זה ילד.

this

Breakdown of זה ילד.

• ילד: boy

Questions & Answers about זה ילד.

What does זה mean in this sentence?

Here, זה is a demonstrative word, roughly this. In a sentence like זה ילד, it functions like this is in English.

So the structure is:

זה + ילד
this + boy/child

Hebrew often uses זה in very short identifying sentences like this.

Why is there no word for is?

Because in the present tense, Hebrew usually does not use a separate word for is / am / are.

So:

זה ילד = This is a boy

Even though there is no visible word for is, Hebrew speakers naturally understand it.

Compare:

• זה ילד = This is a boy
• זה היה ילד = This was a boy
• זה יהיה ילד = This will be a boy

In past and future, Hebrew does use forms of to be, but in the present it is usually omitted.

Why is there no word for a?