Shekel Meaning in English

word

US

ˈʃɛkəɫ

SHEK-uhl

UK

ʃˈɛkəl

SHEK-uhl

Definition

A shekel is the official currency of Israel. Historically, 'shekel' was also an ancient unit of weight and money used in the Middle East.

Usage & Nuances

'Shekel' is mainly used to refer to Israeli currency today, both as 'shekel' (singular) and 'shekels' (plural). When talking about ancient history, it refers to weight or coinage in the Middle East. Modern abbreviation: 'NIS' (New Israeli Shekel). Not commonly used outside financial, historical, or travel contexts.

• Spanish: shéquel (moneda israelí)
• Portuguese (BR): shekel (moeda israelense)
• Portuguese (PT): shekel (moeda israelita)
• Chinese (Simplified): 谢克尔（以色列货币）
• Chinese (Traditional): 謝克爾（以色列貨幣）
• Hindi: शेकल (इज़राइल की मुद्रा)
• Arabic: شيكل (عملة إسرائيلية)
• Bengali: শেকেল
• Russian: шекель
• Japanese: シェケル
• Vietnamese: shekel - đồng shekel
• Korean: 셰켈
• Turkish: şekel
• Urdu: شیکل
• Indonesian: shekel

Example Sentences

I paid with a shekel at the market.

basic

A shekel is worth about 0.3 US dollars.

basic

The official currency of Israel is the shekel.

basic

Do you have any shekels left from your trip?

natural

In ancient times, people traded goods in exchange for shekels of silver.

natural

I couldn't buy the souvenir because I was out of shekels.

natural