Streetwise Hebrew

#233 Side to Side

In Hebrew, צד is side. And what about its plural צדדים, sides? It's a bit of a mouthful. Today Guy explains the different sides of צד, as well as useful expressions like, “fine by me” and “there are two sides to every story.” Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Tsad, tsdadim - Side, sides - צד, צדדים Le-shnei ha-tsdadim - To both sides - לשני הצדדים “Birds-dadim” > (bir)ds-dadim > tsdadim Hatsida - Towards the side - הצידה Mi-tsad el/le tsad - From o...

#232 Spoil Yourself Rotten

In Hebrew, mefunak is spoiled (as in a spoiled kid) while lefanek is to spoil. On this episode, Guy explains how to spoil someone rotten and how to deal with spoiled brats. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Mefunaki, pinuki - Spoiled person/kid - מפונקי, פינוקי Dai, tafsik leyalel, mefunaki - Stop wailing, mefunaki - די, תפסיק ליילל, מפונקי Ani medaberet al otam elu she-hem mefunakim - I speak about those who are spoiled - אני מדברת על אותם עלו שהם מפונק...

#231 Ewww, That's Gross

The word mag’il in Hebrew means disgusting. And even though we're keeping it clean on the podcast, the topic of disgust might not be for everyone. That said, knowing how to say eeew gross in Hebrew is critical! We think you'll be fine as long as you're not eating lunch. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Achil - Edible - אכיל Mag’il - Disgusting - מגעיל Ze mag’il oti - It disgusts me - זה מגעיל אותי Go’al nefesh - Disgusting - גועל נפש “Roletat go’al nefe...

#230 Oh, You Poor Thing!

What do we say to a friend who's in bed with high fever? And to someone who got a minor scratch? And to that one person who keeps on complaining but has no right to complain? Oy misken ! Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Misken Juanito - Poor Juanito - מסכן חואניטו Misken Jerry, shamat ma kara lo? - Poor Jerry, did you hear what happened to him? - מסכן ג’רי, שמעת מה קרה לו? Oy misken/miskena/miskenim/miskenot - You poor thing - אוי מסכן, מסכנה, מסכנים, מ...

#229 Don't Get ”Fed Up” With Learning Hebrew

In Hebrew, “Nim’as li kvar” means I just can’t take it anymore, I am so fed up. The root, mem-alef-samech, is an interesting one and can be used in all sorts of ways, like in the translated sentence, “Are you fed up with ’butterflies’?” What does that even mean?! Guy explains. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Nim’as li - I am fed up with something - נמאס לי Nimas le-someone from something Dai, nim’as li mi-shkarim - I am fed up with lies - די, נמאס לי מ...

#228 Overstressed and Under Pressure

We talk a lot about lahats (stress, pressure) in Israel. You'll often hear, “ma ata lahuts?”, why are you stressed, and “ein lahats”, there’s no pressure, just as your stress level is hitting its all-time high. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Lahats - Pressure, stress - לחץ Ani ma-ze be-lahats ha-shavu’a – I am really stressed this week - אני מה-זה בלחץ השבוע Al tilahtsu - Don’t get stressed - אל תילחצו Ein lahats - There’s no pressure - אין לחץ Lahats...

#227 Going Back and Forth

How do you say rehearsal in Hebrew? And what do the Hebrew words for tax-refund and rabbi-preacher have in common? A root, of course! Guy returns for another Streetwise Hebrew lesson. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Rehearsal - Hazara - חזרה Choir rehearsal - Hazarat mak’hela - חזרת מקהלה Hazara generalit - Dress rehearsal - חזרה גנרלית Hazara la-limudim - Back to school - חזרה ללימודים Lahzor - To go back, to return - לחזור Ha-hazara le’anshehu - The ...

Shana Tova

#226 Gas Station Conversation

Full service or self service? Diesel or regular? When pulling up to the pump, what Hebrew words and phrases do you need in order to successfully navigate an Israeli gas station? On this episode, Guy tops off the linguistic tank. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Tahanat delek - Gas station - תחנת דלק Otsrim letadlek - Stopping to refuel - עוצרים לתדלק Letadlek - To refuel the car - לתדלק Hayav/hayevet rega la’atsor letadlek - I must stop for a sec to ref...

#225 Hamsa Hamsa Hamsa: Streetwise Hebrew Celebrates 5 Years of Podcasting

The Hamsa symbol, a hand with five fingers, is believed to bring good luck and keep away the evil eye. In Arabic, hamsa is the number five, which just happens to be the number of years we've been making our Streetwise Hebrew podcast! We celebrate this grand occasion with a special episode on all things hamesh (חמש). Pssstttt... have a listen to how you too can keep away the evil eye! Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Yomuledet hamesh - 5th birthday - יומ...

