Streetwise Hebrew

Why do we sometimes repeat the same word twice in Hebrew? Mashu-mashu, gever-gever, for example. Today we’ll talk about reduplication in Hebrew and… about Belize. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Le’at le’at – Slowly – לאט-לאט Mashu-mashu – Great – משהו-משהו Ha-lasagna ha-zot, mashu! – This lasagna is amazing! – הלזניה הזאת, משו Ha-lasagna ha-zot, mashu-mashu! – This lasagna is amazing! – הלזניה הזאת, משו משו Gever-gever – Macho – גבר-גבר Hi isha-isha – She’s a real lady – היא אישה-אישה Chaver-chaver – Serious boyfriend – חבר-חבר  “Oh, politika politika” – Oh politics – הו, פוליטיקה, פוליטיקה Kacha ze, politika, politika- This is how it is, politics- ככה זה, פוליטיקה, פוליטיקה Mishpat mishpat – Sentence by sentence – משפט-משפט Para para – Baby steps – פרה-פרה Ben-Ben – Diminutive of Ben – בן-בן Tal-Tal, ma nishma mami? – Tal, how are you sweetie pie – טל-טל, מה נשמע ממי “Benny, Benny, yeled ra” – Oh Benny, you’re such a bad boy – בני, בני, ילד רע   Playlist and Clips: Sarit

The level of service in Israel can change from day to day, hour to hour. It depends on many factors, like the mood of the serving staff, life in the city, and other seemingly random factors. Guy explains. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: "Lo yodea ma ba li, al ma at mamlitza?" – I don't know what I feel like, what do you recommend? – ?לא יודע מה בא לי, על מה את ממליצה "Az ma ba lanu le-kinu'ach?" – So what do we feel like for dessert? – ?אז מה בא לנו לקינוח "Ha-salat ktsat ayef" – The salad looks a bit tired – הסלט קצת עייף Al ma ata mamlits? – What do you recommend – ?על מה אתה ממליץ "Et hishtachrarti ha-rof'im himlitsu li bikur hodshi bi-nmal ha-te'ufa" – When I was released (from hospital) the doctors recommended a monthly visit at the airport – עת השתחררתי הרופאים המליצו לי ביקור חודשי בנמל התעופה Mamlits – Recommending – ממליץ Hamlatsa – Recommendation – המלצה "Im at rotsa, zo rak hamlatsa, le-seret kolno'a shmeimi" – If you want, it's only a recommendation for a d

Yes, you can learn Hebrew from pop culture. This time we decided to check out reality show Hebrew: We took one episode of The X Factor Israel and wrote down all the adjectives used there. Which ones made it to the top? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   Watch the entire X Factor episode Ze tov, ze tov, by Shokolad, Menta, Mastik   New Words and Expressions:  Tov – Good – טוב Metoraf – Crazy – מטורף “Yesh la yecholot metorafot” – She has crazy abilities – יש לה יכולות מטורפות “Ze she-higati ad kan ze metoraf bishvilii” – The fact I made it up to here is crazy for me – זה שהגעתי עד כאן זה מטורף בשבילי “Asiti po tahalich metoraf” – I went through a crazy process here – עשיתי פה תהליך מטורף “Ani meusheret be-ramot metorafot” – I am happy at crazy levels – אני מאושרת ברמות מטורפות Teruf – Craziness – טירוף “Ze teruf latstet me-ha-bayit be-kor kaze – It’s insane to leave home in this cold – זה טירוף לצאת מהבית בקור כזה Gadol – Big, awesome – גדול Kashe – Hard, difficult – קשה Madhim – Amazing – מדהים Me’ule –

In Hebrew, זזים (we’re making a move), זזנו (we made a move), and נזוז (we’ll make a move) are all used in the same way to say, “yalla, let’s go.” Guy explains. Check Out the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: “Yalla, ani ole la’otobus” – I am getting on the bus – יאללה, אני עולה לאוטובוס “Ata taale laotobus, ata od lo ole” – You will get on the bus, you’re not getting on it yet – אתה תעלה לאוטובוס, אתה עוד לא עולה Zazim – Let’s go – זזים Nazuz? – Shall we make a move? – נזוז Kvar ba’im – We’re coming in a sec. – כבר באים Zaznu? – We’re out of here – ?זזנו Hayinu po? – “We were here” (let’s go) – ?היינו פה Halachnu? Holchim? – Let’s go – ?הלכנו? הולכים Ahavti – I liked, I like – אהבתי “20 shniyot hayitem sham” – “20 seconds and you were there” – עשרים שניות הייתם שם “Az ani potech et hadelet vema ani ro’e?” – So I open the door and what do I see? – אז אני פותח את הדלת ומה אני רואה Ani rats – I run / I am running / I am making a move – אני רץ   Playlist and Clips: Kaveret – Shir Ha-mako

