The Hebrew word כאילו is one of the words you’ll hear most on the streets of Tel Aviv. It means ‘as if,’ but lots of Israelis use it in the same way we use ‘kinda,’ or ‘like’ in English. So just ke’ilu stick it ke’ilu anywhere ke’ilu in the sentence! Guy Sharett tells us more… Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Ke’ilu – As if – כאילו “Lif’amim niraa ke’ilu kol ma she’ani ose ze lashevet bevatei kafe” – Sometimes it seems as if everything I am doing is to sit in caf...
Dec 09, 2014•7 min•Ep. 64
Eavesdrop on any phonecall on a bus or sherut in Israel, count to ten, and you’ll probably hear be’emet ? (‘really?’) ‘Truth,’ emet , and its derivatives are found in all shapes and sizes in Hebrew. Host Guy Sharett teaches us some words and expressions with the alef-mem-tav root… we mean it! Be’emet ! Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: “Rak sheteda et haemet” – Just that you know the truth – רק שתדע את האמת Ta’emet/Ha-emet – I’ll give you the truth, to be honest –...
Dec 02, 2014•6 min•Ep. 63
The Hebrew word דווקא does not have a direct English translation. Sometimes it means “actually” (as opposed to what you might think). At other times it means “particularly.” So what does the saying לעשות דווקא (to do a דווקא) mean? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Davka – Actually, as opposed to what you may think – דווקא “ze lo kashe bichlal, ze davka kal” – It’s not hard at all, it’s actually easy – זה לא קשה בכלל, זה דווקא קל “Eich ze kara li, lama davka itcha...
Nov 25, 2014•6 min•Ep. 62
We love using ראשי תיבות - acronyms - in modern Hebrew. We take the initials and between the last two letters we add inverted commas (two apostrophes) to show that it's an acronym rather than an ordinary word. Guy explains that the transformation from word to acronym is so extreme that some words even end up changing their gender! Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Rashey teivot – Acronyms – ראשי תיבות Drishat shalom chama – Warm regards – דרישת שלום חמה Timsor dri...
Nov 18, 2014•8 min•Ep. 61
The Hebrew word חיים, life, is so widely used that we just had to give it its own episode. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Chayim (pl.) – Life – חיים Ha-chayim shelcha nifl’aim – You’re life is beautiful – החיים שלך נפלאים “Tni li lageshet el chayaich” – Let me approach your life – תני לי לגשת אל חייך Be-chaye-cha – Come on, please – בחייך Be-chayecha ta’avir arutz / Bechaya’ich, ta’aviri arutz – In the name of god please change the channel – בחייך, תעביר/תעבירי...
Nov 11, 2014•8 min•Ep. 60
The Hebrew word מת means dying and the word למות means to die. Today, Guy teaches us to use these words to mean 'cool' and 'happy.' As usual, prepositions must rear their ugly head. But don’t worry, we’re stronger! Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Lamoot – To die – למות “Ata chayav lamoot alai” – You must go crazy about me – אתה חייב למות עליי “Ani meta aleyhem” – I am crazy about them – אני מתה עליהם Ani meta al shokolad – I am crazy about chocolate – אני מתה על...
Nov 04, 2014•7 min•Ep. 59
Le, לְ, is how we say ‘to’ or ‘for’ in Hebrew. Guy teaches some cool expressions, and shows how we say stuff like ‘for you’ and ‘to her.’ Plus a bonus tip: How to do the most Israeli ‘ch’ sound! Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: לי, לךָ, לךְ, לו, לה, לנו, לכם, לכן, להם, להן Lachem – To you (pl.) – לכם Lahem – To them – להם “Yesh li cheder mi-sheli” – I have a room of my own – יש לי חדר משלי Yesh li kelev – I have a dog – יש לי כלב Ein li kelev – I don’t have a dog...
Oct 28, 2014•7 min•Ep. 58
The word סתם can mean many things in Hebrew: ‘for no particular reason,’ ‘just kidding,’ and it also has many more linguistic uses. Today we’ll learn the most common uses of סתם by ‘enlightened’ Israelis, and hear an advert where Rivka from Jerusalem calls China to ask how long she should boil her rice. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Stam – Just like that, for no particular reason – סתם “Stam, hiyuch le-lo siba” – Just like that, a smile for no obvious reason –...
