In this post we’ll be looking at the root ד-ל-ק. As an example, we have the word לְהַדְלִיק (le’hadleek) “to light” or “kindle (a fire)”.

This root is connected to fire or fuel. In fact, the word for fire is דְלֵיקָה (d’leikah). And when a person lights a fire, he or she מַדְלִיק (madleek) the fire.

If there’s a light (when someone turns on a light or an electrical appliance), we also say that he מַדְלִיק (madleek) it.

When a flame or a light is lit, we say it is דוֹלֶקֶת (doleket). If something is flammable, we say it is דָלִיק (daleek). Speaking of flammable, I also mentioned that the word fuel comes from this root. In Hebrew, all types of fuel are called דֶלֶק (delek) fuel, gas.

The act of putting gas in a car is called קוּלְדִת תִדְלוּק (tidluk).

A gas station attendant is called a מְתַדְלֵק (metdalek).

This root is also used in other ways, such as an infection or inflammation is known as דַלֶקֶת (daleket) – because it has a burning or hot sensation, like a fire.

Slang use

In Hebrew slang, the root ק-ל-ד express situations that involve a strong positive or negative emotion in a person.

זֶה הִדְלִיק אוֹתוֹ – It angered him.
הוּא נִדְלַק עָלֶיהָ – He had the hots for her.
הוּא בָּחוּר מַמָשׁ מַדְלִיק – He is a really cool guy.