Streetwise Hebrew

Sometimes you need to ask a driver, or anyone really, “Could you stop here, please?” Today we’ll learn how to say it in Hebrew, and we’ll also find out what it has to do with bowel movements. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Lo otser be-adom – He doesn’t stop in red light – לא עוצר באדום “Tagid li eich la’atsor et ha-dma’ot – Tell me how to stop the tears – תגיד לי איך לעצור את הדמעות La’atsor, la’avod, la’azor – לעצור, לעבוד, לעזור – To stop, to work, to help Ata yachol la’atsor po be-vakasha? – Could you stop here please? – אתה יכול לעצור פה בבקשה Ta’atsor li po vaksha – Stop here for me, please – תעצור לי פה (ב)בקשה “Hizaher, yesh atsor ba-knisa” – Attention, there is a stop sign at the entrance – היזהר, יש עצור בכניסה Atsira ba-derech – A stop on the way – עצירה בדרך Atsirat gshamim – Drought – עצירת גשמים Atsiroot kasha – Severe constipation – עצירוּת קשה Otser – Curfew – עוצר Otser – He is stopping – עוצר Ma’atsar – Detention – מעצר Ma’atsor – Obstacle, mental block –

Gadol, 'big,' and its root, g.d.l, have made a huge career in written and spoken Hebrew. Let’s meet the family today; from mustaches and fast food chains, to towers and plastic surgery. Words and expressions discussed: Gadol – גָּדוֹל Haya gadol – הָיָה גָּדוֹל Ani yodaat elohim, ata Gadol me-hachayim – אֲנִי יוֹדַעַת אֱלוֹהִים, אַתָּה גָּדוֹל מֵהַחַיִים Rosh gadol – רֹאשׁ גָּדוֹל Gdolim – גְּדוֹלִים Ha-tsara itcha she-yesh lecha einayim gdolot – הַצָּרָה אִיתְךָ שְׁיֵשׁ לְךָ עֵינַיִים גְּדוֹלוֹת Yesh anashim she-bonim migdalim – יֵשׁ אֲנָשִׁים שֶׁבּוֹנִים מִגְדָּלִים Ligdol – לִגְדּוֹל Gadalti be-shana – גָּדַלְתִּי בְּשָׁנָה Legadel yeladim – לְגַדֵּל יְלָדִים Legadel safam, zakan – לְגַדֵּל שָׂפָם, זָקָן Lehagdil, lehaktin – לְהַגְדִּיל, לְהַקְטִין Ata rotse lehagdil? – אַתָּה רוֹצֶה לְהַגְדִּיל? Hagdala – הַגְדָּלָה Hagdalat shadayim – הַגְדַלַת שָׁדַיִים Music: Ha-keves ha-shisha-asar – Kshe-eheye gadol (Lyrics here) Sarit Chadad – Rak she-teda et ha-emet (Lyrics here) Rita – Hayinu gdolim (Lyrics here)

Having קשרים in Hebrew means knowing people (in the right places) who can help you get stuff done quickly and efficiently. The root קשר has many uses that you definitely need to know! Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Kesher, ksharim – Connection, connections, knots, ties – קשר, קשרים Le-kesher amiti – For a real relationship – לקשר אמיתי At/a be-kesher karega – Are you in a relationship right now? – את/אתה בקשר כרגע Kesher zoogi – Relationship – קשר זוגי Ma ha-kesher – What's the connection, what does it have to do with it? – מה הקשר Be-kesher le – Regarding – בקשר ל- Shalom ze bekesher la-dira – Hello, this is regarding the apartment – שלום זה בקשר לדירה Shalom, ze bekesher la-modaa – Hi, I am calling about the ad – שלום, זה בקשר למודעה Tihye bekesher – Be in touch! – תהיה בקשר Likshor – To tie, to make a knot – לקשור Likshor ksharim – To make connections – לקשור קשרים Kashur beseret – Tied with a ribbon – קשור בסרט Kashur elayich ba-neshama – Attached to you with my s

