how to say “to absorb” in Hebrew

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/לספוג-1.m4a” /]לִסְפּוֹג

If you’ve been in Israel over חנוכה[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/לספוג-2.m4a” /] (Hanukkah), you certainly know the word for that special jelly doughnut – סופגניה[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/לספוג-3.m4a” /].

סופגניה derives from the simple verb לספוג[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/לספוג-1.m4a” /] – to absorb, since the pastry is capable of absorbing lots of oil.

לספוג is used in the literal sense, as well as in the figurative of sense of to take it.

For example:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/לספוג-4.m4a” /]כמה סופגניות הגוף מסוגל לספוג?

How many doughnuts can the body take?

A sponge, something that absorbs, is a ספוג[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/לספוג-5.m4a” /].