The Hebrew word for husband is בעל, which also means owner. It’s no wonder, then, that so many Israeli women dislike its use. So what can we say instead? Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Ba’al – Husband – בעל Ba’ali – My husband – בעלי Ben ha-zug – Male partner – בן הזוג Bat ha-zug – Female partner – בת הזוג “Ha-ben zug” (coll.) – The male partner – הבן זוג “Ha-bat zug” (coll.) – The female partner – הבת זוג  “Ba’ali hu bediyuk bishvili” – My husband is just right for me – בעלי הוא בדיוק בשבילי Ba’al – Husband – בעל Be’alim – Owner/owners – בעלים Efshar ledaber im ha-be’alim – Could I speak to the owner/s? – אפשר לדבר עם הבעלים? Ishti – My wife – אשתי Bat ha-zug sheli – My female partner – בת הזוג שלי Ishtekha – Your (m.) wife – אשתך Ishtekh – Your (f.) wife – אשתך Ishto – his wife – אשתו Ishta – Her wife – אשתה Nashim – Women – נשים Ishi – My man (my male partner) – אישי “Ba’ali be-milu’im” – My husband is away on reserves duty – בעלי במילואים   Playlist and Clips: May

Cursing* drivers is a national sport in Israel. Here are a few words and phrases you can use the next time someone cuts you off. * Streetwise Hebrew will not be responsible or liable for any misuse of idioms, words, verbs or adjectives mentioned in this show. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Hel’at ha-min ha-enoshi – Scum of the human race – חלאת המין האנושי Evil mashrish – Stupid person – אוויל משריש Ben zona – Son of a bitch – בן זונה Bat zona – Daughter of a bitch – בת זונה Mashu ben zona – A helluva thing – משו בנזונה Maniak – Bastard – מניאק “Haiyti manyak ve-lo yadati she-ani manyak” – I was really a bastard, and I didn’t know that I was a bastard – הייתי מניאק ולא ידעתי שאני מניאק Ya Tamer – Hey Tamer – יא תאמר Ya maniak – You bastard – יא מניאק Ya ben zona – You son of a bitch – יא בן זונה Chatichat, chatchat – A piece of… – חתיכת, חת’כת Chat’chat efes (chatichat efes) – You piece of nobody – חת’כת אפס, חתיכת אפס Ima’shcha (Ima shelcha) – Your mother – אמאש’ך, א

The word שואה, holocaust, used to be a sacred word. Not anymore. Like many loaded words, we used and reused it. Now you can hear people using Sho’a in totally different contexts. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Shoah – Holocaust – שואה Amud ha-esh – Pillar of fire – עמוד האש Yom Hazikaron La-shoah ve-la-gvura (Yom Ha-shoah) – The Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day – יום הזיכרון לשואה ולגבורה, יום השואה Germania ha-natsit – Nazi Germany – גרמניה הנאצית “Ani ba-tor ba-bank, shoah po” – “I am waiting in line in the bank, it’s shoah here” – אני בתור בבנק, שואה פה Shoati – Holocaust-esque, shoah-like – שואתי “Al tihye shoa’ti” – Don’t be sho’ati – אל תהיה שואתי   Playlist and Clips: Amud ha-esh soundtrack by Shem Tov Levy Amud Ha-esh – narration: Yossi banai TV2 interview with animal activist Gary Yourofsky Ep. 97 about the word Amud

