Every Talmudic Aramaic term and idiom, translated into English with sources Full search →
The Aramaic of the Talmud is not a foreign language to be re-translated on every page. It is a closed system of recurring terms: debate markers, connectives, core verbs and fixed phrases. Once a learner recognises the system, the page opens up.
Every entry gives the Hebrew translation, root and part of speech, full inflections where they matter, and a citation from the passage in which the term appears — so the word is learned in its natural place. Debate markers carry a consistent colour code — kushya, terutz, raya, stira — the same code used across the site.
This is not a substitute for learning but the groundwork for it: the dictionary is built so you need it less and less, until you read the passage on your own.
Every word in the recurring core gets its own heading, a short definition and its job in the argument — with a link to the full entry: root, inflections and a quotation from the sugya.
Mib'aya (מבעיא) means It is asked; clarification is needed. On the daf it is the term that opens an inquiry. Most often used to initiate a discussion: 'מבעיא ליה... מהו...?' (mibai'a lei... mahu...?…
Full entry: Mib'ayaitay (איתי) means there is, he has. It is a verb of the sugya. Used to construct existence or possession.
Full entry: itayEin (אין) means yes, true. It is a signposting particle. Used for affirmation or agreement to things previously stated.
Full entry: EinMatzinu (מצינו) means We found. On the daf it is the term that brings a proof. Indicates a source or proof found elsewhere.
Full entry: MatzinuBa'i (בעי) means He asked, wanted, requested. On the daf it is the term that opens an inquiry. Used to present a question or request from a Sage.
Full entry: Ba'iDami (דמי) means Similar; compares. It is a verb of the sugya. Most often used to compare different cases or laws.
Full entry: DamiAti (אתי) means He comes, he will come. It is a verb of the sugya. Present/future tense form of the verb 'to come'.
Full entry: Atiatya (אתיא) means comes, will come (feminine). It is a verb of the sugya. Present/future tense form of 'comes' for feminine.
Full entry: atyamai lav (מַאי לָאו) means Is it not? Meaning, certainly yes. On the daf it is the term that opens an inquiry. A rhetorical question implying a clear conclusion. The Aramaic phrase is מַאי לָאו (mai…
Full entry: mai lavKa Amar (קא אמר) means He says, is saying. It is a phrase of the argument. A common expression indicating speech in the present tense or an ongoing act of speaking, often translated as 'he says' or…
Full entry: Ka Amarb'a (בְּעָא) means Asked, wanted, requested. On the daf it is the term that opens an inquiry. Often used to introduce a question or doubt.
Full entry: b'aLeit lan bah (לית לן בה) means we have no concern with this. It is a phrase of the argument. An expression for rejecting a topic or claim as irrelevant.
Full entry: Leit lan bahmetzi (מצי) means he found, he was able. It is a verb of the sugya. Most often appears with the meaning of ability, as in 'לא מצי למעבד' (lo matzi leme'evad - cannot do).
Full entry: metziakhil (אכיל) means he ate. It is a verb of the sugya. Used to describe eating, similar to the Hebrew 'אכל' (akhal).
Full entry: akhilu'mai kasavar (וּמַאי קָסָבַר) means And what does he hold? (A question of principle). On the daf it is the term that opens an inquiry. A question whose purpose is to clarify the principle or…
Full entry: u'mai kasavarShma'at (שמעת) means You (masc. sing.) heard. It is a verb of the sugya. Past tense, second person singular form of the verb 'to hear'.
Full entry: Shma'atAshkach (אשכח) means He found. It is a verb of the sugya. Aramaic form for the verb 'found'.
Full entry: Ashkachl'mai nafka minah (לְמַאי נַפְקָא מִינָהּ) means To what does it lead? What is the practical implication?. On the daf it is the term that opens an inquiry. A question that ascertains the halakhic…
Full entry: l'mai nafka minahAvid (עביד) means He does, he makes. It is a verb of the sugya. Present tense form of the verb 'to do' or 'to make'.
Full entry: AvidYehei (יהא) means He will be, it will be. It is a verb of the sugya. Future form of the verb 'to be'.
