Hebrew Phrases
Basic Hebrew phrases to assist you with your Aliyah journey and day-to-day life in Israel, covering various scenarios you might encounter:
Greetings and Polite Phrases
Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) – Hello / Peace. Commonly used for both greeting and parting.
Boker Tov (בּוֹקֶר טוֹב) – Good morning. Typically used until midday.
Tzohorayim Tovim (צָהֳרַיִים טוֹבִים) – Good afternoon.
Erev Tov (עֶרֶב טוֹב) – Good evening. Usually used after sunset.
Laila Tov (לַיְלָה טוֹב) – Good night. Used when parting in the evening or going to bed.
Toda Raba (תּוֹדָה רַבָּה) – Thank you very much. A more emphatic version of 'toda.'
Bevakasha (בְּבַקָּשָׁה) – Please / You're welcome. Used both when asking for something and when responding to thanks.
Slicha (סְלִיחָה) – Excuse me / Sorry. Used when interrupting or apologizing.
Introductions and Personal Information
Ma shimcha? (מָה שִׁמְךָ?) – What is your name? (to a male)
Ma shmech? (מָה שְׁמֵךְ?) – What is your name? (to a female)
Shmi… (שְׁמִי...) – My name is... (e.g., Shmi Sarah – My name is Sarah)
Naim Meod (נָעִים מְאוֹד) – Nice to meet you.
Me'ayin atah? (מֵאַיִן אַתָּה?) – Where are you from? (to a male)
Me'ayin at? (מֵאַיִן אַתְּ?) – Where are you from? (to a female)
Ani me... (אֲנִי מִ...) – I am from... (e.g., Ani me Canada – I am from Canada)
Kama shanim atah? (כַּמָּה שָׁנִים אַתָּה?) – How old are you? (to a male)
Kama shanim at? (כַּמָּה שָׁנִים אַתְּ?) – How old are you? (to a female)
Basic Communication
Atah medaber Anglit? (אַתָּה מְדַבֵּר אַנְגְלִית?) – Do you speak English? (to a male)
At medaberet Anglit? (אַתְּ מְדַבֶּרֶת אַנְגְלִית?) – Do you speak English? (to a female)
Ani lo mevin (אֲנִי לֹא מֵבִין) – I don't understand (said by a male)
Ani lo mevina (אֲנִי לֹא מְבִינָה) – I don't understand (said by a female)
Atah medaber Ivrit? (אַתָּה מְדַבֵּר עִבְרִית?) – Do you speak Hebrew? (to a male)
At medaberet Ivrit? (אַתְּ מְדַבֶּרֶת עִבְרִית?) – Do you speak Hebrew? (to a female)
Asking for Help
Efshar la'azor li? (אֶפְשָׁר לַעֲזוֹר לִי?) – Can you help me?
Eich magi'im le...? (אֵיךְ מַגִּיעִים לְ...?) – How do I get to...?
Ani avud/avuda (אֲנִי אָבוּד / אָבוּדָה) – I am lost. (masculine/feminine)
Slicha, ani mechapes/mechapesset et... (סְלִיחָה, אֲנִי מְחַפֵּשׂ / מְחַפֶּשֶׂת אֶת...) – Excuse me, I am looking for... (masculine/feminine)
Shopping, Payments, and Prices
Kama ze oleh? (כַּמָּה זֶה עוֹלֶה?) – How much does it cost?
Efshar l'shalem b'kartis ashrai? (אֶפְשָׁר לְשַׁלֵּם בְּכַרְטִיס אַשְׁרַאי?) – Can I pay by credit card?
Ani rotze/rotzah... (אֲנִי רוֹצֶה / רוֹצָה...) – I want... (masculine/feminine)
Ze neshar b'mivtsa? (זֶה נִשְׁאָר בְּמִבְצָע?) – Is this on sale?
Efshar lekabel hachnasa? (אֶפְשָׁר לְקַבֵּל הַחְנָסָה?) – Can I get a receipt?
Zeh yoter miday yakar! (זֶה יוֹתֵר מִדַּי יָקָר!) – This is too expensive!
