How do I say “previous” in Hebrew?

The Main Word for “Previous” in Hebrew

The most common translation of “previous” in Hebrew is קודם (pronounced: kó-dem). This word functions as both an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context in which it’s used. It’s widely applicable and is the go-to choice in most situations where you want to refer to something that came before.

Examples of “קודם” in Sentences

• הפגישה הקודמת הייתה בשבוע שעבר.
  Ha-fgisha ha-kodemét hayta b’shavua she’avar.
  The previous meeting was last week.
• תחזור לעמוד הקודם.
  Tachzor la-amud ha-kodem.
  Go back to the previous page.
• כבר דיברנו על זה קודם.
  Kvar dibarnu al ze kodem.
  We already talked about this before/previously.

Gender and Agreement in Hebrew

Hebrew nouns and adjectives must agree in gender and number. The word “קודם” changes form to match the noun it describes:

• Masculine singular: קודם (kódem)
• Feminine singular: קודמת (kodémet)
• Masculine plural: קודמים (kodmím)
• Feminine plural: קודמות (kodmót)

For example, if you refer to a feminine noun like “lesson” (שיעור – shiur), you would say “השיעור הקודם” (ha-shiur ha-kódem) for “the previous lesson.” But for a feminine noun like “class” (כיתה – kita), you would use “הכיתה הקודמת” (ha-kitá ha-kodémet).

Other Ways to Say “Previous” in Hebrew

While “קודם” is the standard, there are a few other ways to convey the meaning of “previous” in Hebrew, depending on the context:

1. לשעבר (Le-sha’avar)

This means “former” or “previous” in the context of a title or role, such as a previous president or former manager.

• הנשיא לשעבר
  Ha-nasi le-sha’avar
  The former president

2. לפני (Lifné)

While this literally means “before,” it can sometimes be used in a similar way to “previous,” especially when talking about time.

• היום שלפני
  Ha-yom she-lifné
  The day before (the previous day)

Tips for Practicing “Previous” in Hebrew

• Practice forming sentences about past events, using both masculine and feminine forms.
• Read Hebrew articles or listen to podcasts and try to spot the word “קודם” or its variations.
• Use language learning tools like Talkpal’s AI-powered Hebrew practice sessions to get real-time feedback as you use new vocabulary in context.

Common Phrases and Expressions

Here are some frequently used phrases with “previous” in Hebrew that you might encounter:

• החודש הקודם – The previous month
• הפעם הקודמת – The previous time
• העבודה הקודמת שלי – My previous job

Summary: Mastering “Previous” in Hebrew

Adding the word “previous” to your Hebrew vocabulary will make your conversations and understanding of texts much richer. Remember that “קודם” is the most versatile and commonly used term, but be mindful of gender and number agreement. With regular practice, especially using resources like the interactive lessons on Talkpal, you’ll be able to use “previous” accurately and confidently in any Hebrew conversation. Happy learning!