how to say “I meant to say…” in Hebrew
[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/התכוונתי-1.m4a” /]הִתְכַּוַּנְתִּי
If you’re familiar with Jewish prayer, you may know the word כוונה[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/התכוונתי-2.m4a” /] – intent. The word is derived from the root כ.ו.נ[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/התכוונתי-3.m4a” /] – which is quite ubiquitous, appearing in words as diverse as כן[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/התכוונתי-4.m4a” /] – yes, נכון[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/התכוונתי-5.m4a” /] – correct, and להתכונן[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/התכוונתי-6.m4a” /] – to get ready.
Another application of this root – the reflexive-verb form of כוונה – is in להתכוון[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/התכוונתי-7.m4a” /] – to intend or to mean.
For example:
[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/התכוונתי-8.m4a” /]התכוונתי לומר… שאת נראית מצויין.
I meant to say… that you (a female) look great.
