lehavdil
English
editAlternative forms
editEtymology
editFrom Yiddish להבֿדיל (lehavd(i)l), which in turn derives from Hebrew לְהַבְדִּיל (l'havdíl), the infinitive of הִבְדִּיל (hivdíl, “to separate, to distinguish”).
Pronunciation
edit- (General American) IPA(key): /lə.ˈhɑv.dɪl/, /lə.ˈhɑv.dil/, /lə.hɑv.ˈdil/
Interjection
editlehavdil
- excuse the comparison
Usage notes
editPut in a parenthetical phrase when mentioning two items, one of which is sacred, great, or happy, and the other of which is profane, inconsequential, or sad. It is commonly placed between the items to separate them, but is also used at the end or beginning of a sentence.[1]