hatikvah
LowFormal, ceremonial, historical
Definition
Meaning
The national anthem of the State of Israel.
Literally means 'the hope' in Hebrew; symbolises the two-thousand-year-old aspiration for Jewish sovereignty in their ancestral homeland.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While 'hatikvah' (lowercase) is a common Hebrew noun meaning 'the hope', 'Hatikvah' (capitalised) refers specifically to the anthem. In non-Israeli contexts, it is primarily understood as the anthem.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical; both refer to the Israeli national anthem. No regional variation in meaning.
Connotations
Carries strong connotations of Jewish identity, Zionism, and modern Israeli statehood. May evoke political sentiments depending on context.
Frequency
Rare in general discourse outside of discussions of Israel, Jewish culture, or international events like the Olympics or Eurovision.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[The crowd/They] sang Hatikvah.Hatikvah was played by [the orchestra/the band].The ceremony concluded with Hatikvah.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “none directly; the title itself is metaphorical.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, political, or cultural studies discussing Israel, Zionism, or national symbols.
Everyday
Used when referring to events where the anthem is played (sporting events, official ceremonies, Jewish community gatherings).
Technical
May be referenced in musicology concerning national anthems or folk melodies (its tune is based on 'La Mantovana').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The assembly will hatikvah? (Not used as a verb)
American English
- They hatikvahed? (Not used as a verb)
adverb
British English
- He sang hatikvah-ly? (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The Hatikvah moment was moving. (noun used attributively)
- A hatikvah-like sentiment (rare)
American English
- It was a very Hatikvah experience. (noun used attributively)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- They played Hatikvah at the game.
- This is the Israeli song Hatikvah.
- Before the concert, the orchestra performed the Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah.
- Do you know the meaning of the word 'Hatikvah'?
- The emotional power of Hatikvah lies in its lyrics, which express a two-millennia-old yearning for a homeland.
- A debate arose about whether to play Hatikvah at the international forum.
- Scholars trace the melody of Hatikvah to a Renaissance Italian song, later adapted across European folk traditions.
- The singing of Hatikvah at the liberation of the concentration camps took on a profoundly poignant significance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HATIKVAH: Hope And The Israeli Kingdom's Very Anthem Hymned.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATION IS A PERSON (with a soul/spirit): 'Hatikvah' represents the enduring soul/spirit (hope) of the Jewish people.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'gat' (гать) meaning 'ford' or 'hat' (шапка). 'Hatikvah' is a Hebrew loanword.
- The '-ah' ending is pronounced /ɑː/, not like Russian 'a'.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as /ˈhætɪkvə/ (with a schwa). The final syllable is stressed /ˈvɑː/.
- Using lowercase 'hatikvah' when referring to the anthem.
- Spelling: 'Hatikva' (missing 'h').
Practice
Quiz
What is the literal meaning of the Hebrew word 'Hatikvah'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it is now the anthem of the modern state, the lyrics were written in the 19th century and express the ancient hope for a return to Zion, which predates the state's founding in 1948.
Yes, when referring to the anthem, it is a proper noun and should be capitalised (like 'God Save the King'). The common noun 'hatikvah' (the hope) is lowercase.
As a gesture of respect at official events where it is played (e.g., international sports matches), it is generally appropriate to stand quietly. Actively singing along is less common but not forbidden; context and intent are key.
The melody is based on 'La Mantovana', a 16th/17th-century Italian song. It was adapted by the composer Samuel Cohen in 1888 for the poem 'Tikvatenu' which became Hatikvah.