Full entry: Yeheihavi (הוי) means was, happened, became. It is a verb of the sugya. A basic verb with many meanings depending on the context.
Full entry: havika'i (קאי) means stands, is about to happen, refers to. It is a verb of the sugya. Expresses standing, existence, or reference, sometimes also meaning 'it is referring to...'.
Full entry: ka'ishani (שני) means different, changed. It is a verb of the sugya. Used to distinguish between different cases or situations.
Full entry: shanialma (עלמא) means world, the world. It is a noun of the Gemara. Many meanings in various contexts, such as 'בעלמא' (be'alma - simply, generally).
Full entry: almait (אית) means there is, there are, exists. It is a signposting particle. Corresponds to the Hebrew 'יש' (yesh - there is). Sometimes appears in the form 'איתא' (ita - there is for her).
Full entry: itleit (לית) means there is not, there are not, does not exist. It is a signposting particle. The negation of 'אית' (it). A combination of 'לא' (la - no) and 'אית' (it).
Full entry: leityachol (יכול) means can, is able. It is a verb of the sugya. Sometimes also appears in the form 'לא יכול' (lo yakhol - cannot) with the meaning 'it is impossible'.
Full entry: yacholMi savarta (מי סברת) means Do you hold (that...)?. On the daf it is the term that sets a contradiction. Presents a mistaken assumption of the other party, as a prelude to refuting it. The Aramaic…
Full entry: Mi savartameimar (מימר) means to say (infinitive). It is a verb of the sugya. Infinitive form of the verb 'אמר' (amar - to say). Frequently appears in the phrase 'הכי מימר' (hakhi meimar - thus to say).
Full entry: meimarka'amar (קאמר) means says, is now saying. It is a verb of the sugya. The prefix 'קא' (ka) indicates the present tense or a continuous action. Very common for citing the words of Amoraim.
Full entry: ka'amarb'inan (בעינן) means we need, we ask. On the daf it is the term that opens an inquiry. The plural form of 'בעי' (ba'i), frequently used in questions and discussions in the Gemara.
Full entry: b'inanVe'ka salqa da'atakh amina (וקא סלקא דעתך אמינא) means And it might have occurred to you to say. On the daf it is the term that sets a contradiction. Presents a mistaken consideration (havah amina)…
Full entry: Ve'ka salqa da'atakh aminahadar (הדר) means returned, recanted. It is a verb of the sugya. Most often refers to returning to a place or retracting a previous opinion.
Full entry: hadarUmai shana (ומאי שנא) means And what is different (about this case from another)? What is the difference?. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. A query (kushya) based on comparing two…
Full entry: Umai shanaLeitnei (ליתני) means Let it teach (to suggest learning a Mishna or Baraita in a certain way). On the daf it is the term that closes a resolution. Used in proposals to change the wording or method…
Full entry: Leitneimata (מטא) means reached, arrived at. It is a verb of the sugya. Describes arriving at a place or a point in time.
Full entry: matamana (מנא) means from where, from what. On the daf it is the term that opens an inquiry. A common interrogative word regarding a source or proof.
Full entry: manaKa Miba'ya Lei (קא מיבעיא ליה) means He asks, it is difficult for him, he wonders. It is a phrase of the argument. A common phrase indicating a question or difficulty that arises for a Tanna or Amora.
Full entry: Ka Miba'ya Leive'ela (ואלא) means And rather; and indeed; and on the contrary. It is a connective of the argument. A combination of the conjunction 'ו' (ve, 'and') and 'אלא' (ela, 'rather'), used to continue a…
Full entry: ve'elaLo tzricha (לא צריכא) means It was not necessary (except in a specific case). On the daf it is the term that closes a resolution. Used to resolve a difficulty by arguing that the case in question…
Full entry: Lo tzrichaIba'ei lahu (איבעיא להו) means It was asked of them. On the daf it is the term that opens an inquiry. An introduction to a question posed before a group of Sages that was not necessarily resolved.
