ACC המחירים (ha-mekhirim) the-prices בחנויות (ba-khanuyot) in-stores אחרות (akherot) other
50.27b Rakhel (Rakhel) Rachel hiskima (hiskima) agreed anakhnu (anakhnu) we tsrikhim (tsrikhim) need le-hashot (le-hashot) to-compare et (et) ACC ha-mekhirim (ha-mekhirim) the-prices ba-khanuyot (ba-khanuyot) in-stores akherot (akherot) other
50.28a אולי (ulay) maybe נמצא (nimtsa) we-will-find משהו (mashehu) something זול (zol) cheap יותר (yoter) more עם (im) with אותם (otam) same מפרטים (mefartim) specifications
50.28b ulay (ulay) maybe nimtsa (nimtsa) we-will-find mashehu (mashehu) something zol (zol) cheap yoter (yoter) more im (im) with otam (otam) same mefartim (mefartim) specifications
50.29a דני (Dani) Danny אמר (amar) said נכון (nakhon) correct עדיף (adif) better להשוות (le-hashot) to-compare מאשר (me-asher) than לקנות (li-knot) to-buy משהו (mashehu) something ולהתחרט (u-le-hitkharet) and-to-regret אחר (akhar) after כך (kakh) that
50.29b Dani (Dani) Danny amar (amar) said nakhon (nakhon) correct adif (adif) better le-hashot (le-hashot) to-compare me-asher (me-asher) than li-knot (li-knot) to-buy mashehu (mashehu) something u-le-hitkharet (u-le-hitkharet) and-to-regret akhar (akhar) after kakh (kakh) that
50.30a הם (hem) they הלכו (halekhu) went לחנות (la-khanut) to-the-store הבאה (ha-ba’a) the-next לחפש (le-khapes) to-search מחיר (mekhir) price טוב (tov) good יותר (yoter) more
50.30b hem (hem) they halekhu (halekhu) went la-khanut (la-khanut) to-the-store ha-ba’a (ha-ba’a) the-next le-khapes (le-khapes) to-search mekhir (mekhir) price tov (tov) good yoter (yoter) more
50.16 רחל ודני מחפשים מחשב חדש Rakhel ve-Dani mekhapsim makhshev khadash “Rachel and Danny are searching for a new computer.”
50.17 דני אמר: “המחשב הזה מהיר יותר מהדגם הישן.” Dani amar: “ha-makhshev ha-ze mahir yoter me-ha-degem ha-yashan.” “Danny said: ‘This computer is faster than the old model.’”
50.18 רחל ענתה: “נכון, אבל הוא גם יקר יותר.” Rakhel anta: “nakhon, aval hu gam yakar yoter.” “Rachel answered: ‘True, but it’s also more expensive.’”
50.19 דני שאל: “כמה יותר יקר הוא מהדגם הקודם?” Dani sha’al: “kama yoter yakar hu me-ha-degem ha-kodem?” “Danny asked: ‘How much more expensive is it than the previous model?’”
50.20 רחל אמרה: “כמעט אלף שקלים יותר.” Rakhel amra: “kim’at elef shkalim yoter.” “Rachel said: ‘Almost a thousand shekels more.’”
50.21 דני חשב: “אולי עדיף לקנות משהו פחות יקר.” Dani khashav: “ulay adif li-knot mashehu pakhot yakar.” “Danny thought: ‘Maybe it’s better to buy something less expensive.’”
50.22 המוכר התקרב ואמר: “זה הדגם הטוב ביותר שיש לנו.” ha-mokher hitkarev ve-amar: “ze ha-degem ha-tov be-yoter she-yesh lanu.” “The seller approached and said: ‘This is the best model we have.’”
50.23 “הביצועים שלו טובים יותר מכל המתחרים.” “ha-bitsu’im shelo tovim yoter mi-kol ha-mitḥarim.” “’Its performance is better than all the competitors.’”
50.24 רחל שאלה: “האם המסך גדול מהמסך שיש במחשב הישן שלי?” Rakhel sha’ala: “ha-im ha-masakh gadol me-ha-masakh she-yesh ba-makhshev ha-yashan sheli?” “Rachel asked: ‘Is the screen bigger than the screen on my old computer?’”
