how to say “mother tongue” in Hebrew
שְׂפַת אֵם
Hebrew has two words for language, and both are named after parts of the mouth:
שָׂפָה – the common word, literally lip
– the common word, literally lipלָשׁוֹן – the more poetic word, literally tongue, also referring to the study of language
– the more poetic word, literally tongue, also referring to the study of languageHebrew’s expression for native language or mother tongue uses the lip metaphor: שְׂפַת אֵם – literally, lip of mother.
– literally, lip of mother.For example:
מָה שְׂפַת הָאֵם שֶׁלְּךָ?
What is your mother tongue? (addressing a male)
The expression לְשׁוֹן אֵם – literally, tongue of mother – exists as well, but it is rarely used.
– literally, tongue of mother – exists as well, but it is rarely used.