כלבלב

Hebrew

Etymology

Root
כ־ל־ב (k-l-b)

A diminutive form of כֶּלֶב (“dog”) formed by repeating the last two letters, ־לב. Compare with חֲתַלְתּוּל (chataltul, “a kitten, a kitty”) (from חָתוּל (chatúl, “a cat”)).

Pronunciation

• (Modern Israeli Hebrew) IPA^(key): /klavˈlav/

Noun

כְּלַבְלַב • (klavláv) m (plural indefinite כְּלַבְלַבִּים, singular construct כְּלַבְלַב־) [pattern: קְטַלְטַל]

1. doggy; a small friendly dog
2. puppy