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. Also check out our 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 |