Israelis are obsessed with their head, rosh, in Hebrew. There are so many words and expressions with rosh, and today we talk about a few of them. Have a listen and find out what ‘rosh gadol’ and ‘rosh katan’ mean. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: “Al tefached lihyot rosh gadol” – Don’t be afraid to be “rosh gadol” – אל תפחד להיות ראש גדול “Rosh gadol ze davar she-matzil chayim, rosh katan ze davar she-mesaken chaim”. – Rosh gadol is something that saves lives, rosh katan is something that risks lives – ראש גדול זה דבר שמציל חיים, ראש קטן זה דבר שמְסכן חיים  Lesaken – To risk, endanger – לסכן Lehagdil rosh – To be rosh gadol – להגדיל ראש Lehaktin rosh – To be rosh katan – להקטין ראש Rosh ha-shana – Jewish New Year – ראש השנה Rashi – Main – ראשי Rehov rashi – Main street – רחוב ראשי Reshit – Beginning – ראשית Be-reshit – In the beginning – בראשית Be-reshit bara elohim et ha-shamayim ve et ha-aretz – And in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth – בראשית ברא אלוהים

Coffee culture is everywhere in Israel. How do you ask for a cappuccino to go, the Tel-Avivi way? And what’s הפוך דל? Here's your short Hebrew language manual for all you coffeeholics. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: “Ani shote cafe shachor” – I drink black coffee – אני שותה קפה שחור Kafé shachor – Black coffee – קפה שחור Kafé turki – Turkish coffee – קפה טורקי “Hu hizmin ota liglida, hi biksha kafe hafuch” – “He invited her for ice cream, she asked for a cappuccino”. – הוא הזמין אותה לגלידה, היא ביקשה קפה הפוך Kafé hafuch – Cappuccino – קפה הפוך Kafe botz – “Muddy” black coffee – קפה בוץ Kafé namès – Instant coffee – קפה נמס Nes – Miracle – נס Lashevet al cafe – To talk over coffee – לשבת על קפה Taasé li kafé, taasi li kafé – Make me a coffee – תעשה / תעשי לי קפה Kafé im/bli chalav – Coffee with/without milk – קפה עם / בלי חלב Hafuch al chalav dal shuman – Cappuccino with low fat milk – הפוך על חלב דל שומן Hafuch dal – Cappuccino with low fat milk – הפוך דל Kafé im/bli ket

The Hebrew phrase, למה מה קרה, can be literally translated as, “why, what happened.” What do we mean by this expression and how do you use it?   Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Ze koreh – It’s happening – זה קורה Ma koreh? – How are you? – מה קורה Lo nora, koreh – That’s ok, these things happen – לא נורא, קורה “Sha’alti ma kara” – I asked “what happened?” – שאלתי מה קרה Ha-kol yachol likrot – Everything can happen – הכל יכול לקרות Infinitives of roots that end with hei in Pa’al: Likrot, liknot, lir’ot, laasot – לקרות, לקנות, לראות, לעשות “Lama ma kara”- Who do you think you are? Who does he think he is? – למה מה קרה “Lama ma kara, milchama?” – Is there a war outside, that allowed you to behave like this? – מה קרה, מלחמה “Lo yoda’at ma koreh li” – I don’t know what’s happening to me – לא יודעת מה קורה לי Ma kara lach – What happened to you / are you out of your mind – מה קרה לך   Playlist and Clips: Arik Lavi – Ze koreh (lyrics) Shlomo Artzi – Sha’alti Ma Kara (lyrics) Ninet