Directions and Transportation
Eifo ha-misrad ha-pnim? (אֵיפֹה הַמִּשְׂרָד הַפְּנִים?) – Where is the Ministry of Interior?
Le'an atah holech? (לְאָן אַתָּה הוֹלֵךְ?) – Where are you going? (to a male)
Le'an at holechet? (לְאָן אַתְּ הוֹלֶכֶת?) – Where are you going? (to a female)
Eifo tachanat ha-autobus? (אֵיפֹה תַּחֲנַת הָאוֹטוֹבּוּס?) – Where is the bus stop?
Kama zman nish'ar ad ha-autobus? (כַּמָּה זְמַן נִשְׁאָר עַד הָאוֹטוֹבּוּס?) – How much time until the bus arrives?
Ani tzarich/tzricha lalechet... (אֲנִי צָרִיךְ / צְרִיכָה לָלֶכֶת...) – I need to go to... (masculine/feminine)
Shama (שָׁם) – Over there.
Health and Emergency
Ani lo margish/margisha tov (אֲנִי לֹא מַרְגִּישׁ / מַרְגִּישָׁה טוֹב) – I am not feeling well (masculine/feminine).
Efshar lirot rofeh? (אֶפְשָׁר לִרְאוֹת רוֹפֵא?) – Can I see a doctor?
Eifo beit cholim? (אֵיפֹה בֵּית חוֹלִים?) – Where is the hospital?
Tizdakek ezra (תִּצְדָּקֵק עֶזְרָה) – You need help.
Tizk’u lemazal! (תִּזְכּוּ לְמַזָּל!) – May you have luck (often said as good wishes).
Restaurant and Food
Efshar lirot et ha-tafrit? (אֶפְשָׁר לִרְאוֹת אֶת הַתַּפְרִיט?) – Can I see the menu?
Ani tzame/tzme'ah (אֲנִי צָמֵא / צְמֵאָה) – I am thirsty (masculine/feminine).
Ani ra'ev/ra'eva (אֲנִי רָעֵב / רְעֵבָה) – I am hungry (masculine/feminine).
Mashehu taim (מַשֶּׁהוּ טָעִים) – Something delicious.
Ani makpid/ah l'kasher (אֲנִי מַקְפִּיד/ה לְכָּשֵׁר) – I am strict about kosher (masculine/feminine).
Practical Aliyah-Related Phrases
Ani oleh/olah chadash/chadasha (אֲנִי עוֹלֶה חָדָשׁ / עוֹלָה חֲדָשָׁה) – I am a new immigrant (masculine/feminine).
Ani tzarich l'iftach cheshbon bank (אֲנִי צָרִיךְ לִפְתֹּחַ חֶשְׁבּוֹן בַּנְק) – I need to open a bank account.
Efshar liknot dirah? (אֶפְשָׁר לִקְנוֹת דִּירָה?) – Can I buy a house/apartment?
Eifo ani yachol/yachola lirkosh kartis rav kav? (אֵיפֹה אֲנִי יָכוֹל / יְכוֹלָה לִרְכּוֹשׁ כַּרְטִיס רַב קַב?) – Where can I buy a Rav Kav card (for public transport)?
Kama zman nikach l'hagiyah...? (כַּמָּה זְמַן נִקַּח לְהַגִּיעַ...?) – How long will it take to get to...?
Banking and Finances
Efshar liftoach cheshbon bank? (אֶפְשָׁר לִפְתֹּחַ חֶשְׁבּוֹן בַּנְק?) – Can I open a bank account?
Kama amalot? (כַּמָּה עֲמָלוֹת?) – What are the fees?
Ani tzarich cheshbon bituach leumi (אֲנִי צָרִיךְ חֶשְׁבּוֹן בִּטּוּחַ לְאוּמִּי) – I need to set up my national insurance account.
These more detailed phrases will help you navigate key areas of life in Israel, from daily interactions to handling bureaucracy, transportation, shopping, health, and financial services. Practicing them will boost your confidence and ease your integration as you make Aliyah.