Full entry: Iba'ei lahuKetav (כתב) means wrote. It is a verb of the sugya. A basic verb related to the act of writing (כתב, `katav`), appearing in contexts of documents, halakhic books, and more.
Full entry: Ketavsalak (סלק) means removed, brought up, took off, uprooted. It is a verb of the sugya. A wide range of uses, from 'raised' to 'removed'.
Full entry: salakyahav (יהב) means gave. It is a verb of the sugya. A particularly important verb in monetary law and laws of gifts.
Full entry: yahavKulei Alma (כולי עלמא) means The whole world, everyone, the entire general rule. It is a phrase of the argument. A common phrase indicating sweeping agreement or referring to all opinions/cases.
Full entry: Kulei AlmaMai shana (מאי שנא) means What is the difference?. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. A question expressing difficulty from a comparison between two cases or laws.
Full entry: Mai shanazil (זיל) means Go! (imperative). It is a verb of the sugya. The imperative form of the verb 'אזל' (azal).
Full entry: zilMahu deteyma (מהו דתימא) means What is it that you would say?. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. An introduction to a difficulty or a mistaken assumption that the Gemara seeks to…
Full entry: Mahu deteymaavad (עבד) means did, made, acted. It is a verb of the sugya. Corresponds to the Hebrew 'עשה' (asah - did), used to describe actions.
Full entry: avadaidi (איידי) means since, because. It is a connective of the argument. A common conjunction used to explain causality or the connection between things.
Full entry: aidi...hatam... hakha... / hakha... hatam... (...הָתָם... הָכָא... / הָכָא... הָתָם...) means here... and there. On the daf it is the term that closes a resolution. Expressions that generally come as an…
Full entry: ...hatam... hakha... / hakha... hatam...Ibay'a lehu (אִבַּעְיָא לְהוּ) means it was asked of them. On the daf it is the term that opens an inquiry. An opening for a question (שְׁאֵלָה) asked of many Sages in the Beit Midrash (study hall)…
Full entry: Ibay'a lehuagabba (אַגַּבָּא) means incidentally, by the way, en passant. It is an adverb of the daf. A very useful word to denote incidental remarks or secondary explanations, which is heard less in everyday…
Full entry: agabbaAd-tanei seifa...? (אַדְתָנֵי סֵיפָא...?) means regarding what is taught in the latter part...?. On the daf it is the term that opens an inquiry. A preface to a question that will be asked regarding…
Full entry: Ad-tanei seifa...?okimta (אוֹקִימְתָּא) means establishment. It is a phrase of the argument. A statement by a Sage (explanation, clarification, interpretation) regarding a Tannaitic source, which establishes it in a…
Full entry: okimtaʾazal (אָזַל) means he went. It is a verb of the sugya. A basic verb of motion. Often appears in stories. The present tense form is 'אזיל' (azil). 'אזיל וגמר' (azil v'gamar) - goes and learns.
Full entry: ʾazali (אִי) means if. It is a signposting particle. Used primarily in conditional sentences. One must distinguish between this 'אי' and 'אי' in the meaning of 'no' or 'not' (for example, 'אי אפשר'…
Full entry: iI amart...? (אִי אֲמַרְתְּ ...?) means If you say...?. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. An opening for a difficulty (קַשְׁיָא), meaning: if you say as the sage holds, a question…
Full entry: I amart...?I be...? (אִי ב...?) means If with / in...?. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. An opening for a difficulty (קַשְׁיָא), meaning: if we say we are dealing with a specific matter, a…
Full entry: I be...?I Ba'it Eima (אי בעית אימא) means If you wish, say (an additional, alternative explanation, or another answer to the difficulty). On the daf it is the term that closes a resolution. Serves to…
Full entry: I Ba'it Eimai hakhi (אִי הָכִי) means If so. It is a phrase of the argument. A common opening for a difficulty (kushya) based on a previous conclusion. The Gemara shows that if the conclusion is accepted, a…
Full entry: i hakhii hachi...? (אִי הָכִי...?) means if so...?. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. An opening for a difficulty (קֻשְׁיָא - kushya) on an answer or explanation previously stated in the…
Full entry: i hachi...?i salka da'atakh...? - i s"d...? (אִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ...? - אִי ס"ד...?) means if it should enter your mind to say...?. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. An opening for a…
Full entry: i salka da'atakh...? - i s"d...?i-ba'eit eima (אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא) means if you wish, say. On the daf it is the term that brings a proof. An opening for an additional resolution. It also appears in the Gemara in this form: `אי…
Full entry: i-ba'eit eimaihu (אִיהוּ) means he, it. It is a pronoun of Talmudic Aramaic. The basic third-person singular pronoun. It also serves as the copula ('הוא'), meaning 'this is' or 'he is'.