The Hebrew language lay dormant for a very long while. When it reemerged from its slumber, we Israelis found ourselves without the right words for all things relating to sex. Just how serious is this problem? Quite serious. Guy explains. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   Words and Expressions: Zayin – Dick – זין Pot, nartik, Vagina – Vagina – פות Kus – Pussy – כוס Le'onen – To masturbate – לאונן Lezayen – To fuck – לזיין Kusit – Chick, babe – כוסית Mizdayenet – She is fucking – מזדיינת Dfika – Fuck (noun) – דפיקה Lidfok – To knock, fuck – לדפוק Dafuk – Fucked up – דפוק Gomeret – Coming (f., sex.) – גומרת Ligmor – To finish, to come (sex.) – לגמור Meonenet – Masturbating (f.) – מאוננת   Playlist & Clips: Ha-dag Nachash & Mazi Cohen – Af Ehad (lyrics) Riki Gal – Na'arat Ha-rok (lyrics) Onan (Wikipedia)   Want to see more Hebrew gems? Like Streetwise Hebrew on Facebook and Instagram. Want Guy to talk about a pressing Hebrew issue? Find him at StreetWiseHebrew.com or follow him on Twitter.

Kombina is one of the most salient features of Israeli society. In order to survive in this country, one needs to fend for oneself, using all possible means: Contacts, resourcefulness and creative ideas. Some Israelis say we are even ‘Medinat Kombina’, a ‘kombina’ state. So how do you use this word, and how can you even turn it into a verb? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Kombina, kombinot – Connections, shady business – קומבינה Kombinator – A person with a shady business; Someone who knows how to ‘get by’ – קומבינטור Tizaharu she-lo tekablu shi’ur be-kombina – Make sure you don’t get a lesson in kombina – תיזהרו שלא תקבלו שיעור בקומבינה Ta’ase kombina – Use your contacts; Be resourceful – תעשה קומבינה Kimbanti alcohol – I got the alcohol ‘somehow’ – קימבנתי אלכוהול Lekamben – To get something using tricks and connections – לקמבן Lehitkamben – To sort yourself out; to sit pretty – להתקמבן “Eich hitkambanta al ha-mechonit ha-zot” – What did you have to do in order to get thi

In Hebrew, צוהריים means noon, and אחר הצוהריים means afternoon. But the actual afternoon hours, the ones we Israelis think of as afternoon, may be completely different than your own. So what do we mean when we say, "call me in the afternoon"? Guy explains. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Tsohorayim – Noon – צוהריים Hu hits-hir – He declared – הוא הצהיר "Be-tsohoray ha-yom" – At noon – בצוהרי היום Aruchat tsohorayim – Lunch – ארוחת צוהריים Lifney ha-tsohorayim – Before noon – לפני הצוהריים Achar/achrei ha-tsohorayim – Afternoon – אחר/אחרי הצוהריים Chamesh achar ha-tsohorayim – Five in the afternoon – חמש אחה"צ Daber iti achar ha-tsohorayim – Talk to me in the afternoon – דבר איתי אחר הצוהריים "Arba Achar Hatsohrayim" – Four in the afternoon, Galey Tsahal Radio show – ארבע אחר הצוהריים Aẓ-ẓuhr ٱلظُّهْر – Noon prayer (Islam) – א-ט'הר   Playlist and Clips: Teapacks – Od Shabbat (lyrics) Berry Sakharof & Rami Fortis – Ein Kets La-yaldoot (lyrics) Yael Levy – Tmuna Zuhr pray

What happens when we add the suffix -oosh to a word? And how do young people call Instagram in Hebrew? Hint: Not insta. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Hi-oosh – Hey there (slang) – היוש Guyoosh, Galitoosh, Eyaloosh – Guy, Galit, Eyal (diminutive) – גיוש, גליתוש, איילוש Havitoosh – חביתוש Havit – Barrel – חבית Bat mitsvoosh – Bat mitzvah (diminutive) – בת מצווש Keshetoosh – Keshet (girl's first name) + oosh – קשתוש Im atem mitgarshim, ani holechet im aboosh – If you guys get divorced, I am going with Daddy – אם אתה מתגרשים אני הולכת עם אבוש Aboosh – Daddy – אבא + וש, אבוש Maxim, maximoosh – Wonderful – מקסים, מקסימוש Madhim, madhimoosh – Amazing – מדהים, מדהימוש Instagram, Instoosh – אינסטוש Forever, foreveroosh; Evita, evitoosh Araboosh – Arab (derogatory term) – ערבוש   Playlist and Clips: Mishpachat Ein Gvul – Hebrew gay lingo Yehudit Ravits – Ha-yalda Hachi Yafa Ba-gan (lyrics)

