how to say “to settle somewhere” in Hebrew

In the Biblical canon, the word לָשֶׁבֶת (lah-SHEH-vet) means primarily to settle down, though its very literal to sit down meaning exists as well. This active-simple פָּעַל verb‘s root is י.שׁ.ב (y.sh.b).

Since in Modern Hebrew לשבת means primarily to sit down literally, the rejuvenated language needed a different word for to settle down. So it borrowed from Mishnaic Hebrew a word that describes the settling down of dust or emotions, the reflexive-intensive הִתְפַּעֵל verb, לְהִתְיַשֵּׁב (leh-heet-yah-SHEV), and now uses that word to include settling down on a piece of land. Thus the word יִשּׁוּב (yee-SHOOV), though also carrying the meaning of mental or emotional settlement, is the generic word for any kind of physical settlement of a group of people.

Another word meaning to settle down permanently is לְהִשְׁתַּקֵּעַ (leh-heesh-tah-KEH-ah), of the root שׁ.ק.ע (sh.k.a) meaning sinking or setting. This word has the connotation of putting down roots somewhere.

For example:

הָעוֹלִים הַחֳדָשִׁים בָּאוּ עִם הַכַּוָּנָה לְהִשְׁתַּקֵּעַ.

The new immigrants (to Israel) came with the intent of permanently settling.

Make this dose of Hebrew yours by using it in a sentence. You can write your sentence on the wall of our Facebook page, and we’ll correct it for you if it’s got errors. 

 

You can further build your
Hebrew vocabulary with…

with a special discount for Ktzat Ivrit enthusiasts like yourself