In Hebrew we like to set meetings, rendezvous, appointments. We use likb'oa, the verb to set, for these actions, plus some interesting nouns coming from this family, ק.ב.ע. Exclusive Content for Patrons New words & expressions: Eich kov'im ma yihye godel taktsiv ha-medina? – How do they determine the state budget? – ?איך קובעים מה יהיה גודל תקציב המדינה Likbo'a – To set, to determine – לקבוע Misrad ha-otsar – Finance ministry – משרד האוצר Likbo'a pgisha – To schedule an appointment – לקבוע פ...
Apr 05, 2016•10 min•Ep. 123
We have already spoken about what you say in a restaurant or at a café, but what would a waiter say to you? Host Guy Sharett prepares us with the lines that will grace our ears as we sit down for a meal or a quick Tel Avivi bite. Exclusive Content for Patrons New words & expressions: Bifnim o ba-huts? – Inside or outside? – ?בפנים או בחוץ Lashevet o lakachat – For here or to go? – ?לשבת או לקחת Tafrit – Menu – תפריט Muchanim lehazmin? – Ready to order? – ?מוכנים להזמין Rotsim lehazmin? – Wou...
Mar 29, 2016•9 min•Ep. 122
"Ligmor" means to finish, but also to reach orgasm. So this episode might not be for everybody! Host Guy Sharett explains how to use the root "g.m.r" while playing it safe. Exclusive Content for Patrons New words & expressions: Ligmor – To finish / reach orgasm – לגמור Lesayem, siyamti – To finish, I finished (not sexual) – לסיים, סיימתי Gamarta (m.), gamart (f.) – You finished / reached orgasm – גמרתָ, גמרתְ Gmira (colloquial), orgazma (formal) – Orgasm – גמירה, אורגזמה Gomrim holchim – "On...
Mar 22, 2016•10 min•Ep. 121
"She'ar" - "the rest," is our week's theme. From the same root we have "lehash'ir" - "to leave," "lehisha'er" - "to stay," and other useful verbs, and of course some spaghetti leftovers from yesterday; host Guy Sharett explains how it's all connected. Exclusive Content for Patrons New words & expressions: Ha-she'ar – The rest – השאר She'ar yerakot – And other things – שאר ירקות Bein ha-sh'ar – Among other things – בין השאר Ve-kol sh'ar ha-dvarim – And all the rest – וכל שאר הדברים Ha-sheket ...
Mar 15, 2016•11 min•Ep. 120
Part of learning a new language is knowing when to speak properly and when you’re free to let loose. Today Guy Sharett explains how to downgrade your upmarket Ulpan Hebrew to street level. EXCLUSIVE CONTENT FOR PATRONS New words & expressions: Haiyten – You were (pl., f.) – הייתן Ma aten rotsot – What you (pl., f.) want – מה אתן רוצות Eich oto aten mevalbelot – How you (pl., f.) confuse him – איך אותו אתן מבלבלות Tir’u misken – Look at this poor guy – תראו מסכן Ma asiten lo – What you (pl., ...
Mar 08, 2016•11 min•Ep. 119
The root "nun-pei-lamed" is all about falling - "lipol" means "to fall." It's used in so many different expressions it can be easy to forget where it came from. Host Guy Sharett takes us through the most common usages, taking us from meteors to waterfalls to shooting down planes. Exclusive content New words & expressions: Nafalta hazak – You went down hard – נפלת חזק Kochav nofel – Falling star; shooting star; meteor – כוכב נופל Lipol – To fall – ליפול Ma nafalt alay? – How did you suddenly ...
Mar 01, 2016•10 min•Ep. 118
The root "het-bet-bet," which gives us the word "habibi," is all about affection. Host Guy Sharett explains what it's got to do with gay Tel Avivi speech and Ashdod in the 80's. Exclusive content New words & expressions: Ya habibi – Oh my darling – יא חבּיבּי Habibi - Mate, dude (addressing a man) - חביבי Lird – Good looking guy – לירד Habib/a (Arabic) – Darling – חבּיבּ/ה Haviv/a – Pleasant – חביב/ה Haya haviv – It was nice – היה חביב Acharon acharon haviv – Last but not least – אחרון אחרון...