Full entry: ihuihi (אִיהִי) means she, it. It is a pronoun of Talmudic Aramaic. The feminine equivalent of 'איהו' (ihu). An essential pronoun for discussions concerning women, such as family law and torts.
Full entry: ihiAyyedei de... (אַיְידֵי ד...) means since. On the daf it is the term that brings a proof. Its meaning is: since you are teaching this matter. For example: if in the Seifa (latter part of a source)…
Full entry: Ayyedei de...ika de'amrei (אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי) means there are those who say. On the daf it is the term that reports a statement. An opening phrase used to introduce an alternative version of the statement.
Full entry: ika de'amreiIlu (אילו) means if (contrary to fact). It is a connective of the argument. Used to present a hypothetical condition, often contrary to reality.
Full entry: Ilueilima (אילימא) means if you would say, if we say. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. Presents a suggestion or possibility that will be rejected later, as part of a clarification…
Full entry: eilimaEima (אֵימָא) means Say / I will say. It is a verb of the sugya. One of the most versatile words in Talmudic discourse. It can suggest a distinction (e.g., 'Say the latter part...'), propose an…
Full entry: Eimaeima seifa...? (אֵימָא סֵיפָא...?) means say the latter part...?. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. An opening for a difficulty (קֻשְׁיָא - kushya), it comes to say: Let us go to…
Full entry: eima seifa...?eima reisha...? (אֵימָא רֵישָׁא...?) means say the first part...?. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. A query opener, meaning: let us refer to the first part (רֵישָׁא - reisha) of…
Full entry: eima reisha...?In, hachi nami (אִין, הָכִי נָמֵי) means yes, so too. On the daf it is the term that closes a resolution. An expression used in two ways: A. As a question, meaning: 'Is it really so?!' B. As an…
Full entry: In, hachi namiinnun (אִינּוּן) means they (m.). It is a pronoun of Talmudic Aramaic. The basic third-person plural pronoun. Often used to refer to the opinions of other Sages or groups.
Full entry: innuneini (איני) means Is that so?; Is it possible?. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. Often serves as an opening for a rejection or a difficulty, usually regarding a person or a…
Full entry: einieini... ve'ha...?! (אֵינִי... וְהָא...?!) means is it so... and behold...?!. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. When there is a difficulty (קוּשְׁיָא) with a matter stated in the…
Full entry: eini... ve'ha...?!itiveih...? (אִיתִיבֵהּ...?) means he responded to him. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. A query opener against an Amora, based on a Tannaitic source (Mishnah, Baraita, Tosefta).
Full entry: itiveih...?Itvei (איתיביה) means He raised a difficulty against him, he retorted (with a difficulty). On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. An expression indicating the presentation of a…
Full entry: ItveiIttmar (אִיתְּמַר) means It was stated (by Amoraim). It is a phrase of the argument. Opens a new sugya by presenting a dispute among Amoraim or a statement by an Amora. This is one of the distinct…
Full entry: Ittmarachati (אכתי) means still, yet, indeed. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. Common in rhetorical questions and in expressing continuation.
