ידיד

Hebrew

Etymology

Root
י־ד־ד‎ (y-d-d)

Related to وَدِيد‎ (wadīd, “friendly, beloved”) and 𐎊𐎄 (yd, “beloved”) (according to Even Shoshan dictionary).

Pronunciation

(Modern Israeli Hebrew) IPA^(key): /jaˈdid/

Noun

יָדִיד • (yadíd) m (plural indefinite יְדִידִים‎, singular construct יְדִיד־, plural construct יְדִידֵי־‎, feminine counterpart יְדִידָה‎) [pattern: קָטִיל]

A (male) friend.

Usage notes

While the synonym חָבֵר‎ (khavér) is more common in Modern Hebrew, it is ambiguous between a platonic friend and a romantic one; יָדִיד‎ may therefore be used to avoid this ambiguity, though the question חבר חבר או רק חבר?‎ (khaver khaver o rak khaver?, “boyfriend-friend or just friend?”) is also used.

Synonyms

(friend): חָבֵר‎ m (khavér)

Derived terms

יָזִיז‎ (yazíz)

References

“ידיד” in the Hebrew Terms Database of the Academy of Hebrew Language