50.25 המוכר ענה: “כן, המסך גדול יותר בשני סנטימטרים.” ha-mokher ana: “ken, ha-masakh gadol yoter bi-shney sentimetrim.” “The seller answered: ‘Yes, the screen is bigger by two centimeters.’”
50.26 דני אמר: “אני צריך לחשוב על זה עוד קצת.” Dani amar: “ani tsarikh la-khshov al ze od ktsat.” “Danny said: ‘I need to think about this a bit more.’”
50.27 רחל הסכימה: “אנחנו צריכים להשוות את המחירים בחנויות אחרות.” Rakhel hiskima: “anakhnu tsrikhim le-hashot et ha-mekhirim ba-khanuyot akherot.” “Rachel agreed: ‘We need to compare prices in other stores.’”
50.28 “אולי נמצא משהו זול יותר עם אותם מפרטים.” “ulay nimtsa mashehu zol yoter im otam mefartim.” “’Maybe we’ll find something cheaper with the same specifications.’”
50.29 דני אמר: “נכון. עדיף להשוות מאשר לקנות משהו ולהתחרט אחר כך.” Dani amar: “nakhon. adif le-hashot me-asher li-knot mashehu u-le-hitkharet akhar kakh.” “Danny said: ‘Right. It’s better to compare than to buy something and regret it later.’”
50.30 הם הלכו לחנות הבאה לחפש מחיר טוב יותר hem halekhu la-khanut ha-ba’a le-khapes mekhir tov yoter “They went to the next store to look for a better price.”
50.16 רחל ודני מחפשים מחשב חדש Rakhel ve-Dani mekhapsim makhshev khadash
50.17 דני אמר: “המחשב הזה מהיר יותר מהדגם הישן.” Dani amar: “ha-makhshev ha-ze mahir yoter me-ha-degem ha-yashan.”
50.18 רחל ענתה: “נכון, אבל הוא גם יקר יותר.” Rakhel anta: “nakhon, aval hu gam yakar yoter.”
50.19 דני שאל: “כמה יותר יקר הוא מהדגם הקודם?” Dani sha’al: “kama yoter yakar hu me-ha-degem ha-kodem?”
50.20 רחל אמרה: “כמעט אלף שקלים יותר.” Rakhel amra: “kim’at elef shkalim yoter.”
50.21 דני חשב: “אולי עדיף לקנות משהו פחות יקר.” Dani khashav: “ulay adif li-knot mashehu pakhot yakar.”
50.22 המוכר התקרב ואמר: “זה הדגם הטוב ביותר שיש לנו.” ha-mokher hitkarev ve-amar: “ze ha-degem ha-tov be-yoter she-yesh lanu.”
50.23 “הביצועים שלו טובים יותר מכל המתחרים.” “ha-bitsu’im shelo tovim yoter mi-kol ha-mitḥarim.”
50.24 רחל שאלה: “האם המסך גדול מהמסך שיש במחשב הישן שלי?” Rakhel sha’ala: “ha-im ha-masakh gadol me-ha-masakh she-yesh ba-makhshev ha-yashan sheli?”
50.25 המוכר ענה: “כן, המסך גדול יותר בשני סנטימטרים.” ha-mokher ana: “ken, ha-masakh gadol yoter bi-shney sentimetrim.”
50.26 דני אמר: “אני צריך לחשוב על זה עוד קצת.” Dani amar: “ani tsarikh la-khshov al ze od ktsat.”
50.27 רחל הסכימה: “אנחנו צריכים להשוות את המחירים בחנויות אחרות.” Rakhel hiskima: “anakhnu tsrikhim le-hashot et ha-mekhirim ba-khanuyot akherot.”
50.28 “אולי נמצא משהו זול יותר עם אותם מפרטים.” “ulay nimtsa mashehu zol yoter im otam mefartim.”
50.29 דני אמר: “נכון. עדיף להשוות מאשר לקנות משהו ולהתחרט אחר כך.” Dani amar: “nakhon. adif le-hashot me-asher li-knot mashehu u-le-hitkharet akhar kakh.”