Feb 23, 2016•9 min•Ep. 117
As soon as you get close to the root קרב ("k.r.b") you realize there's much to learn: From family members to boxing matches to intestines. Host Guy Sharett helps us make sense of it all, including how it relates to the Aussie TV show "Home and Away." Exclusive content New words & expressions: Nachon at krova – It's true, you're close – נכון את קרובה Karov, krova, krovim, krovot – Close – קרוב, קרובה, קרובים, קרובות Krov mishpacha (karov) – Family member; relative – קרוב משפחה Ve'ani shoelet ...
Jan 26, 2016•11 min•Ep. 116
The word "miss" has many meanings in English: You can miss a bus, a lesson, miss someone, miss the point, and much more. Hebrew does not use one verb for all of the above, and some acrobatics is needed. Host Guy Sharett explains. Exclusive content New words & expressions: I miss you – Ani mitga'a'gea eleycha/elayich – אני מתגעגע אלייך Pashut lehitga'ge'a – Just to miss, to long for – פשוט להתגעגע Hitga'gati az bati – I had a longing, so I came by – התגעגעתי אז באתי Hitga'aganu elayich – We m...
Jan 20, 2016•9 min•Ep. 115
You probably know that אוכל כשר means kosher food. But did you know that כשר also means fit, valid, or reliable? And what does the verb להכשיר mean, and how is it all related to talent? Guy explains. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Kasher – Kosher, fit, valid, reliable – כשר Mashehu po lo kasher – Something is a bit dodgy here – משהו פה לא כשר Kashrut – Kosherness – כשרות Teudat kashrut – Kosher(ness) certificate – תעודת כשרות Mashgiach kashrut – Kosher(ness) in...
Jan 12, 2016•8 min•Ep. 114
In Hebrew, רופא (doctor) means “healer.” So how do you bless someone to get well soon? And how is the first name Raphael related to all this? In this episode Guy Sharett explains all things medical. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Refu’ah – Medicine, cure – רפואה Refu’ah alternativit – Alternative medicine – רפואה אלטרנטיבית Refu’ah shlema – (May you reach) full recovery – רפואה שלמה Baruch rofe holim – Blessed is he who cures the sick – ברוך רופא חולים Ein...
Jan 05, 2016•7 min•Ep. 113
The shoresh ר.ש.מ is one of those Hebrew roots with so many different words stemming from it, you could easily get baffled. Whether you want to make an impression, write a list, pick up a prescription, register for an event, or create a flow chart, host Guy Sharett will help you make sense of it all. Exclusive content New words & expressions: Im yesh lachen she'elot, aten muzmanot lirshom li – If you've got questions you're invited (f.) to write to me – אם יש לכן שאלות אתן מוזמנות לרשום לי L...
Dec 22, 2015•11 min•Ep. 112
The word "mischak" can mean so many things in Hebrew - from a game, a match, or a toy, to acting in a movie or a play. Host Guy Sharett explains this root, שֹחק, and teaches us how to thank a good friend who brought coffee to our office desk without even being asked. Exclusive content New words & expressions: Lesachek – To play a game; to play with a toy; to act in a movie or play – לשֹחק Lo lesachek im lev shel gever – Don't play with a guy's heart – לא לשֹחק עם לב של גבר Mesachek be-esh – ...
Dec 15, 2015•11 min•Ep. 111
In Hebrew, עניין (inyan) means matter, business, or thing. Many Hebrew learners confuse מעוניין and מתעניין, often switching between them as if they are one and the same, which they are not. So in this episode, Guy explains these important differences. Oh! and he goes over some useful slang expressions using עניין and ניינים as well! Exclusive content New words & expressions: Inyan – Matter – עניין Ma ha-inyanim (manyanim)? – How are things? – ?מה העניינים Yesh lach po inyan im po'alei binya...
Dec 08, 2015•10 min•Ep. 110
“I don’t know” is one of the most important things you need to know how to say in any language. Guy explains how to say to someone that you don’t have a clue in Hebrew, and even suggests what you should do with your shoulders and bottom lip while saying it. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Ani lo yode’a / yoda’at – I don’t know – אני לא יודע / אני לא יודעת “Lo yode’a, slicha” – Sorry, I don’t know – לא יודע, סליחה Ani mamash lo yode’a/yoda’at – I really don’t kno...