How do you say I’m tired, beat, drained, knackered, and the like in colloquial Hebrew? And what do you say when you crash on a Tel Avivi couch? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: “Lifamim ani ayef” – Sometimes I am tired – לפעמים אני עייף Ayefoot – Tiredness – עייפות Ani ayef me’avoda – I am tired of work – אני עייף מעבודה Ani ayef me-ha-chayim – I am tired of life – אני עייף מהחיים Ayef met – Dead tired – עייף-מת Ani shafuch – I am wiped – אני שפוך Katav-katuv – Wrote-written – כתב-כתוב Nishpachti al ha-sapa – I crashed on the sofa – נשפכתי על הספה Ha-halon niftach – The window was opened – החלון נפתח Ha-halon patu’ach – The window is open – החלון פתוח Ani ma’uch tilim – I am so wiped – אני מעוך טילים Lim’och – To mash – למעוך Nim’achti kstat al ha-sapa – I crashed a bit on the sofa – נמעכתי קצת על הספה Kamti hafuch ha-boker – I got up completely turned around this morning – קמתי הפוך הבוקר Kamti hafucha , kamti me’ucha – I got up completely turned around (F.) – קמתי הפוכה Ka

Elohim means God in Hebrew. Why does it have a plural suffix at the end? Is it really plural in Modern Hebrew? How do we use elohim in Israeli slang, and what did we borrow from Arabic? Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Elohim – God – אלוהים El, Ela – God, Goddess – אל, אלה Elohim adirim – God Almighty – אלוהים אדירים "Elohim natan lecha be-matana" – God gave you, as a present… – אלוהים נתן לך במתנה Elohim gadol – Nobody knows – אלוהים גדול Elohim yodea – Only God knows – אלוהים יודע Yow, elohim – Oh God – יואו אלוהים Ein lecha/lach elohim – You don't care, huh? – אין לך אלוהים Ani nishba be'elohim – I swear to God – אני נשבע באלוהים Be-elohim – I swear to God – באלוהים Be'elohim, ani lo yodea – I swear, I don't know – באלוהים, אני לא יודע Ze me-elohim – It's a godsend – זה מאלוהים Min allah – From allah – מאלוהים La-allah – Very – לאללה Ani ayef la'allah – I am really tired – אני עייף לאללה Haya kef la'allah – It was really fun – היה כיף לאללה Elohi – Divine – אלוהי Elo

The Hebrew word עין means eye. How do we say it in plural? What is עין הרע? And how do we say ‘The apple of my eye’ in Hebrew? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Ayin – Eye – עין Einayim – Eyes – עיניים “Al tich’asi einayim sheli” – Don’t be mad, darling – אל תכעסי, עיניים שלי  Ooyoon, ayoon – Eyes (Arabic) – عيون – עויון, עיון Ayooni – My darling (Arabic) – عيوني – עיוני Einayim, einayim sheli – Darling – עיניים, עיניים שלי Einai – My eyes – עיניי Be-einai – In my eyes, in my opinion – בעיניי  Be-einecha – In your eyes (m.) – בעיניך Be-einayich – In your eyes (f.) – בעינייך Be-eineha – In her eyes – בעיניה Ze motse hen be-einai – I like it – זה מוצא חן בעיניי Ze lo motse hen be-einai – I don’t like it – זה לא מוצא חן בעיני  Ayin ha-ra – The evil eye – עין הרע Eina bisha – The evil eye (Aramaic) – עינא בישא Bli ayin ha-ra – Touch wood – בלי עין הרע   Playlist and Clips: Yehuda Poliker – Einayim sheli (lyrics)  George Dalaras – Mi Mou Thimonis Matia Mou   Fairouz – El Bosta Ha-

The word Tachles is doing an amazing comeback to spoken Hebrew in the last few years. Where is it from, and what other words do we know from the same family? Words and expressions we talk about: תַּכְלִית tachlitתַּכְלִיתִי tachlitiרַב תַּכְלִיתִי rav tachlitiתַּכְלִיתִיּוּת tachlitiyutתַּכְלִית < תַּכְלֵס tachlit < tachlesשַבָּת < שָאבֵּס shabat < shabesטָלִית < טָאלֵס talit < talesבַּתַּכְלֵס ba-tachles Songs: Shalom Rav, Chava Albersteinhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5KC-F-ziV8Lyricshttp://shironet.mako.co.il/artist?type=lyrics&lang=1&prfid=383&wrkid=4090 Yom Shishi, Hadag Nachashhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR9kivMfwmoLyrics http://shironet.mako.co.il/artist?type=lyrics&lang=1&prfid=333&wrkid=35824

