Checking out some of the markets in Israel is a definite must on any trip to Israel. For the ultimate shuk (market) experience, you really should check out Carmel market in Tel Aviv or Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem.
And to feel like you’re really mixing it with the locals, here are some important Hebrew phrases you might want to try out (and of course, you could always swear in Hebrew if you really want to get down and dirty!):
how much is it? | ka-ma ze o-leh? | כמה זה עולה?
potato | tapuakh adamah | תפוח אדמה
apple | tapuakh | תפוח
carrot | gezer | גזר
tomato | agvaniyah | עגבניה
cucumber | melafefon | מלפפון
lettuce | kha-sa | חסה
celery | se-leri | סלרי
basil | bazi-likum | בזיליקום
parsley | petrozil-yah | פטרוזיליה
coriander/cilantro | kusbara | כוסברה
lemons | limonim | לימונים
pomegranate | rimon | רימון
garlic | shum | שום
onion | batsal | בצל
1/2 kilogram | khe-tzi kilo | חצי קילו
500 grams | khamesh me-ot gram | חמש מאות גרם
200 grams | mata-im gram | מאתיים גרם
100 grams | me-a gram | מאה גרם
One thing you will have to be wary of on your visit in the tendency for the stallholders to give you more food than you want. It is OK to buy 2 apples, don’t let the stallholder shove any extra food in you bag that you have to pay for!
I don’t want any more | ani lo rotse yoter | אני לא רוצה יותר
I have enough | yesh li maspik | יש לי מספיק
You can put the rest back, I don’t want it | atah yakhol lasim et haye-ter bakhazara, ani lo rotse et ze | אתה יכול לשים את היתר בחזרה, אני לא רוצה את זה
Sometimes they give you extra presents after they’ve weighed your bags and you’ve paid, and that is a nice treat.
Enjoy your market experience – and don’t forget to try out some of the above!
Thanks to Jo over at Gingerhood for contributing to this article!