"גשרים בין קהילות הם דבר טוב."

Translation: Bridges between communities are a good thing.

[Dov360473]

I think that "Bridges between communities" does not refer to actual bridges, plural, but is, instead, a metaphor about communication, so "a good thing" refers to the concept, singular.

[DanielCapp5]

I'd say that's a worse locution, but probably the only reason why is aesthetic

[Mabel544786]

If it is refering to the concept (which I agree it probably does), then why not: " גשרים בין קהילות זה דבר טוב"

[DerekZahav]

Because that logic applies to English. The Hebrew copula is plural because the subject is grammatically plural, even if it refers to a single concept.

[houthakker72]

Perhaps, to allow for punctilious English grammar, this should also accept:

Bridges between communities are good things

[Dov360473]

Yes, good thinking.

[tngraham]

It sounds like he's saying קשרים (ties), which also seems to make sense.

[RegiCorvus]

On my Mac, the initial G sound of this sentence doesn't come through clearly. It wasn't a problem when using the given words, but wasn't helpful when using the keyboard.

[Fltiennne]

Singular "is" as we're discussing a concept.

[RegiCorvus]

The initial gimel is inaudible, at least on my computer.

[shalom4me]

I agree. The word "they" needs a plural.

[Allan892482]

Most correct would be "among communities", assuming we are talking about more than two communities.

[Hsn626796]

Why, can't בין (between) refer to different sides, specofically more than 2 ?

[TeribleT]

Learning Hebrew as well, but bein also means "among" and "amid" so I don't see why not. (But just a learner here)

[VivekRaman7]

Is the pronunciation of גשרים correct? I hear it as "gsherim" where as גשר was pronounced as "gesher". I don't recall this difference in pronunciation between singular and plural anywhere else.

[TeribleT]

Gsharim bein kehilot hem davar tov.

[Theresa754142]

It’s very common in Hebrew that when a suffix is added, the first vowel is shortened or eliminated. Qatan becomes qtanot in the feminine plural form, Beged, a piece of clothing, becomes bgadim.

[TeribleT]

Vivek:

גשר = gesher

גשרים = gsharim
(You can always check pealim.com )

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you probably have heard something similar,

•Gever = גבר

גברים = Gvarim•

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גשם = geshem•

גשמים = gshamim•

(Note, I'm learning on Duolingo too, I've just finished the course.)

[JohnPark713661]

Is a good thing?

[Its-me.]

Is this both metaphorical and literal bridges?

[Theresa754142]

I would guess yes, with the metaphorical meaning much more common.

I know that גשר gesher bridge can be literal because one of the sentences in this unit was I walk on the bridge. Ani holekhet al ha-gesher.