Dec 01, 2015•8 min•Ep. 109
Sometimes we're just "in basa" - in a state of annoyance, not really angry, but just bummed. Host Guy Sharett teaches us verbs derived from "basa," plus more nouns like "hitba'asut," which could be translated as "the process of getting bummed out." Who said Hebrew isn't a rich language? Exclusive content New words & expressions: Basa – A bummer – באסה Eize basa – What a bummer – איזה באסה Eize basa ze she… – What a bummer it is that/when... – ...איזה באסה זה ש Be-basa – "in basa" – בבאסה Kul...
Nov 24, 2015•8 min•Ep. 108
This week we're celebrating half a million downloads of our podcast, so host Guy Sharett has decided to dedicate this episode to "hatsi/hetsi" - "half" in Hebrew. From telling the time, to sports, to fashion, "hetsi" gets everywhere. But when do we say "hetsi" and when "hatsi"? Listen to find out. Exclusive content New words & expressions: Omrim li she-ani hatsi benadam ve-hi hatsi meshuga'at – They tell me that I am half a person and that she's half crazy – אומרים לי שאני חצי בנאדם והיא חצי...
Nov 17, 2015•11 min•Ep. 107
The Middle East is a place where people swear "on the honor of their mom" without thinking too much. Host Guy Sharett teaches us all the uses of the Hebrew word "kavod" - "honor" - right from the Prime Minister's official title to what you jot on the front of an envelope. Exclusive Content New words & expressions: Kavod – respect, honour – כבוד Kol ha-kavod (lecha, lach, lachem) – Bravo; well done (to you) – (כל הכבוד (לך, לך, לכם Kvodo shachach levarech – Your honor, you forgot to bless – כ...
Nov 10, 2015•10 min•Ep. 106
Even advanced learners have difficulties with the פגש-נפגש verb forms, both meaning ‘he met.’ Guy explains the differences between the two, so you know how to meet up with your best friends as well as how to bump into them. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Lo taaminu et mi pagashti – You won’t believe whom I bumped into – לא תאמינו את מי פגשתי Eifo nifgashim – Where do we meet – איפה נפגשים Pagashti oto be-lev ha-midbar – I met him in the middle of the desert – פ...
Nov 03, 2015•10 min•Ep. 105
The word for "support" - "tmicha" - is vastly used in Hebrew, mainly in the context of tech support. The verb is "litmoch." This week, host Guy Sharett has a special message at the end of the show related to this. Curious? Have a listen and click this link: https://www.patreon.com/streetwisehebrew New words & expressions: Hu tamach be-mishehu/mashehu – He supported someone/something – הוא תמך במשהו Hu dei tamach ba-ra'ayon – He kinda supported the idea – הוא די תמך ברעיון Be-otam mikrim – In...
Oct 27, 2015•10 min•Ep. 104
The word "dkira" - "stabbing" - is unfortunately becoming the soundtrack to our lives here in Israel at the moment. StreetWise Hebrew is not shying away from what's going on, so today host Guy Sharett explains the shoresh (root) "DKR." New words & expressions: Pigua – Terror attack – פיגוע Dkira – Stabbing, prick – דקירה Bo nikach dkira ktana – Let's take a little jab – בוא ניקח דקירה קטנה Mashehu mukar et libi dakar – Something familiar stabbed my heart – משהו מוכר את ליבי דקר Lidkor misheh...
Oct 20, 2015•10 min•Ep. 103
We are going through some yamim meshugaim - "crazy days" - in Israel at the moment, so let's talk about how we drive someone crazy in Hebrew (something we cook to perfection!). We promise a special sanity episode once things get back to normal. New words & expressions: Yamim meshugaim – Crazy days – ימים משוגעים Meshuga – Crazy – משוגע Pgu'a nefesh – Mentally ill – פגוע נפש Leshage'a – To drive someone crazy – לשגע Ze ha-erev ha-ze ha-meshge'a – It's this terrific evening – זה הערב הזה המשגע...
