beth
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The second letter of the Hebrew alphabet (ב): It represents the sound /b/ or /v/ (when it contains a dot, known as a dagesh, it is pronounced /b/; without the dot, it is pronounced /v/). In the Hebrew numbering system (gematria), it has the numerical value of two.
Usage
- Beth is used when referring to the letter itself within the context of the Hebrew language, its alphabet, or its writing system.
- It is a transliterated term from Hebrew into English.
Examples
- The word "bayit" (house) begins with the letter beth.
- In the Hebrew alphabet, aleph is the first letter and beth is the second.
- The character ב is the form of beth in modern Hebrew script.
Advanced Usage
- As a prefix: In Hebrew, the letter beth (בּ) often functions as a prepositional prefix meaning "in," "with," or "by."
- Example: The word "בַּיִת" (bayit) means "house." The prefix "בְּ" (bə-) added to it forms "בְּבַיִת" (bəvayit), meaning "in a house."
Variants and Related Words
- Bet: An alternative, common transliteration for the same Hebrew letter.
- Vet: The name for the letter ב when it is pronounced as /v/ (without the dagesh dot).
Synonyms
- (None for the letter itself. Synonyms would not apply to a specific character in an alphabet.)
Related Phrases
- Alpha and beta / Aleph and beth: Sometimes used to refer to the fundamentals or basics of a subject, drawing from the first two letters of the Greek and Hebrew alphabets, respectively.
Noun
- the 2nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet