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Endearment

נשמה

Neshama

/neh-shah-MAH/

Soul — used as sweetheart, my dear (literally: my soul)

💬What does Neshama mean in Hebrew?

Neshama (נשמה, pronounced neh-shah-MAH) literally means "soul" but is used as a deeply warm term of endearment in Hebrew — similar to "my darling" or "my dear". "Neshama sheli" (my soul) is one of the most affectionate things you can say to someone. "Hu/hi neshama" (he/she is a soul) means someone is a genuinely wonderful, kind person.

🔊How to pronounce Neshama

נשמה

Neshama

neh-shah-MAH

Capitals = stressed syllable

The Hebrew script reads right-to-left. The English transliteration uses the Israeli Sephardic pronunciation standard.

🇮🇱When do Israelis use Neshama?

"Neshama sheli" (my soul) is a profound term of endearment — deeper than motek. Used for someone you genuinely care about. Also used to call someone a good person: "hu neshama" (he's a soul / he's a sweetheart of a person). Can be used for children, partners, close friends.

📝Neshama in a sentence — examples

1

נשמה שלי, איך היה לך?

Neshama sheli, eikh haya lakh?

My soul, how was your day?

2

הוא נשמה, תמיד מוכן לעזור.

Hu neshama, tamid mukhan la'azor.

He's a sweetheart — always ready to help.

3

תודה, נשמה, לא ידעתי מה הייתי עושה בלעדיך.

Toda, neshama, lo yadati ma hayiti ose bilvadekha.

Thank you, dear, I don't know what I would have done without you.

📖Origin of Neshama

From Hebrew/Aramaic "neshama" (נשמה — soul, breath). Deep spiritual term repurposed as everyday endearment.

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