In Hebrew, what is the difference between the verbs "ציר" and "צבע"?

Question

In the context of drawing/painting. In English (sorry if this seems obvious but I will just state it anyway) there are two words, "draw" means to make a picture with dry media, like a pen, or pencil, and paint means to use wet paint usually by brushing. Something I've been confused about is, what does the word "מצייר" specifically mean? I've heard it used for 'painting' and for 'drawing'. I've also heard the word "צבע" Obviously צבע means colour. Do you perceive there is any difference between the two words? תודה רבה Sorry if anyone doesn't like this question. To learn a language I have to ask silly questions and mess stuff up.

Frida S · Accepted Answer

the radix צור means to make a form. hence ציר is to make a picture by any means, colours or gray scale. the occupatin is the artist who makes such pictures.
the radix צבע means colour. the verb is to colour, to cover by paint  and the occupatin is someone who paints walls, furniturs, etc.

? · Answer

Heh, interesting nuance.  As someone who learned Modern Hebrew in university herself a couple of years ago I just looked it up on milon morfix :P.

Here's what I got:
http://www.morfix.co.il/%D7%9C%D7%A6%D7%91%D7%A2
http://www.morfix.co.il/%D7%9C%D7%A6%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A8

It seems to me from that dictionary that ××¦×××¨ has more of a connotation of depicting something through any means, while ××¦××¢ is more concerned about color and painting (which follows your logic of ×¦××¢ the noun).  Honestly though, I could imagine them being interchangeable in some cases as well, Modern Hebrew as a language has only been around in widespread usage for about 65 years. and furthermore, my native-speaking Hebrew teacher would be indifferent about alot of these synonym questions whenever we brought them up xD.  ××××× vs ××××¨ vs ××¡×¤×¨ for example lol.  Sometimes they overlap, sometimes they don't...MEH :P.

In Hebrew, what is the difference between the verbs "ציר" and "צבע"?

2 Answers