how to say “if it’s not too much trouble” in Hebrew

אִם זוֹ לֹא טִרְחָה גְּדוֹלָה

Empathy is a key element in persuasion: if I want to get someone to do something, acknowledging the fact that I’m causing them inconvenience will make them more likely to accept my request.

אם זו לא טרחה גדולה
accomplishes just that. It means literally, if this isn’t too much trouble. People usually abbreviate it to אם זו לא טרחה
– if it isn’t trouble.

For example:

אם זו לא טרחה, אשמח אם תזיז את הספה. תודה!

If it isn’t (too much of) trouble, I’d be happy if you moved the sofa. Thanks!

The expression broken down:

אם
– if

זו
– an alternative to זאת
, the feminine word for this

לא
– no, isn’t

טרחה
– trouble, bother

גדולה
big, large, when referring to something grammatically feminine such as טרחה

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