Let’s talk about trains in Hebrew. What’s the root of רכבת, and how is it related to horse riding? Also, what do we call the Jerusalem Light rail in Hebrew and in Arabic? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Rakevet – Train – רכבת Karon shakket – Quiet train car – קרון שקט Lirkav al ofanyaim – To ride a bicycle – לרכב על אופניים Nasati barakevet – I went by train – נסעתי ברכבת Rokhev al sus – Riding a horse – רוכב על סוס Rechiva al susim – Horse riding – רכיבה על סוסים Rekhev – Vehicle – רכב Ha-Rakevet ha-kala – The Light rail – הרכבת הקלה Yeled katan – A little child – ילד קטן Ha-yeled ha-katan – The little child – הילד הקטן Hayeled katan – The child is little – הילד קטן Katar – Locomotive – קטר Kitor – Steam – קיטור   Playlist and Clips: Rakevet Israel Announcement Jerusalem light rail Danny Robas – Rakavot (lyrics)  Ep. no. 30 about hafif HEB Ep. no. 44 about lalechet, going HEB Ep. 186 about linso’a Free HEB version

What’s חפיף, which language did we get it from, and how do you use it in Hebrew slang? Oh, and there’s a verb, too, לחפף. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Chafif (Ar.) – Light (opp. Of heavy), easy going – חפיף Dammo chafif (Ar.) – “His blood is light”, he’s funny, an easy going guy – دمه خفيف – דמו ח’פיף “K’chu chafif et hachayim” – Take life easy – קחו חפיף את החיים “Im mashehu kara, hafif ze lo nora” – If something happened, that’s ok, no worries. – אם משהו קרה, חפיף זה לא נורא Chafifnik – Someone who does a sloppy job – חפיפניק Chafifnikiyut – The notion of doing things superficially – חפיפניקיות “Pit’om hitchalta lezayef, lo lehashkia, lechafef” – Suddenly you started slacking, to do a sloppy job – פתאום התחלת לזייף, לא להשקיע, לחפף Hu mechafef – He blows off – הוא מחפף Lama chifafta? – Why didn’t you do it well? – למה חיפפת Mechufaf – Sloppy – מחופף   Playlist and Clips: Eitan Masuri – Hafif (lyrics) Julia Boutros – Ala Ma Yabdou Aviva Avidan – K’chu hafif et ha-

What's Shitat Matsli'ach? And why do they say that everybody needs ksharim in life? What's protektsia? And what's Vitamin P? So many questions, so little time. Today we talk about bureaucracy in Israel. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of This Episode   New Words and Expressions: Shitat matsliach – "The maybe successful technique" – שיטת מצליח "Ani matsliach lehavin pachot" – "I am successful in understanding less" – אני מצליח להבין פחות Im hitslachta/hitslacht – If you succeeded – אם הצלחת Ksharim – Connections – קשרים Tsarich ksharim ba-chayim – One needs to have connections in life – צריך קשרים בחיים Protektsya – Connections – פרוטקציה "Higati la-dalpak, bikashti doctor or, amru li 'ein protektsia, ve-ta'amod ba-tor' – "I reached the counter, I asked for Doctor Or, they told me, no protektsia, and stand in the line". – הגעתי לדלפק, ביקשתי 'דוקטור אור', אמרו לי אין פרוטקציה, ותעמוד בתור "Vitamin P" – Protektsya, connections – ויטמין פי Snif – Branch – סניף "Ha-shvil ha-ze matchil kan, bein snif bank le-maay

