how to say “the authorities” in Hebrew
Back in June, I introduced the word for authority, as in the Palestinian Authority: רָשׁוּת (rah-SHOOT).
So today’s entry isn’t entirely new, since you may already have the word רשות well integrated in your Hebrew vocabulary. Rather, today I’d like to introduce you to a specialized usage of this word, one that you’re likely to come across often, especially when listening to the news in Hebrew.
To refer to the authorities, you’d use the word הָרָשׁוּיוֹת (hah-rah-shoo-YOHT). For example, הוּא הִסְגִּיר אֶת עַצְמוֹ לָרָשׁוּיוֹת (hoo hees-GEER et ahts-MOH lah-rah-shoo-YOHT) – he turned himself in to the authorities.
הרשויות also refers to the various money-collecting – or tax – authorities.
