When my parents purchased Dovka in November of 1990, her name was Sea Star. They were willing to risk Neptune's wrath by renaming their new Hallberg Rassy 352, and making her more their own. ​My mom found the word "dovka" in an English/Hebrew dictionary that translated it as "just because." What a perfect name for a boat, she thought. ​Q: Why do you have a boat? A: Just because.... dovka!

Dovka on the hard in Turkey getting ready for launch

In its Aramaic source, the word ‘davka’ taught that one must be precise about things; but Yiddish imbued the word with its useful meaning, which we know today, of ‘thus and no other way’ or ‘doing [something] davka.’”
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Doing something “davka” can mean willfully, spitefully or deliberately taking an action calculated to antagonize, in which case “on purpose” may fit the translation bill: “He says he didn’t mean to lock me out, but I think he did it davka.”
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It can also imply a paradox, something unexpected, whether for the good or the bad. When used in this sense, “actually” may be a good way to get the idea across in English: “She couldn’t stop criticizing the play when she got home, but then she davka wrote a pretty positive review”; “You may think I hate parties, but I davka had a great time.”

"Don't go there, that place is always crowded."
"That is precisely (dovka) why I want to go!”​

"I loved that vase, why did you break it?!" - dovka!" (out of spite).

My parents wanted me to study medicine, so I studied art to לעשות דווקא (la’asot davka), ‘do davka.’ or ‘spite them.’