how to say “light rail” in Hebrew
All kinds of less-than-pleasant things have been going in Israel over the past day or so.
However, something refreshing has taken place as well: The Jerusalem Light Rail today started transporting passengers after nine years of building.
The Hebrew word for train is רַכֶּבֶת (rah-KEH-vet), deriving from the same root as רֶכֶב (REH-khev), vehicle. רכבת is a feminine noun.
Light, as in lightweight, is קַל (kahl). The word also means easy.
So a rail that is light is, in a Hebrew, רַכֶּבֶת קָלָה (rah-KEH-vet kah-LAH).
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| ראש העיר, ניר ברקת – (Jerusalem) Mayor Nir Barkat |
As written on the signs hanging on debilitated Jaffa Street during the nine-year waiting period for the light rail’s arrival, הָרַכֶּבֶת הַקָּלָה טוֹבָה לַבִּירָה – the light rail is good for the capital (hah-rah-KEH-vet hah-kah-LAH toh-VAH lah-bee-RAH).
In Hebrew, the phrase rhymes.
שבת שלום וסוף שבוע נעים לכולם!
Shabbat Shalom and a pleasant weekend to all!
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