#62 Learning Hebrew? It's 'Davka' Easy!

The Hebrew word דווקא does not have a direct English translation. Sometimes it means “actually” (as opposed to what you might think). At other times it means “particularly.” So what does the saying לעשות דווקא (to do a דווקא) mean?

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New Words and Expressions:

Davka – Actually, as opposed to what you may think – דווקא

“ze lo kashe bichlal, ze davka kal” – It’s not hard at all, it’s actually easy – זה לא קשה בכלל, זה דווקא קל

“Eich ze kara li, lama davka itcha?” – How did it happen to me, why am I with you – איך זה קרה לי, למה דווקא איתך

“Lama achshav davka kshe-tov li, at kol kach meshuna?” – Why now, when I am actually happy, you’re acting weird – למה עכשיו, דווקא כשטוב לי, את כל כך משונה

Lehargiz, lehach’is – To irritate – להרגיז, להכעיס

Laasot davka – Out of spite – לעשות דווקא

Lav davka – Not necessarily – לאו דווקא

Davka ani ochel shokolad ba-boker – I, of all people, eat chocolate in the morning – דווקא אני אוכל שוקולד בבוקר

Ani davka ochel shokolad ba-boker – As opposed to what you think, I actually eat chocolate in the morning – אני דווקא אוכל שוקולד בבוקר

Ani ochel davka shokolad ba-boker – Of all things one can have for breakfast, I choose to have chocolate for breakfast – אני אוכל דווקא  שוקולד בבוקר

Ani ochel shokolad davka baboker – I specifically choose to have chocolate in the morning (I have my own reasons) – אני אוכל שוקולד דווקא בבוקר

Ani davka beseder – I am actually okay (you expected to hear I am not well) – אני דווקא בסדר

Lama lakachat davka otcha la-tafkid? – Why should we hire you, of all people? – למה לקחת דווקא אותך לתפקיד

Davka shachor, mi-kol hatsvaim? – You have to get black, out of all colors? – דווקא שחור, מכל הצבעים

Hu davka lo mamash ratsa – He actually didn’t really want to – הוא דווקא לא ממש רצה

Davka lo haya kaze nora – It actually wasn’t that bad – דווקא לא היה כזה נורא

Davka yesh li chalav hayom – As opposed to what you think, I do have milk today – דווקא יש לי חלב היום

Playlist and Clips:

Bli Sodot – Ze lo kashe, ze davka kal

Dafna Armoni – Lama Davka Itcha? (lyrics)

Ethnix – Lama Achshav (lyrics)

Avi Toledano & Irit Anavi – Lama Kacha (lyrics)