Understanding economic terms in Hebrew can be a bit challenging for language learners, especially when some terms seem to be quite similar. Two such terms that often cause confusion are מחיר (Mechir) and תשלום (Tashlum). While both relate to money and payments, they are used in different contexts. In this article, we will break down these terms, provide clear definitions, and give example sentences to help you grasp their meanings and uses.

מחיר (Mechir) – Price

מחיר means “price.” It refers to the cost of a product or service. When you see a price tag on an item or ask how much something costs, you are dealing with the מחיר.

מה המחיר של הספר הזה?

In this example, the question asks about the price of a book. The term מחיר is used to inquire about the cost.

Different Contexts for מחיר

מחיר is commonly used in various contexts such as shopping, negotiations, and advertisements. Here are a few more examples:

מחיר הדירה גבוה מאוד.

This sentence states that the price of the apartment is very high.

המחיר של המחשב ירד בשבוע שעבר.

Here, the sentence indicates that the price of the computer decreased last week.

תשלום (Tashlum) – Payment

תשלום means “payment.” It refers to the act of paying or the sum of money paid for something. While מחיר is about the cost of an item, תשלום is about the actual transaction or the money being handed over.

התשלום יבוצע במזומן.

This sentence means that the payment will be made in cash. The term תשלום is used to describe the act of paying.

Different Contexts for תשלום

תשלום can be used in various contexts such as bills, installments, and fees. Here are a few more examples:

הם הסכימו על תשלום חודשי.

This sentence states that they agreed on a monthly payment.

התשלום עבור השירותים נעשה מראש.

Here, the sentence indicates that the payment for the services was made in advance.

Comparing מחיר and תשלום

Now that we have a clear understanding of both terms, let’s compare them in different scenarios to highlight their distinctions.

Shopping Scenario

When you are shopping, you will encounter both מחיר and תשלום. The מחיר is what you see on the price tag, while the תשלום is what you do at the cashier.

המחיר של החולצה הזו הוא 100 שקלים, והתשלום יבוצע באשראי.

In this example, the price of the shirt is 100 shekels, and the payment will be made by credit card.

Service Scenario

When dealing with services, the מחיר is the cost quoted by the service provider, while the תשלום is the money you pay for the service.

המחיר של התיקון הוא 500 שקלים, והתשלום מתבצע בסיום העבודה.

In this scenario, the cost of the repair is 500 shekels, and the payment is made upon completion of the work.

Installments Scenario

Sometimes, payments are made in installments. Here, the מחיר is the total cost, and the תשלום is the amount paid in each installment.

המחיר של המוצר הוא 1200 שקלים, והתשלום מתבצע בשלושה תשלומים של 400 שקלים כל אחד.

This example shows that the total price of the product is 1200 shekels, and the payment is made in three installments of 400 shekels each.

Additional Economic Terms

To further enrich your vocabulary, here are some additional economic terms in Hebrew with their explanations and example sentences:

הנחה (Hanacha) – Discount

A reduction in the price of an item or service.

הם קיבלו הנחה של 20% על המוצר.

This sentence means they received a 20% discount on the product.

מס (Mas) – Tax

A compulsory contribution to state revenue, added to the cost of some goods, services, and transactions.

המס על מוצרים מיובאים גבוה מאוד.

Here, the sentence indicates that the tax on imported goods is very high.

תקציב (Takziv) – Budget

An estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time.

התקציב לפרויקט הזה הוא מיליון שקלים.

This sentence states that the budget for this project is one million shekels.

הלוואה (Halva’ah) – Loan

A sum of money that is borrowed and expected to be paid back with interest.

הם לקחו הלוואה מהבנק כדי לקנות בית.

In this example, it means they took a loan from the bank to buy a house.

ריבית (Ribit) – Interest

The cost of borrowing money, usually expressed as a percentage of the amount borrowed.

הריבית על ההלוואה הזו היא 5% לשנה.

This sentence indicates that the interest on this loan is 5% per year.

הכנסה (Hachnasa) – Income

Money received, especially on a regular basis, for work or through investments.

הכנסה חודשית של המשפחה היא 15,000 שקלים.

Here, the sentence means that the family’s monthly income is 15,000 shekels.

הוצאה (Hotza’ah) – Expense

The cost required for something; the money spent on something.

ההוצאה על חינוך היא חלק משמעותי מהתקציב המשפחתי.

This example states that the expense on education is a significant part of the family budget.

השקעה (Hashka’ah) – Investment

The action or process of investing money for profit or material result.

השקעה במניות יכולה להיות רווחית אך גם מסוכנת.

This sentence indicates that investment in stocks can be profitable but also risky.

חוב (Chov) – Debt

Money that is owed or due.

החוב שלהם לבנק הוא 200,000 שקלים.

Here, the sentence means their debt to the bank is 200,000 shekels.

עבודה (Avodah) – Work/Job

Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.

הוא מצא עבודה חדשה בעיר אחרת.

This example states that he found a new job in another city.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between מחיר and תשלום is crucial for anyone learning Hebrew, especially when dealing with economic terms. מחיר refers to the cost or price of an item or service, while תשלום refers to the act of paying or the payment itself. By mastering these terms and their proper contexts, you will be better equipped to navigate financial conversations in Hebrew.

Additionally, expanding your vocabulary with other related economic terms will further enhance your understanding and ability to communicate effectively. Keep practicing and using these terms in your daily life to solidify your knowledge and boost your confidence in using Hebrew for economic discussions.