Oct 13, 2015•9 min•Ep. 102
How do we sleep in Hebrew? What about snoozes and power naps? Host Guy Sharett talks about our sacred shnatz , and introduces us to some very sleepy words. New words & expressions: Hu yashen – He’s asleep/sleeping – הוא ישן Yashen, ra’ev, ayef, same’ach – Sleeping, hungry, tired, happy – ישן, רעב, עייף, שמח Yeshena, yeshenim, yeshenot – Sleeping (f., sing.), sleeping (m., pl.), sleeping (f., pl.) – ישנה, ישנים, ישנות Lishon – To sleep – לישון Shoel "gam at yashant?" – I am asking "were you (...
Sep 22, 2015•10 min•Ep. 101
This is our 100th podcast episode, and it’s time to say, "toda raba," thanks so much for your support. This is a good opportunity to learn how to thank someone profusely and cynically in Hebrew. New words & expressions: Toda al ha-osher – Thanks for the happiness – תודה על האושר Toda la-el – Thank god – תודה לאל Toda le-X al Y – Thank someone for something – תודה למישהו על משהו Be’emet toda raba – Thank you so much – באמת תודה רבה Toda raba be’emet/ toda raba lecha be’emet – Thanks for nothi...
Sep 15, 2015•11 min•Ep. 100
Hebrew has this interesting structure: Verb “haya” (past tense of “to be”) plus a conjugated verb in the present, like “hayiti holech.” It can mean several different things, and host Guy Sharett teaches us all of them, including some conditional phrases. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: “Hayita bone li kirot, hayita matkin menorot, sheyihye li or” – You would build walls for me, you’d install lamps, so that I’d have light – היית בונה לי קירות, היית מתקין מנורות, ...
Sep 08, 2015•11 min•Ep. 99
It's been exactly a year since we had Gadi (Grego) in the TLV1 studio for a short conversation. He's made aliyah since then. We wanted to check in with Gadi to see how he's doing and to get some Hebrew speaking tips from him. Last year's interview: http://tlv1.fm/streetwise-hebrew/2014/09/02/how-a-peruvian-interpreter-goes-about-learning-hebrew-streetwise-hebrew...
Sep 05, 2015•16 min
An ozer is an "assistant," but could also mean "he’s helping" - a verb in the present tense. How are you supposed to know which one it is? Host Guy Sharett teaches us how to work it out from the context, and he explains what initials religious people jot on every piece of paper they write on. New words & expressions: Azar – He helped – עזר Shalom, efshar laazor – Hello, may I help? – ?שלום, אפשר לעזור Efshar laazor lecha? – May I help you? – ?אפשר לעזור לך La’azor, laavod, laanot – To help, ...
Sep 01, 2015•12 min•Ep. 98
Omed , "stands," and omed le- , "is about to," are two different things. Host Guy Sharett teaches us the important words in this shorseh ("root"), ע.מ.ד, one of which is also a sexual term. At the end of the episode, Guy explains how you can learn Hebrew from reading tombstones at an old Tel Aviv cemetery. New words & expressions: Hu amad – He stood – עמד La’amod – To stand – לעמוד Ha-kol omed ba-makom – Everything stands still – הכל עומד במקום Hu omed – He is standing – הוא עומד Omedet, omd...
Aug 25, 2015•11 min•Ep. 97
How do you say “have a great day” in Hebrew? In English it’s so easy, but in Hebrew you have to take into account a few different things, like the gender of what you’re wishing. Guy Sharett teaches us some useful formulas, and tells us a story about an interesting wedding that didn’t end like it started… Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: She-yihye lach tov – May you be well – שיהיה לך טוב Ani me’achel lecha she-yihye lecha achla yom – I wish that you have a g...
Aug 18, 2015•11 min•Ep. 96
Many things "happen" here in the Holy Land, which is why the root "kara" - ק.ר.ה - with all its derivatives, is so popular. Guy Sharett explains how it's related to murder, earthquakes, and soy milk, and finishes with an anecdote (in Hebrew) about a lady called Carmela. New words & expressions Ma kara la-yeled – What happened to the kid – מה קרה לילד? Ma kara, ma kara? – What on earth is going on? – מה קרה, מה קרה? Ma kore achi – What’s going on dude? – מה קורה אחי? Az ma od kore itach – So ...
Aug 11, 2015•10 min•Ep. 95
