How to say “keeping busy” ” to employ” in Hebrew
מעסיק
Perhaps you know the Hebrew word for a business – עֶסֶק (EH-sehk).
If I were to state that he’s busy, I’d say, הוּא עָסוּק (hoo ah-SOOK); I were to say that a woman is busy, it would be, הִיא עֲסוּקָה (hee ah-soo-KAH).
However, if I wanted to say, he’s preoccupied with something, I’d say, מָשֶׁהוּ מַעֲסִיק אוֹתו (MAH-sheh-hoo mah-ah-SEEK oh-TOH) – literally, something is keeping him busy. Listen and repeat.
It’s the same word for to employ and an employer – for example, אֲנִי רוֹצֶה לְהַעֲסִיק מִישֶׁהו (ah-NEE roh-TSEH le-hah-ah-SEEK MEE-sheh-hoo) – I want to employ someone.
The truth is I do – on a substitute-teacher level. My teacher for my new Tel Aviv classes is stranded in England until Thursday.
If you know someone with a free morning, fluency in two languages (Hebrew and English) under their belt, a laptop and a great smile, send them my way!
שָׁבוּעַ טוֹב (shah-VOO-ah tohv) – good week!
