"סליחה, אתה צריך הזמנה מיוחדת?"
Translation:Excuse me, do you need a special invitation?
19 CommentsThis discussion is locked.
In Hebrew, הזמנה means both invitation and reservation. So it could also mean: "sir, which invitation/reservation would you like to book, a regular one or a special one?". See my comment below, that's probably what they meant, and messed up with the English translation. Besides, perhaps it's part of the authors' way to express the crispiness of the country...
1408
Once I went (should be הלכתי) to the synagogue on Shabbat (in Prague). I stood at the entrance and they said (written אמר should be אמרו) to me without any irony or sarcasm: "You (plural) need (written in the singular) need a special invitation" so I went (should be הלכתי) home. Yes I was a little annoyed of course.
633
I have two questions I'd be grateful if someone could answer.
- Can this mean "does one need a special invitation" ?
In other words, can "you" mean an indeterminate "you" like in English?
If so, then another question:
- Would this make sense if the speakers are female? Would they still say "אתה" to mean "one"?
958
I don't think so. When I walk up to someone and I'm interrupting them, I say "excuse me," "pardon," "pardon me," or "I beg your pardon," "sorry to interrupt," "forgive my intrusion," "forgive the interruption".... they're all the same thing.