The Hebrew word ישן (yashan) has a few meanings depending on the context:
1. Sleeping/Asleep:
This is the most common meaning. It describes someone who is in the state of sleep.
Example: הילד ישן במיטה שלו. (Ha-yeled yashen ba-mitah shelo.) – The child is sleeping in his bed.
2. Old/Ancient (for objects, places, concepts):
In this context, ישן describes something that has existed for a long time and is not new. It is not used for people; the word for “old” in reference to people is זקן (zaken).
הספר הזה ישן מאוד. (Ha-sefer hazeh yashan me’od.) – This book is very old.
זה מנהג ישן. (Zeh minhag yashan.) – This is an old custom.
בגדים ישנים. (Begadim yeshanim.) – Old clothes.
