Learning a new language is an adventure that opens up a world of communication and culture. For those diving into Hebrew, understanding terms related to nature and the environment can be particularly rewarding. Here’s a look at some essential Hebrew vocabulary centered around nature and the environment, each with its own definition and an example sentence to help you see how it’s used.

טבע (teva) – Nature
This word encapsulates all things naturally occurring, including plants, animals, and geographical formations.
אני אוהב לטייל בטבע.
(I love to hike in nature.)

סביבה (sviva) – Environment
This refers to the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.
זה חשוב לשמור על הסביבה.
(It’s important to protect the environment.)

יער (ya’ar) – Forest
A large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth.
הלכנו לטייל ביער הקרוב.
(We went for a walk in the nearby forest.)

נהר (nahar) – River
A large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another such stream.
הנהר הזה זורם לכיוון הים.
(This river flows toward the sea.)

אגם (agam) – Lake
A large body of water surrounded by land.
הם קפצו לשחות באגם.
(They jumped in to swim in the lake.)

ים (yam) – Sea
The expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth’s surface and surrounds its landmasses.
הים התיכון הוא ים פופולרי בקרב תיירים.
(The Mediterranean Sea is popular among tourists.)

הר (har) – Mountain
A large natural elevation of the earth’s surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level; a large steep hill.
התכנון המקורי היה לטפס על ההר בשחר.
(The original plan was to climb the mountain at dawn.)

מדבר (midbar) – Desert
A barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs, and consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life.
המדבר יכול להיות מקום קשה לחיים.
(The desert can be a difficult place to live.)

נוף (nof) – Landscape/Scenery
The visible features of an area of land, its landforms, and how they integrate with natural or man-made features.
הנוף מהרכבת ההרים הוא מדהים.
(The scenery from the mountain train is breathtaking.)

זיהום (zihoon) – Pollution
The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.
זיהום האוויר הוא בעיה גדולה בערים הגדולות.
(Air pollution is a big problem in big cities.)

שמירת טבע (shmirat teva) – Conservation
The action of conserving something, in this case, nature, by protecting and managing the natural environment and wildlife.
הוא עובד בתחום שמירת הטבע.
(He works in the field of nature conservation.)

גלובלי (globali) – Global
Relating to the whole world; worldwide. In environmental contexts, it often refers to global issues like climate change.
התחממות גלובלית היא אתגר עולמי.
(Global warming is a global challenge.)

אקלים (aklim) – Climate
The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period.
האקלים בארץ הזאת חם ויבש.
(The climate in this country is hot and dry.)

פסולת (psolot) – Waste
Any substance or object which is discarded after primary use, or is worthless, defective, and of no use. Often refers to garbage or pollution.
יש לסדר את הפסולת למחזור.
(The waste should be sorted for recycling.)

הגנת הסביבה (haganat hasviva) – Environmental protection
The practice of protecting the natural environment by individuals, organizations, or governments, on various levels.
הגנת הסביבה החלה לקבל יותר תשומת לב בשנים האחרונות.
(Environmental protection has been receiving more attention in recent years.)

By integrating these Hebrew terms into your vocabulary, you’ll be able to discuss and explore the world of nature and environmental issues with greater depth in the Hebrew language. Remember, like any language learning, practice is key. Use these words often and you’ll not only remember them but also gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of both nature and the Hebrew language.