We Israelis may not be the most polite people in the world, but from time to time even we say “I’m sorry” and “excuse me.” How do you say it in Hebrew? And what can you answer back? And how is it all connected to Korean? Listen and find out. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Slicha – Forgiveness – סליחה Sole’ach, solachat – Forgiving – סולח, סולחת “Slichot” wikipedia Slach/Slechi li – Excuse me – סלח לי / סלחי לי “Slicha al shepagati bach” – Sorry for hurting you – סליחה על שפגעתי בך “Slicha she-lo hikshavti” – Sorry I didn’t listen – סליחה שלא הקשבתי “Ma-ze slicha”- I’m so sorry – מה-זה סליחה Mamash slicha – So sorry – ממש סליחה Slicha she-ani hai – “Sorry for being alive” – סליחה שאני חי Slicha she-ani noshem – “Sorry for breathing” – סליחה שאני נושם Levakash slicha – To ask for forgiveness, to say you’re sorry – לבקש סליחה “Halachti levakesh slicha” – I went to say I am sorry – הלכתי לבקש סליחה “Ve-at mitstaeret” – And you (f.) are sorry – ואת מצטערת Lehitsta’er – To

When we need to use a foreign word in Hebrew, what do we do? Do we take it as is, or do we invite it to come along and wear Hebrew clothes? And how did my Dad say the word "Washington"? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: "Zot rak comedia yeshana, parodia meshuna" – C'est rien que de la comédie, que de la parodie (It's nothing but a comedy, a parody) – זאת רק קומדיה ישנה, פרודיה משונה Parodya – Parody – פרודיה Comedya – Comedy – קומדיה "Situatsia aluva u-shneinu ba-emtsa" – A pathetic situation and we're in the middle of it – סיטואציה עלובה ואנחנו באמצע Situatsya – Situation – סיטואציה, מצב Emantsipatsya – Emancipation – אמנציפציה Presentatsya, Matseget – Presentation – פרזנטציה, מצגת Lehatsig – To present – להציג Matseget PowerPoint – Powerpoint presentation – מצגת פאוורפוינט Lefarmet – To format – לפרמט Letargem – To translate – לתרגם Lekanfeg – To configure – לקנפג Configuratsya – Configuration – קונפיגורציה Lefargen, firgun – To compliment and to be happy for someone's achi

Israelis are playing it tough most of the time. ​How do you ask an Israeli to do something for you?​ Here are some ideas on how to make your message come across, without sounding too bossy, which might wreak havoc in the Middle East. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Efshar – Possible – אפשר Efshar lekabel mapit? – Could I have a napkin? – אפשר לקבל מפית Efshar mapit? – Could I have a napkin? – אפשר מפית Efshar espresso aroch – Could I have a long espresso? – אפשר אספרסו ארוך Ata yakhol latet li mapit vaksha? – Could you give me a napkin please? – אתה יכול לתת לי מפית בבקשה Ata yakhol ledaber ita? – Could you talk to her? – אתה יכול לדבר איתה Ata yachol ledaber ita? – Could you talk to her? – אתה יכול לדבר איתה Tuchal / tuchli / tuchlu lehagi’a machar ba’erev? – Could you make it tomorrow in the evening? – תוכל/תוכלי/תוכלו להגיע מחר בערב Tuchli lavo be-eser? – Will you be able to come at ten? – תוכלי לבוא בעשר Yesh matsav she titen li t’oto sh’kha? – Is there a way you’d give

Relationships are hard. Here are some Hebrew slang terms to express your undying love — or lack thereof — with your significant other. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Tafur aleyha – She's made to measure for me – תפור עליה Ha-job ha-hadash tafur alai – The new job is cut out for me – הג'וב החדש תפור עליי Tfira – Sewing – תפירה Mechonat tfira – Sewing machine – מכונת תפירה Zamin – Available – זמין "Ha-manui eino zamin ka'et" – The subscriber is not available right now – המנוי אינו זמין כעת Panuy – Vacant, free – פנוי Hu lo panuy – He's taken – הוא לא פנוי Lefanot lachem? – Could I clear your table? – לפנות לכם Ha-manui eino banui le-ahava – The subscriber isn't built for love – המנוי אינו זמין לאהבה Pa'al past participles: Sagur, shamur, patuach, tafur, banui – סגור, שמור, פתוח, תפור, בנוי Sichat yahasenu le'an  – "Where does this relationship go to kinda conversation" – שיחת יחסינו לאן Zo lo at, ze ani / ze lo ata, zo ani – It's not you, it's me – זו לא את, זה אני / זה