Oct 21, 2014•7 min•Ep. 57
Listen to anyone speak on their phone on an Israeli bus and chances are you’ll hear them utter the word נכון (‘right’) every few seconds. Today, Guy teaches us how to use נכון in different circumstances and explains why we should never trust a shin (ש) when we see one. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Nachon – Right, correct, true – נכון “Nachon at yafa” – It’s true, you’re pretty – נכון את יפה “Nachon she-at kan” – It’s true that you’re here – נכון שאת כאן “Mits...
Oct 14, 2014•7 min•Ep. 56
What other ways are there to say ‘goodbye’ in Hebrew, apart from the ubiquitous, yalla bye ? If you want to sound like an Israeli you can’t just say the right words, you also have to sing them in the right tune. Guy explains. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Lehitraot – See you, until we see each other – להתראות Shalom ve-lo lehitraot – Adieu and not goodbye – שלום ולא להתראות “Al tagid li bye” – Don’t tell me goodbye – אל תגיד לי ביי Az nedaber – We’ll talk – אז...
Oct 07, 2014•6 min•Ep. 55
Israelis love to indulge in the circular "how-are-you-how's-it-going-what’s-new" conversation chain, so it’s part of the verbal dance you need to know. Today Guy teaches us 11 ways, no less, of asking someone how they're doing. Let’s get on the dance floor! Words and expressions discussed: Ma hainyanim? (maina-nim) – ?מַה הָעִנְיָינִים Inyan – עִנְיָין Beseder – בְּסֶדֶר Az ma kore? – ?אָז מַה קוֹרֶה Ha-kol tov? – ?הַכֹּל טוֹב Ken achi – כֵּן אָחִי Az ma nishma? – ?אָז מַה נִשְׁמָע Az ma? – ?אָז...
Sep 30, 2014•8 min•Ep. 54
What’s happened to Hebrew-speaking romantics in these days of Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter? How do they convey their feelings in 140 characters? Guy Sharett analyzes a unique song called ‘Smiley,’ whose lyrics are a collection of one-liners, sometimes just one word long, taken from real online chats between Israeli couples. And, most importantly, which Hebrew word is used by Israelis to text their ex-partners at 3am? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Er/Era – Ar...
Sep 23, 2014•8 min•Ep. 53
On this episode, we explore the root of the word ערב, which means evening, and explain what it’s got to do with Western movies. Plus, why wasn’t Miley Cyrus willing to say the name of a famous Israeli TV show host? Guy explains. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: “Erev tov lach, at mushlemet” – Good evening to you, you’re perfect – ערב טוב לך, את מושלמת Erev tov lecha/lach/lachem – Good evening to you – ערב טוב לך/לכם Erev tov – Good evening – ערב טוב Laila tov – G...
Sep 16, 2014•6 min•Ep. 52
Yaffe means ‘beautiful,’ but the noun yofi – ‘beauty’ – is used in Modern Hebrew to mean ‘Great!’ You’ve probably heard your Hebrew teacher saying it when you get an answer right in class. How do you say ‘beauty queen,’ for instance? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: “Ha-ra’ita eize yofi?” – Did you see this beauty? – הרָאית איזה יופי Yofi – Beauty – יופי Yafé, yafa – Beautiful – יפה Eize yofi – How nice – איזה יופי Yofi gavri – Male beauty – יופי גברי Yofi nashi ...
Sep 09, 2014•11 min•Ep. 51
This week Guy does something a little bit different. He's joined in the studio by Grego Villalobos, an interpreter for the European Institutions in Brussels, originally from Peru. He also happens to be learning Hebrew, so he's an avid Streetwise Hebrew listener. This was a great opportunity for Guy to engage with a listener; to find out how Grego uses the podcast, what he finds most difficult about Hebrew, and to allow Grego to ask him questions. Grego also gives us a demonstration of simultaneo...
Sep 02, 2014•10 min•Ep. 50
The word זַיִן, which is also how we say the 7th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, is defined as the male reproductive organ. It is a word we hear a lot in Hebrew because it is in many slang terms – many of which are not necessarily related to sex. Today we learn a few of these sayings and find out the connection between the term ‘friends with benefits’ and Austrian composer Franz Schubert. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Zayin – Penis – זין Koos –Vagina – כוס...