#224 This Podcast Will Fly Off the Shelves

What do we mean when we say hu af al atsmo (הוא עף על עצמו), he flies on himself? How about oof li me-ha-einayim (עוף לי מהעיניים), fly off my eyes? On this episode, Guy explains all things la’oof , to fly. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Ani af elayich - I am flying to you - אני עף אלייך Oof, oof beteruf - Fly, fly, insanely - עוף, עוף בטירוף Oof, oofi, oofoo - Fly! (Imp., m., f., pl.) - עוף, עופי, עופו Ten la-neshama la-oof - Let the soul fly - תן לנ...

#223 The Many Uses of Eich (איך)

Eich (איך), Hebrew for “how”, is a tiny word used very often in spoken Hebrew and in many different contexts. On this episode, Guy explains these uses through several examples from everyday life in Israel. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Eich - How - איך Eich shir nolad - How is a song born? - איך שיר נולד Eich haya? - How was it? - איך היה? Eich sham? - How is it there? - איך שם? Eich? - How are you? (sl.) - איך? Tagid eich ata / Tagidi, eich at - How...

#222 Busy Beyond Belief

You're busy. I'm busy. We're all extremely busy these days. The Hebrew word for busy is עסוק. What would you say to your friend if you might not be able to make it to their party? Guy sets aside time from his busy schedule to explain. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Ein li zman linshom - I don’t have time to breathe - אין לי זמן לנשום Asuk, asuka, asukim, asukot - Busy - עסוק, עסוקה, עסוקים, עסוקות Ani ma-ze/mamash asuk - I am really busy - אני מה-זה/מ...

#221 Stuck in the Middle with You

Why do Israelis say, “hu taka li berez” (הוא תקע לי ברז), which roughly translates to, “he jammed a faucet on me”? And how do we say in Hebrew, “I'm stuck in the middle seat again”? On this episode, Guy explains the word litko’a (לתקוע), to stick into, and delves into the nooks and crannies of hardcore Israeli slang. Language warning: things are about to get explicit. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Hu taka masmer ba-kir - He stuck a nail in the wall -...

#220 Happy Happy Joy Joy

Simha (שמחה) in Hebrew is happiness or joy, but it can also mean a happy event. How would you say “to make someone happy” in Hebrew? Guy explains all things שמח on this extra joyful episode. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Simha - Happiness - שמחה Eize yom sameach li hayom - What a happy day I am having today - איזה יום שמח לי היום Esther Roth-Shachamorov Ani smeha she-ha-heseg ha-ze naasa mul einay - I am happy that this achievement was made before my...

#219 Calling All Musicians!

In addition to calling and texting, your smartphone is also a fancy nagan-em-pi-shalosh (נגן אם-פי-3). What's that? Well, without this capability you wouldn't be able to listen to this podcast on the move! Today's episode is all about the root נ.ג.נ, out of which Hebrew words like ניגון, מנגינה, and נגינה are constructed. Listen to the all-Hebrew version of this episode . New Words and Expressions: Niggun, niggunim - Inflection (linguistics), Nigun - ניגון Paytan - A person who writes/sings a pi...

#218 Could You Turn it Down a Bit?

There are several ways to ask an Israeli taxi driver to lower the volume on the radio that won't result in nasty looks. Today, Guy discusses these sayings and other words related to radio, like the Hebrew word for podcast. Listen to the all-Hebrew version of this episode New Words and Expressions: Havita - Omlette - חביתה Aruhat boker israelit - Israeli breakfast - ארוחת בוקר ישראלית Pirsomot - Commercials - פרסומות Efshar lehahlish tipa? - Is it possible to turn it down a bit? - אפשר להחליש טיפ...

#217 Sharing Is Caring

The Hebrew word for partner or flatmate is שותף, and its root ש.ת.פ is especially relevant when trying to get your social media posts to go viral. On this episode, Guy shares his linguistic expertise on all things shareable. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Shutaf, shutafim - Partner/s, flatmate - שותף, שותפים Shutafut - Partnership - שותפוּת Leshatef - To share - לשתף Eich leshatef tmunot me-ha-instagram - How to share photos from Instagram - איך ...

#216 Some Assembly Required

Most furniture from Ikea comes with assembly instructions. On this episode, Guy provides us with an instructions manual for the root רכב, which can be found in the word להרכיב, to assemble. No assembly required on this podcast! Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Rachav - He rode - רכב Rochev - He’s riding - רוכב Hem rochvim - They ride - הם רוכבים Rochev - He rides/he is riding/rider - רוכב Rechiva - Riding - רכיבה Hadracha - Instruction - הדרכה Hadr...

#215 It's Complicated

Many things in life are complicated, including some people's relationship status on Facebook. How do we say “it’s complicated” in Hebrew? And what saying do we use as something gets more and more complicated? Bonus: we've included a short clip from the Hebrew version of this episode. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Mesubach - Complicated - מסובך ‘It’s complicated’ - Ze mesubach - זה מסובך Mesubechet (f.) - Complicated - מסובכת Ata mesubach im atsm...