50.30 הם הלכו לחנות הבאה לחפש מחיר טוב יותר hem halekhu la-khanut ha-ba’a le-khapes mekhir tov yoter
This dialogue demonstrates authentic comparative usage in a common Israeli shopping scenario. Several grammatical points are illustrated:
Flexible יותר Placement: The dialogue shows natural variation in where יותר appears: -
מהיר יותר (mahir yoter) - adjective first -
יותר יקר (yoter yakar) - יותר first -
גדול יותר (gadol yoter) - adjective first Both patterns are equally natural in modern spoken Hebrew.
Omission of יותר: Notice in example 50.24: המסך גדול מהמסך (ha-masakh gadol me-ha-masakh) “the screen is big from-the-screen” = “bigger than” - יותר is omitted but comparison is clear.
מאשר in Formal Expression: Example 50.29 uses מאשר (me-asher) instead of simple מ־: עדיף להשוות מאשר לקנות (adif le-hashot me-asher li-knot) “better to compare than to buy” - this is slightly more formal and appears when comparing infinitive actions rather than nouns.
Superlative with ביותר: Example 50.22 shows the formal superlative: הטוב ביותר (ha-tov be-yoter) “the best” (literally “the good in-more”). This is more formal than the colloquial הכי טוב (ha-khi tov).
Comparisons with Quantifiers: Example 50.20: אלף שקלים יותר (elef shkalim yoter) “a thousand shekels more” - יותר follows the quantity, showing how it functions with numbers.
Comparative Questions: Example 50.19: כמה יותר יקר (kama yoter yakar) “how much more expensive” - interrogative structure with comparative.
Pronouns with מ־: The prefix attaches to pronouns throughout: ממני (mimeni) “than-me,” ממך (mimkha) “than-you.”
Compound Forms with Definite Article: Multiple examples show מה־ combinations: -
מהדגם (me-ha-degem) = מ + ה + דגם -
מהמסך (me-ha-masakh) = מ + ה + מסך The prefix and article merge smoothly.
Practical Comparative Verbs: להשוות (le-hashot) “to compare” - from root ש.ו.ה - is the active verb form related to comparisons, appearing in both examples 50.27 and 50.29. This verb is essential for shopping and decision-making contexts.
This dialogue reflects authentic Israeli consumer behavior: careful price comparison, skepticism toward sales pitches, and a pragmatic approach to purchasing. The comparative constructions appear naturally in the context of evaluating options - the fundamental function of comparison in any language.
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This lesson is part of the comprehensive Modern Language Course series developed by the Latinum Institute, designed specifically for autodidact learners who wish to master languages through systematic, scientifically-grounded methods.
Course Methodology: Since 2006, the Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials based on frequency-ranked vocabulary and the interlinear glossing method. Each lesson targets specific vocabulary items from our 1000-word CSV list, ensuring systematic progression from basic to advanced linguistic competence.
Why This Approach Works: The interlinear construed text method provides word-by-word glossing, allowing learners to understand the grammatical function and meaning of each element while seeing how they combine into natural sentences. This dual-line format (showing both the target script and romanization with glosses) accelerates comprehension by making the structure of the language transparent.
For Modern Hebrew Specifically: Hebrew presents unique challenges for English speakers - a different alphabet (written right-to-left), a root-based morphological system, and grammatical structures quite different from European languages. The duplex glossing system (showing both Hebrew script with romanization and glosses) enables learners to approach the language from multiple angles simultaneously, developing both reading fluency and grammatical understanding.
Why Comparative Constructions Matter: The prefix מ־ appears in thousands of Hebrew expressions, making it one of the most frequent and essential elements of the language. Understanding how Hebrew conceptualizes comparison as “from” rather than “than” provides insight into the deeper structures of Semitic thought.
Authentic Language Use: This lesson incorporates authentic Hebrew constructions, idiomatic expressions, and cultural context. The literary citation from Pirkei Avot connects modern usage to its ancient roots, while the genre section dialogue demonstrates how comparatives function in everyday Israeli conversation.
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End of Lesson 50 - Modern Hebrew (עברית): מ־ (Than)
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