Speaking the language - Survival Hebrew
Whenever travelling to a new country it quickly becomes a mission for most of us to pick up some of the local lingo. Israel is, of course, no exception. It might be a little harder, what with the guttural phonetics at work in Hebrew that make it sound like we’re coughing up something nasty, but there’s nothing like charming the locals and getting a smile for your efforts.
Here are a few of the basic words and expressions you can use to make your trip that much more enjoyable. Watch out for our upcoming Uncensored Survival Hebrew section, all those words that you know you probably shouldn’t use, but it’s still fun trying them out!
Please note: the coughing up something nasty sound is usually made when you spot the “ch” sound in the list below. For example, eych korim lacha (what is your name?) should be pronounced eykkkkkkh korim lacccchhha. Enjoy!
|
Do you speak? |
ata medaber? |
|
English |
anglit |
|
French |
tzar-fa-teet |
|
What is your name? |
eych korim lacha? |
|
Nice to meet you |
nayim mayod |
|
Restrooms |
sherutim |
|
Where do you live? |
eyfo ata gar? |
|
What time is it? |
ma ha’sha’a? |
|
you’re welcome |
bevakasha |
|
Left |
smol |
|
Right |
yemin |
|
Friend |
chaver (m), chavera (f) |
|
How much does this cost? |
kama ze o’le? |
|
The bill, please |
cheshbon, bevakasha |
|
sweet/cute |
chamud |
|
all right/ ok |
b’seder |
|
I have |
yesh-li |
|
Do you have? |
yesh-lacha?(m),yesh-lach?(f) |
|
I |
ani |
|
mine |
sheli |
|
you |
ata(m), aht(f) |
|
your |
shel-cha, shel-ach |
|
excuse me |
s’leecha |
|
Where are you from? |
meyefo at(f), ata(m) |
|
good evening |
erev tov |
|
good morning |
boker tov |
|
good night |
lailah tov |
|
hello |
shalom |
|
goodbye |
shalom |
|
Bon appetite |
bit-a-yavon |
|
hebrew |
ivrit |
|
A little |
katzat |
|
please |
bevakasha |
|
post office |
doar |
|
children |
yeladim |
|
thank you |
toda |
|
A cup of tea |
cos tay |
|
A cup of coffee |
cos ka-feh |
|
what is this? |
ma zeh |
|
what? |
ma |
|
how are you? |
mah nish-mah? |
|
when? |
mah-tai |
|
where? |
eyfo |
|
why? |
lah-mah |
|
yes |
ken |
|
no |
lo |
|
hot |
cham |
|
cold |
kar |
|
I do not understand |
ani lo mevin(a) (f) |
|
Ice cream |
glida |
|
Water |
mayim |
|
Taxi |
monit |
About the Author: Ashley intended staying in Israel for a couple of months...18 years later, married to a local girl with 2 (er, make that 
Moshe Z. | Apr 2, 2009 | Reply
What is the difference between “ma” and “mah”? and between “nayim” and “na’eem”?
What is “lacha” is it like “lecha” and “lach”?
Is there also a big “bit-a-yavon”?
Does “katzat” comes from “Katzav”?
I live here about 50 years and never heard the words “bevakasha” and “toda”, can you elaborate on that or is that Arabic?
B | Apr 3, 2009 | Reply
> What is the difference between “ma” and “mah”? and between “nayim” and “na’eem”?
No difference, pronounced the same.
> What is “lacha” is it like “lecha” and “lach”?
Yes
> Is there also a big “bit-a-yavon”?
I’m not sure what you mean. The literal translation is “in appetite”. It is generally not modified.
> Does “katzat” comes from “Katzav”?
I’m not sure what you mean by “Katzav” but the answer is probably no.
> I live here about 50 years and never heard the words “bevakasha” and “toda”, can you elaborate on that or is that Arabic?
If by “here” you mean Israel, I find that very hard to believe. While Israelis can be rude, you’re bound to hear Please and Thank You and least every once in a while. It is not Arabic, it is Hebrew and it is common.
KroazDu | Jul 22, 2009 | Reply
@Moshe: what’s the ivrit for sarcasm?