how to say “desired” in Hebrew

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מבוקש-1.m4a” /]רָצוּי, מְבֻקָּשׁ, נֶחְשָׁק

Desired could mean one of several things in Hebrew.

1. רצוי

There’s desired as in wanted – רצוי[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מבוקש-2.m4a” /].

For example:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מבוקש-3.m4a” /]השגנו את התוצאה הרצויה.

We achieved the desired result.

and

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מבוקש-4.m4a” /]הוא לא מרגיש רצוי.

He doesn’t feel wanted.

2. מבוקש

Then there’s desired as in sought after in a positive sense, or wanted in the negative sense of a wanted ad – מבוקש[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מבוקש-5.m4a” /].

For example:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מבוקש-6.m4a” /]כולם רוצים לדבר איתה – היא מאוד מבוקשת.

Everyone wants to talk with her – she’s very sought-after.

and

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מבוקש-7.m4a” /]הוא ראשון ברשימת המבוקשים במשטרה.

He’s the first in the wanted list at the police.

3. נחשק

Finally, there’s desired as in desirable, the object where passion gets directed – נחשק[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מבוקש-8.m4a” /].

For example:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מבוקש-9.m4a” /]הוא גבר נחשק.

He’s a desirable man.

and

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מבוקש-10.m4a” /]היא אישה נחשקת.

She’s a desirable woman.