how to say “fencing” in Hebrew

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/סיף-1.m4a” /]סַיִף, סִיּוּף

The Hebrew word for sword is חרב[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/סיף-2.m4a” /], a feminine noun that appears masculine (go figure).

For example:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/סיף-3.m4a” /]החרב הזאת עתיקה מאוד.

This sword is very ancient.

But to create a word for fencing, Hebrew borrows from the Aramaic word for sword – סייף[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/סיף-4.m4a” /].

For example:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/סיף-5.m4a” /]הוא נרשם לחוג סייף.

He registered for a fencing class.

That’s fencing in the institutional sense – סייף refers to the institution of fencing. The act of fencing, however, is סיוף[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/סיף-6.m4a” /].

For example, one might say with sword in hand:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/סיף-7.m4a” /]אני לא יכול לדבר – אני באמצע סיוף.

I (a male) can’t talk – I’m in the middle of fencing.