אָמֵן
amen
Amen is a Hebrew word that means certainly, so be it
What it means
Amen is the Hebrew word for certainly or so be it, said to confirm a prayer or a blessing. It comes from a root meaning firm and reliable, the same root as emunah, faith. It already occurs in the Hebrew Bible, in Numbers 5:22, and English took it through Greek and Latin.
When Israelis say it
Saying amen after a blessing goes back at least to the Second Temple period, when it answered songs chanted by the Levites. In Jewish practice those who hear a blessing customarily answer amen, while the person who says it does not usually answer amen to their own blessing. In everyday speech it also expresses firm agreement. The word has also passed into Christian worship.
How to answer
To a blessing, listeners customarily answer amen.
Frequently asked questions
What does amen literally mean?
Certainly, truly. It comes from a Hebrew root meaning firm and reliable, which also gives emunah, faith.
Who says amen?
The listeners. The person saying a blessing does not usually say amen to it.