how to say “light rail” in Hebrew

ByAmi Steinberger

 

רַכֶּבֶת קָלָה
 
 

 



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.

רכבת קלה



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). 

ניר ברקת - ראש עיריית ירושלים
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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