People say that Israelis can sometimes be rude when speaking. Or are we simply too direct? Contrary to popular belief, we do have ways to be courteous in modern Hebrew. Want to know how? Bevakasha! Check Out the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Bevakasha – Please, here you are – בבקשה Ani rotse cappuccino – I want (I’d like) cappuccino – אני רוצה קפוצ’ינו “Hayiti rotsa cappuccino” – I would like / I would have liked cappuccino – הייתי רוצה קפוצ’ינו “Aval tov, ah?” – “But good, eh?” – ?אבל טוב, אה Be-sheket – Quietly – בשקט Bimhirut – Quickly – במהירות “Vakasha, shalom” – Thank you, goodbye – בבקשה, שלום “Nu vaksha” – Come on, pleaaaaase! – נו, בקשה Sheket bevakasha – Quiet, please – שקט בבקשה Lehikanes (be)vakasha – Come inside please – להיכנס בבקשה Ani mevakesh/mevakeshet – Could I have X – אני מבקש/מבקשת Ani mevakesh lo laamod kan – Please, don’t stand here – אני מבקש לא לעמוד כאן Efshar levakesh mapit? – Could I please have a napkin? – ?אפשר לבקש מפית   Playlist and Clips: Hana La

What Hebrew language teachings can we pick up from the documentary TV series “Mishpachot,” by the Heymann Brothers? The series is composed of five Israeli families who utilize many different layers of the language. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Mishpacha, mishpachot – Family, families – משפחה, משפחות “Ani ha-gever shelach” – I am your man – אני הגבר שלך “Ata ha-gever sheli, aval ata gam ha-yeled sheli” – You are my man, but you’re also my son – אתה הגבר שלי, אבל אתה גם הילד שלי   Playlist and Clips: Mishpachot ep. 6 trailer

Today, I’ll give you a few tips: how to improve your accent and pronunciation in Hebrew. There are many things you can do on your own, at home. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: “Ma ata omer?” – What do you say? – מה אתה אומר “Ata omer li dvarim” – You are telling me things – אתה אומר לי דברים   Playlist and Clips: My Fair Lady My Fair Lady – Hebrew version Kol Israel – Yehudit Ben Yaakov 88FM (Kan) – Kan, Sham uv-khol makom Israeli Radio in foreign languages Daniela Spektor – Ha-kochav Ha-ze Met (lyrics) Songs in StreetwiseHebrew.com

The word סחבק comes from Arabic and means “your friend.” So what’s its meaning when used in Hebrew? And what’s סחבקייה? Oh, and there’s even a verb, להסתחבק. Guy explains. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: “Sahbak qal li” – Your friend told me (Ar.) –  صاحبك قالي – סחבק קאל לי “Ve’az sahbak ro’eh she-hamatsav lo tov” – And then yours truly sees that things are not going well”. – ואז סחבק רואה שהמצב לא טוב Ha-sahbakiyoot ha-israelit – The notion of the lack of protocol, and genuine friendliness in Israel – הסחבקיות הישראלית Fraier – Sucker – פראייר “Sahbak lo fraier” – I am not a fraier – סחבק לא פראייר Hibook sahbaki – A hearty hug – חיבוק סחבקי Sahbakiya – Army slang for lack of distance – סחבקייה “Patachnu po sahbakiya?” – We’re not friends hanging out together – פתחנו פה סחבקייה I am not your sahbak – I am not your mate – אני לא סחבק שלך Lehistahbek – To be chummy with someone – להסתחבק “Nisiti lehistahbek im ha-shoter, aval ze lo halach li” – I tried to be chummy with the

In Hebrew, the default form is the masculine form. But what happens when a navigation application speaks to women as if they were guys? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Maslul – Route – מסלול Ya’ad – Destination – יעד Pni – Turn (Imp., fem.) – פני Pneh – Turn (Imp., m.) – פנה Hayim, hayot – Live (present tense, pl. m, pl. f.) – חיים וחיות Anachnu hayavot ve-hayavim – We must (f.) and must (m.) – אנחנו חייבות וחייבים Anachnu lo yecholot ve-yecholim – We cannot (f.) and cannot (m.) – אנחנו לא יכולות ויכולים Hakesh – Dial (Imp., m.) – הקש Na lehakish – Please dial (Inf.) – נא להקיש   Playlist and Clips: MK Merav Michaeli inauguration speech Rita – Ani chaya li mi-yom le-yom (lyrics)

