how to say “to postpone” in Hebrew
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לִדְחוֹת
Events and appointments get postponed all the time. The Hebrew word for to postpone is לִדְחוֹת (leed-KHOHT) – a simple verb – while to be postponed is לְהִדָּחוֹת (leh-hee-dah-KHOHT), a “nifal” verb. For example, הַטִּיּוּל נִדְחָה בְּשָׁבוּע (hah-tee-YOOL need-KHAH beh-shah-VOO-ah) – the trip was postponed by a week.
Word of caution: לדחות also means to reject or, more potentially destructive, to repulse. For example, you might hear someone speak of צֶבַע דּוֹחֶה (TSEH-vah doh-KHEH) – a repulsive color.
So don’t tell your wife אֲנִי דּוֹחֶה אֹתָך (ah-NEE doh-KHEH oh-TAHKH) – I’m rejecting you – when you really mean I’m changing our lunch appointment.
How’s your spoken Hebrew?