Full entry: achatiela (אֶלָּא) means rather. On the daf it is the term that closes a resolution. An opening for proposing a new opinion / explanation. It generally comes to indicate that the previous explanation or…
Full entry: elaela i itmar, hakhi itmar (אֶלָּא אִי אִתְּמַר, הָכִי אִתְּמַר) means but if it was stated, thus it was stated. On the daf it is the term that closes a resolution. An opening for a resolution, which…
Full entry: ela i itmar, hakhi itmarElla me-ha, leika le-mishma mineh (אֶלָּא מֵהָא, לֵיכָּא לְמִשְׁמַע מִנֵּהּ) means but from this, nothing can be inferred from it. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. When the Gemara…
Full entry: Ella me-ha, leika le-mishma minehaliba de'rabi ploni... (אַלִּיבָּא דר' פְּלוֹנִי...) means according to Rabbi So-and-so. On the daf it is the term that reports a statement. Meaning: according to the opinion of Rabbi Ploni... /…
Full entry: aliba de'rabi ploni...Ileima...? Ela... (אִלֵימָא ...? אֶלָּא...) means if we say...? rather. On the daf it is the term that raises a difficulty. When the Gemara begins with the word אִלֵימָא (eileima: 'if you would…
Full entry: Ileima...? Ela...alma (אַלְמָא) means Consequently; It follows that. It is a connective of the argument. A conjunctive word that presents a direct logical conclusion from what was stated previously. It is often used…
Full entry: almaalma... (אַלְמָא...) means it follows that. On the daf it is the term that brings a proof. An opener for proposing a conclusion (מַסְקָנָה - maskana) derived from what was previously stated in the…
Full entry: alma...elef (אֶלֶף) means thousand. It is a numeral of the Gemara. The word "אלף" serves as a cardinal numeral indicating a quantity of one thousand, as in discussions involving population counts or…
Full entry: elefalfa (אַלְפָא) means thousand. It is a numeral of the Gemara. Similar to Hebrew, used for the number 1000. The plural is אַלְפִין (alfin).
Full entry: alfaim timtzei lomar.. (אִם תִּמְצֵי לוֹמַר..) means if you wish to say. On the daf it is the term that closes a resolution. An expression that appears as a reconciliation for two sides of a doubt, by…
Full entry: im timtzei lomar..ammai (אַמַּאי) means why?. It is an adverb of the daf. The question 'why', likely a combination of 'על מאי' (al mai – concerning what). It is used to inquire about the reason or purpose of a law or…
Full entry: ammaiamora'im (אָמוֹרָאִים) means interpreters. On the daf it is the term that reports a statement. The Sages of the Talmud in the generations following the sealing of the Mishnah, who interpreted the…
Full entry: amora'imʾamar (אֲמַר) means he said. It is a verb of the sugya. The most common verb in the Talmud, opening almost every statement (מֵימְרָא) of an Amora. The plural form is 'אמרי' (amrei).
Full entry: ʾamaramar mar (אֲמַר מַר) means the master said. On the daf it is the term that reports a statement. An introduction to a discussion about a Tannaitic source that was previously mentioned in the Gemara…
Full entry: amar maramar rav / amar rabi (אמר רב / אמר רבי) means Rav / Rabbi (so-and-so) said. On the daf it is the term that reports a statement. A common opening expression for presenting a statement by an Amora or…
Full entry: amar rav / amar rabiamar rav ploni amar rav ploni (אָמַר רַב פְּלוֹנִי אָמַר רַב פְּלוֹנִי) means Rabbi So-and-so said a teaching in the name of another Rabbi. On the daf it is the term that reports a statement. Rabbi…
Full entry: amar rav ploni amar rav ploniamar rav ploni mishmeh de'rav ploni (אָמַר רַב פְּלוֹנִי מִשְּׁמֵהּ דְּרַב פְּלוֹנִי) means Rabbi so-and-so says a teaching in the name of another rabbi. On the daf it is the term that reports a…
Full entry: amar rav ploni mishmeh de'rav ploniAmar Rav... (אמר רב...) means Rav so-and-so said. On the daf it is the term that reports a statement. Introduces a statement by Rav.
Full entry: Amar Rav...Amar Rava (אמר רבא) means Rava said. On the daf it is the term that reports a statement. A reference to the words of the Amora Rava, one of the greatest Amoraim, presenting an opinion, a halakha, or…
Full entry: Amar Rava