What Does Dovka Mean Anyway?

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

A great sentiment. But, much is lost in translation. The dictionary didn't, or couldn't,  conveyed the full meaning of the word.

The word dovka (דווקא) -- or davka as it's sometimes spelled -- is often used in modern Hebrew, but is borrowed from Aramaic. It's a notoriously difficult word to translate. And I've read there really is no English equivalent. But let's try!

In a 2012 Haaretz newspaer article, Shoshana Kordova wrote:

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.”

​An easy way to think of the meaning of dovka in modern Hebrew is meticulously or precisely, but often in an ironic or sarcastic way. However, it can also mean "in spite of," or "to spite." I find examples are the most helpful, so here are a few more:

"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.’

​No matter the exact translation, I still think it's a fitting name for a boat. Plus, I'm not in a mood to provoke Neptune.