The word כבר, meaning “already,” has so many functions in modern Hebrew that we decided to dedicate an entire episode to it. Check Out the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Kvar acharey chatzot – It’s already past midnight – כבר אחרי חצות Nu, dai kvar – Come on, enough already – נו, די כבר Achalta kvar – Have you already eaten? – אכלת כבר Ani kvar ba – I will come soon – אני כבר בא Wow, chatzot kvar – Wow, it’s already midnight – וואו, חצות כבר Ne’emar kvar ha-kol – Everything has already been said – נאמר כבר הכל Ha-kol kvar ne’emer – Everything has already been said – הכל כבר נאמר Achaltem kvar / kvar achaltem? – Have you already eaten? – אכלתם כבר / כבר אכלתם “Geshem, red kvar geshem” – Rain, come down already – גשם, רד כבר גשם Dai kvar – Enough already! – די כבר Yalla, Bo kvar! – Come already! – יאללה, בוא כבר Ata ba? Kvar, kvar. – Are you coming? In a sec. – אתה בא? כבר, כבר Kvar ba’im – We’re coming in a sec. – כבר באים Ani kvar hozer elecha – I’ll get back to you shortly – אני כ

Polish mother or Jewish mother? What does Ima Polanyia mean in contemporary Hebrew? Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Ima Polanyia - Polish Mother - אמא פולנייה Polania ze kan - Poland is here - פולניה זה כאן Lo, al takum, be’emet shelo tsarich – No, don’t get up, there’s really no need - לא, אל תקום, באמת שלא צריך Polaniyut - “Polishness” - פולניות Tafsik lihyot polani - Stop being polish - תפסיק להיות פולני   Playlist and Clips: Facebook page of Gveret Dubrovski Facebook page of Polania Ze Kan Dudu Fisher - A Yiddishe Mame (lyrics)

Tihye bari means “be well”. When do we use it, and what are the other ways to sign off a message in Hebrew? Click here for the all-Hebrew version of this episode   New Words and Expressions: Tihye bari (m.)/Tihyi bri’a (f.)/Tihyu bri’im (pl.) - All the best, be well (“Be healthy”) - תהיה בריא Ve-she-tamid tihye bari - May you always be healthy - ושתמיד תהיה בריא Tihye li bari - I oppose to what you’re doing, but good luck nevertheless - תהיה לי בריא Bai - Bye - ביי Yalla bai - Ok, bye now - יאללה ביי Lehitra’ot - See you, goodbye - להתראות Nihye be-kesher - Let’s be in touch - נהיה בקשר Nedaber - We’ll talk - נדבר Az nitra’e - So we’ll see each other - אז נתראה Bai beintayim - Bye for the time being - ביי בינתיים Chao - Ciao - צ’או Neshikot - Kisses - נשיקות Tov (Tooooov) - Good - טוב Az yalla - Good, ok then - אז יאללה   Playlist and Clips: Shalom Hanoch - Ba-Gilgul Haze (lyrics) Lilit Nagar & Robert Hellens - Tihye Bari

How do you say 'dude' in Hebrew? You'll hear 'achi' ('brother') on the street all the time, but in which contexts should you use it? Can women say it? Guy Sharett explains.   Words and expressions discussed: Ahi / ah sheli – My brother, dude – אחי / אח שלי Gever – Man – גבר Bendam – Human being – בנאדם Haver – friend – חבר Ahi, ma kore? – What's happening, dude? – אחי, מה קורה? Ma nishma, benadam? – How are you, man? – מה נשמע, בנאדם? Haverim, ha-shulchan shelachem muchan – Friends, your table is ready – חברים, השולחן שלכם מוכן Haver, ata haser – Friend, you are missed – חבר, אתה חסר Hevré – Guys – חבר'ה Ani im ha-hevré sheli ha-erev – I am with my guys tonight – אני עם החבר'ה שלי הערב Hashvu az ha-hevré – The guys thought – חשבו אז החבר'ה Ahoti – My sister – אחותי "Sister" – Sister – סיסטר Tagid, tagidi – Tell, say (imp.) – תגיד, תגידי   Playlist and Clips: Yitzhak Rabin's funeral Nov. 1995 (TV1) Ha-dag Nachash – Shirat Hasticker (lyrics) Arik Einstein – Dudu (lyrics) Miri Masika – Hey, Achoti (lyrics)