The word בסדר means okay, alright, and is one of the first words you learn in Hebrew. But where did it come from and what does it literally mean? And what's the connection to the Ashdod Port? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Beseder – Fine, ok, alright – בסדר Be+seder – In (the) order – בַּסדר Seder pesach – Passover dinner – סדר פסח Lesader – To organize, to put in order – לסדר Sidoor – Organizing – סידור La'asot sidoorim – To run errands – סידורים Ha-klafim mesudarim ba-seder ha-nachon – The cards are organized in the right order – הקלפים מסודרים בסדר הנכון Haya beseder – It was alright – היה בסדר Yihye beseder – It will be alright – יהיה בסדר Etsli hakol beseder – Everything is fine with me – אצלי הכל בסדר Ma kore, ma nishma? Beseder – How are things? Alright – מה קורה, מה נשמע? בסדר Tisgeri et ze ita, beseder? – Finalize it with her, okay? – תסגרי את זה איתה, בסדר "Be-se-der" – Okay, okay, I'll do it – ב-ס-דר Tagid li, ata beseder? – Tell me, are you okay? – תגיד לי, אתה

Imperative in Hebrew: Often the 'real' imperative of our language sounds archaic to us, so we use the future instead. Here's a quick how-to on the Hebrew imperative. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Saper/sapri/sapru – Tell (imp.)! – ספר, ספרי, ספרו Tesaper – You will tell – תספר "Elohim, ten li rak tipat mazal" – God, just give me a bit of luck – אלוהים תן לי רק טיפת מזל "Az titen li shiv'a shkalim" – So just give me 7 shekel then – אז תיתן לי רק שבעה שקלים Ten/tni/tnu! – Give! – תן/תני/תנו "Tni lo perach, tni lo yayin, aval et libech shimri" – Give him a flower, give him wine, but guard your heart – תני לו פרח, תני לו יין, אבל את ליבך שמרי Titen, titni, titnu – You will give – תיתן, תתני, תתנו Emor shalom – Say 'shalom' – אמור שלום Bo – Come – בוא Lech/lechi/lechu – Go – לך/לכי/לכו Sa le'at – Drive slowly – סע לאט Lech/lechi/lechu mi-po! – Go away! – לך/לכי/לכו מפה Shev/Shvi/Shvu – Sit! – שב, שבי, שבו "Al tagidi ken ve'al tagidi lo" – Don't say yes, and don't say no – אל ת

How do we say darling or honey in Hebrew? And can we use kapara and motek to both male and female? Listen to our lovey dovey episode. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of This Episode   New Words and Expressions: “K’chi taxi habaita kapara, lifney she-yihye me’uchar” – Take a taxi home, darling, before it’s going to get late – קחי טקסי הביתה, כפרה, לפני שיהיה מאוחר Kapara – Atonement, forgiveness – כפרה Kapara sheli – My darling – כפרה שלי KaPAra al X – It’s nothing, don’t worry about it (X being a broken glass) – כפרה על משהו Kapara alecha – You’re a darling – כפרה עליך “Lo at lo ashema ma pitom, neshama” – No, you’re not guilty, not at all my darling – לא, את לא אשמה, מה פתאום, נשמה Neshama – Soul – נשמה “Ken, neshama shel aba?” – Yes, my darling? – ?כן, נשמה של אבא “Hu bachur neshama – He’s a really good guy – הוא בחור נשמה Mami (m., f.) – Darling – מאמי Neshamami – Neshama+mami – נשמאמי “Motek, at gdola, motek at yafa” – Honey, you’re great, honey, you’re pretty – מותק, את גדולה, מותק, את יפה “Motek, at s