Aug 05, 2014•5 min•Ep. 49
Everyone’s talking about הפסקת אש, ceasefire. Let’s get to know the word הפסקה (break) and other words in its family which come from the root פסק. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions : Hafsakat-esh – Ceasefire – הפסקת אש Hafsaka – Break, stop, halting – הפסקה “Maga’im intensiviyim lehafsakat esh, ach ha-esh lo poseket” – There are intensive talks for a ceasefire, but the fire won’t stop – מגעים אינטנסיביים להפסקת אש, אך האש לא פוסקת Hafsakat esh humanitarit – Humanit...
Jul 28, 2014•6 min•Ep. 48
Shalom means ‘peace,’ ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ – it’s one of the most popular words in Hebrew, and the first one everybody learns. But there are other words, all derived from the root sh.l.m , that are very active in our language. Let’s meet the family! Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Shalom – Peace, hello, goodbye – שלום Shalom rav lachem ve-erev tov – Hello and good evening to you – שלום רב וערב טוב Shalem – Whole – שלם Ma shlom Tomer? – How is Tomer? – מה שלום ת...
Jul 22, 2014•6 min•Ep. 47
Mamad is a protected room we Israelis got intimately familiar with during the operation in Gaza. What does it stand for? What do they call it in the safety instructions in Amharic and Russian? And last but not least, let’s analyze the Hamas Hebrew propaganda song. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of the Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Az’aka – Alarm, siren – אזעקה “Yesh azaka kan be tel aviv” – There’s a siren here in Tel Aviv – יש אזעקה כאן בתל אביב Liz’ok – To shout – לזעוק “Ata ...
Jul 15, 2014•7 min•Ep. 46
“Let’s stay in touch,” “Something has to change,” “It’s not you, it’s me” – all languages have these disingenuous, non-committal and empty phrases. So how do we say them in Hebrew? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Ata achshav kvar lo muchan lehitchayev – You’re no longer ready to commit – אתה עכשיו כבר לא מוכן להתחייב Mechuyavoot – Commitment – מחוייבות Chayav – Must – חייב Mashehu chayav lehishtanot – Something got to change – משהו חייב להשתנות Ani chayav lalech...
Jul 08, 2014•6 min•Ep. 45
All languages love the word ‘to go’ and Hebrew is no different. If you type the verb’s root הלכ into Google you get two million results! And we’ll take you through them all… Just kidding! How do we use this verb holech? Let’s learn some of the most current expressions. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Holech, holechet – Going – הולך, הולכת Lalechet – To go – ללכת Ani holech ledaber ito – I am going to talk to him – אני הולך לדבר איתו Ani holecht – I am going...
Jul 01, 2014•5 min•Ep. 44
Lizrok means ‘to throw’ in Hebrew, but how is it used in relationship lingo? Oh, and who is the most famous ‘Varda’ in Israel? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: “Ve-chamesh shanim itach zarakti la-pach” – And five years with you, I threw in the garbage – וחמש שנים איתך זרקתי לפח “Ulai tafsik lizrok aleyha kesef?” – Maybe you’ll stop throwing money on her? – אולי תפסיק לזרוק עליה כסף Lizrok la-zevel – To throw something in the garbage – לזרוק לזבל Lizrok mishehu la...
Jun 24, 2014•6 min•Ep. 43
One of the most used words in Israeli slang is actually from Arabic. Yalla is used to encourage someone to do something, but with the right intonation you can deliver an array of different notions. Yalla , press ‘play!’ Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon Words and expressions discussed: Yalla – יָאללָה Ya Allah – יָא אַללָה Yalla zazim – יָאללָה זָזִים Yalla lech ha-bayita Motti – יָאללָה לֵךְ הבַּיתָה מוֹטִי Az yalla – אָז יָאללָה Yalla beitar – יָאללָה בֵּיתָ"ר Yalla-yalla – יָאללָה-י...
Jun 17, 2014•5 min•Ep. 42
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 At...
May 20, 2014•7 min•Ep. 41
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 גְּדוֹלוֹ...
May 13, 2014•6 min•Ep. 40
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 ...
May 05, 2014•7 min•Ep. 39
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, ro...
Apr 28, 2014•8 min•Ep. 38
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 cappuc...
Apr 22, 2014•7 min•Ep. 37
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 wit...
Apr 14, 2014•7 min•Ep. 36
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 – W...
Apr 08, 2014•8 min•Ep. 35
