Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Mar 1, 2005 18:02
19 yrs ago
Hebrew term
Garry Dring
bubalah
Non-PRO
Hebrew to English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
General pleasantry in conversation
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 +6 | Sweetheart |
Emil Tubinshlak
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| 5 +2 | dolly (literally), equivalent to "babe" |
judithyf
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Proposed translations
+6
9 mins
Emil Tubinshlak
Canada
Canada
Native in English
Specializes in field
Canada
Excellence in all areas
Native in: English 
Works in: Russian to English, Hebrew to English
Selected
Sweetheart
I would translate it as "sweetheart" or "sweetie", or "honey", or "sugar", depending on the context - Lit. it means "doll"
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+2
12 hrs
dolly (literally), equivalent to "babe"
This is an affectionate, sometimes slightly contemptuous, diminuitive of doll - "bubah" in Hebrew. If referring to a child, it would mean a good,well-behaved little girl. If used in addressing an adult woman, it somewhat belittles her, puts her in her place.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
TranslatonatoR
: I agree with the first part, but "babe" is much more sexier then "bubaleh", and in US atleast, being called a "babe" in no way bellitles a woman. Unless its a holler comming from a car of drunk teenagers driving by.
1 hr
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| neutral |
gfrim
: This phrase originated as a Yiddish expression. It literally means "little doll". I agree with TranslatonatoR that it does not necessarily have a negative connotation for an adult.
8 hrs
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| agree |
Rutie Eckdish
: As usual - Judith - getting the taste of the word!
21 hrs
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|
Thank you. I stick by my opinion that an adult woman addressed as bubaleh is being belittled. I would certainly bristle if anyone addressed me like that...
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| agree |
liora (X)
: yes. a feminist might not like being called a "bubaleh".
2 days 38 mins
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