how to say “status” in Hebrew
[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מעמד-1.m4a” /]סְטָטוּס, מַעֲמָד
When Israelis talk about a Facebook status, they adopt the English (originally Latin) word – סטטוס[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מעמד-2.m4a” /]. Likewise, status quo (also from Latin) in Hebrew is סטטוס קוו[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מעמד-3.m4a” /].
But when talking about a person’s status, the word is מעמד[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מעמד-4.m4a” /], from the root ע.מ.ד[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מעמד-5.m4a” /] meaning standing.
For example:
[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מעמד-6.m4a” /]יש לו מעמד מיוחד בקהילה.
He has special status in the community.
Likewise, social standing or social class is מעמד חברתי[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מעמד-7.m4a” /].
מעמד can also refer to an event, or a time of special status. Thus the grand event of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai is called in Hebrew מעמד הר סיני[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מעמד-8.m4a” /].
