how to say “to get up” in Hebrew
לָקוּם
As in all Semitic languages, Hebrew roots have three letters. When used to form certain words, however, one or more letters from a root disappear.
The letter ו (w) is one of those that often disappears. Take the simple verb לָקוּם
– to get up or to arise – for example. In the future and imperative tenses, the ו remains intact:הֵם יָקוּמוּ מָחָר בַּזְּמַן.
They’ll get up on time tomorrow.
and
שֵׁב שֵׁב, אַל תָּקוּם.
Sit sit, don’t get up (to a male).
But in the past and present tenses, the ו falls off:
בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל קָם הָעַם הַיְּהוּדִי.
In the Land of Israel arose the Jewish People.
(opening line of the Israeli Declaration of Independence)
and
כְּשֶׁהִיא נִכְנְסָה לַחֶדֶר, כֻּלָּם קָמוּ מֵהַכִּסָּאוֹת.
When she entered the room, everyone rose from (their) seats.
