How to say “chase after” in Hebrew
לרדוף
My house-mate Josh suggested this word. Josh grew up in the UK and now chases down terrorists – he’s a soldier in the IDF, preparing to be a commander.
The Chapters of the Fathers (פִּרְקֵי אָבוֹת – peer-KAY ah-VOHT) lists appropriate ages for various milestones in the life of the Jewish male: 9 for education, 13 for mitzvot (hence the Bar Mitzvah), 18 for marriage (what!?)… and 20 for, well, לִרְדּוֹף (leer-DOHF). The book goes on to list other such milestones (Chapter 5, Mishnah 22).
The Chapters of the Fathers (פִּרְקֵי אָבוֹת – peer-KAY ah-VOHT) lists appropriate ages for various milestones in the life of the Jewish male: 9 for education, 13 for mitzvot (hence the Bar Mitzvah), 18 for marriage (what!?)… and 20 for, well, לִרְדּוֹף (leer-DOHF). The book goes on to list other such milestones (Chapter 5, Mishnah 22).
What is that milestone for the twenty-year-old man?
The word itself – לרדוף – means to chase. Presumably, the man is spending his third decade chasing after a living.
The word for a chase or a pursuit is מִרְדָּף (meer-DAHF).
You can learn how to use this and many other words at Ulpan La-Inyan. We’ve got a new six-week session starting June 6.
In the meantime, listen and repeat…
