how to say “IDF” in Hebrew

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/צהל-#.m4a” /]צַהַ”ל

The Hebrew term for the Israel Defense Force is צבא ההגנה לישראל[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/צהל-#.m4a” /] – literally, the Army of Defense for Israel. 

How does one say that quickly and concisely?

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/צהל-#.m4a” /]ראשי התיבות צה”ל הם קיצור של “צבא ההגנה לישראל.”

The acronym IDF is an abbreviation of “the Israel Defense Force”.

Since the military is compulsory in Israel and is thus such an essential part of Israeli culture, the acronym צה”ל has become a word in its own right, getting modified as everyday conversation requires. For example, צהלי[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/צהל-#.m4a” /] means IDF in adjective form, as in:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/צהל-#.m4a” /]אם שומעים פיצוצים ברמת הגולן, סביר להניח שמדובר באימון צה”לי.

If you hear explosions on the Golan Heights, it’s most likely an IDF training.