#214 I Want to Improve My Hebrew

How do we say “I want to improve my Hebrew” in Hebrew? How about “improvements”? And what's the connection to the popular supermarket chain Shufersal? Guy explains. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Leshaper mashehu - To improve something - לשפר משהו Ani rotse leshaper et ha-ivrit sheli - I want to improve my Hebrew - אני רוצה לשפר את העברית שלי Nehagim matkinim shipurim - Drivers install improvements - נהגים מתקינים שיפורים Tse’irim she-meshaprim e...

#213 A Eurovision Victory

Israel has just won the Eurovision Song Contest thanks to Netta Barzilai and her incredible song Toy. Guy walks you through parts of the song's Hebrew lyrics and reviews some of Israel's past Eurovision winners. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Ero-viz-yon - Eurovision - אירוויזיון Taharut zemer, taharut shirim - Song contest - תחרות זמר Nitsachon - Victory - ניצחון Ani lo buba - I am not a doll - אני לא בובה Biryonut - Bullying - בריונות Ani lo ha...

#212 Breaking It Down

What's the Hebrew language connection between the following: a book chapter, devouring an entire pizza, and the Soviet Union's breakup? Guy explains it all on today's episode. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Perek, prakim - Episode, chapter - פרק Liftoah perek hadash - To start a new chapter - לפתוח פרק חדש Ba-prakim ha-baim - On the next episodes - בפרקים הבאים At Poreket kartonim - You are unloading cardboards - את פורקת קרטונים Lifrok - To unlo...

#211 Quiet Please!

Imagine this… you’re riding on a bus in Tel Aviv. Next to you is someone talking on their cellphone much too loud. How should you ask them to “keep it down”? Today we’ll talk about those who talk too much and discuss the possible ways to ask them to stop, politely and impolitely. Click here for the all-Hebrew version of this episode New Words and Expressions: Shotkim – We are silent – שותקים Shatak – He was quiet – שתק Lishtok – To be quiet – לשתוק Shtok/shteki/shteku shniya – Shut up for a sec....

#210 Snatch Those Snacks!

This episode is about the root .ח.ט.פ, which is used in the Hebrew words חטף (snatch), החטיף (beat up), and חטיף (snack). Why is this root used in the word for snacks? Because they're something you can grab and eat on the go. Now grab a seat and enjoy another deliciously appetising episode of Streetwise Hebrew. Listen to the all-Hebrew version here: www.patreon.com/streetwisehebrew New Words and Expressions: Hataf – He grabbed, snatched – הוא חטף Lahtof – To grab, snatch – לחטוף Hatafti pizza – ...

#209 Check Your Connection

The root חב"ר is rich. It's used in the Hebrew words for “composing”, “connecting”, “joining”, “adding”, and many more. In this episode, Guy explains this root and teaches us how to say the ever-important phrase, “I can't connect to the internet.” We also learn the difference between מחברת and חוברת . Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Targilei hibur - Addition exercises - תרגילי חיבור Lehaber - To add, connect, join - לחבר Shtayim ve’od shtayim shave arbe - Two pl...

#208 What a Pass!

Meser is defined as message or theme, as in the meser of a story, or the main idea behind the text. But it also relates to text messages and to tradition. Guy explains this and more on today's episode. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Ha-hazai moser et ha-tahazit - The weatherman delivers the forecast - החזאי מוסר את התחזית Limsor mismachim - To give documents - למסור מסמכים Tsarich limsor et ha-bakasha - One needs to physically hand over the application. - צריך ...

#207 You Turn Me On!

The words daluk , nidlak , and lehadlik are all related to turning on electric devices. However, they could also mean ‘turn on’ in the sensual sense. To complicate things further, the word letadlek , from the same root, is to ‘refuel’ as well as slang for ‘to drink alcohol.’ Perhaps this week’s show is not the most kid-friendly of episodes. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Al ha-mahane nidlak yare’ah - Over the camp the moon is lit - על המחנה נדלק ירח Nidlakim ha...

#206 What Do You Think?

"Lahshov" means to think, a crucial word and root. From "One could think" to "without thinking twice" and "think about it", this episode teaches all the thought-related expressions you can, well, think of. Pro tip: "Let me think about it" is a perfect phrase to use with pushy marketing people. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New words and expressions: Lahshov – To think – לחשוב Lakachat pesek zman ve-lo lahshov – To take some time off and not to think – לקחת פסק זמן ולא לחשוב Ve-hu hoshev...

#205 Do You Even Care?

"Lo ichpat li" -- I don’t care -- is a very useful expression. It is used for all things caring, like: "Do you even care?" and "You don’t care about me?" It is especially useful with drama queens of all sorts. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New words and expressions: Ichpat - care - אכפת Li ze lo ichpat - I don’t care - לי זה לא אכפת Lo ichpat li ma omrim alai - I don’t care what they say about me - לא אכפת לי מה אומרים עליי Lo ichpat li ma hoshvim alai - I don’t care what they think abo...