how to say “to set boundaries” in Hebrew

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/להציב-גבולות-1.m4a” /]לְהַצִּיב גְּבוּלוֹת

The Hebrew word for border, limit or boundary is גבול[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/להציב-גבולות-2.m4a” /]. This גבול could be physical or metaphorical, as in the expression:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/להציב-גבולות-3.m4a” /]יש גבול לכל תעלול.

There’s a limit to every trick. (i.e. I’m sick and tired of whatever you’re doing.)

To set a boundary is להציב גבול[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/להציב-גבולות-4.m4a” /], where להציב[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/להציב-גבולות-5.m4a” /] is the active-causative verb meaning to stand something up.

For example:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/להציב-גבולות-6.m4a” /]אם רוצים שקשר יפרח, צריך להציב גבולות ברורים.

If (we) want a relationship to blossom, (we) must set clear boundaries.

Notice that the plural גבולות[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/להציב-גבולות-7.m4a” /] looks feminine, but functions as masculine in גבולות ברורים[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/להציב-גבולות-8.m4a” /]. That’s because the singular form determines the gender of the noun, and גבול is masculine.

Setting boundaries is הצבת גבולות[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/להציב-גבולות-9.m4a” /].