Streetwise Hebrew

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 – סתם, חיוך ללא סיבה “Stam ki ba li ledaber” – Just cause I feel like talking – סתם כי בא לי לדבר “Ani kan, ata sham, stam shney anashim” – I am here, you’re there, just two strangers – אני כאן, אתה שם, סתם שני אנשים “Chodesh me-hayom nihye kmo chadashim” – A month from today we’ll be as good as new – חודש מהיום נהיה כמו חדשים  “Ani kan, ata sham, stam shney anashim” – I am here, you’re there, just two strangers – אני כאן, אתה שם, סתם שני אנשים “Stam, ratsiti lomar lach shoov” – For no reason, I wanted to tell you aga

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 “Mitstaer al ha-milim halo nechonot” – I am sorry for the wrong words – מצטער על המילים הלא נכונות Ha-milim ha-nechonot – The right words – המילים הנכונות Ken nachon, lo nachon – It is, it isn’t so – כן נכון, לא נכון Ken nachon – It IS right – כן נכון Ken halachti – I did go – כן הלכתי Gam ani rotsa Lichyot nachon – I also want to live right – גם אני רוצה לחיות נכון Im hevanti nachon – If I got it right – אם הבנתי נכון Shelo tavinu oti lo nachon – Don’t get me wrong – שלא תבינו אותי לא נכון Achshav ze margish nachon – Now

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 נדבר Nishtame’a/Lehitshtame’ah – We’ll hear each other (goodbye) – נשתמע, להשתמע Az machar ah? – So tomorrow, right? – אז מחר, אה? Az be-chamishi, ken? – So on Thursday, ok? – אז בחמישי, כן? Az be-shalosh, ken? – So at 3pm, right? – אז בשלוש, כן? Az be-shesh, sababa? – So at 6pm, ok? – אז בשש, סבבה? Bye neshama/kapara/motek – Bye darling – ביי נשמה/כפרה/מותק Yalla mami, az nedaber – Ok darling, we’ll talk – יאללה ממי, אז נדבר   Playlist and Clips: Shaygetz – Shalom lach erez nehederet (lyrics) Margalit Tzan’ani – A

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 מַה Maaa? – ?מַה Ma chadash – ?מַה חָדָשׁ Ein chadash – אֵין חָדָשׁ Ein kol chadash tachat ha-shemesh – אֵין כֹּל חָדָש תַּחַת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ Ma chadash? – ?מָה חָדָשׁ Ein chadash, yesh chadash – אֵין חָדָשׁ, יש חָדָשׁ Ma shlomcha yakiri? – ?מַה שְׁלוֹמְךָ יָקִירִי Ma shlomech yakirati? – ?מַה שְׁלוֹמֵךְ יָקִירָתִי Ma itcha ahuv sheli? – ?מַה אִיתְךָ אָהוּב שֶׁלִי Eich holech? – ?אֵיךְ הוֹלֵךְ Playlist and clips: Educational TV show about ma nishma, interviews in Hebrew with Tomer Sharon, Margalit Tsan’ani and others Matt

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 – Are you up (awake)? – ער/ערה Daber/dabri iti – Talk to me – דבר/דברי איתי Hit’orart? – Did you get up? – התעוררת Lehit’orer – To wake up – להתעורר Tachzor/Tachzeri elai – Get back to me – תחזרי אליי Halo? Yachas! – Hey, can I get some attention here? – הלו? יחס Yachas – Treatment, attitude, attention – יחס Yechasim – Relations – יחסים Kara mashehu – Did something happen? – קרה משהו Likrot – To happen – לקרות Eifo at? – Where are you? – איפה את Bi-fgisha (be-pgisha) – In a meeting – בפגישה Bensi’a – In the car – בנסיעה

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 – Good night – לילה טוב “Erev Tov im Guy Pines” – Good evening with Guy Pines – ערב טוב עם גיא פינס Aravim – Evenings (also: Arabs) – ערבים “Libi ba-mizrach va-anochi be-sof maarav” – My heart is in the east, and I am at the end of the west – ליבי במזרח ואנוכי בסוף מערב Maarav – West – מערב Maghreb (Ar.) الْمَغْرِب – Ma’arav (Heb.) – West – מערב Ma’arvon – Western (movie) – מערבון Erev chag – The day before the holiday – ערב חג Erev Shabbat – Friday evening – ערב שבת Shabbat ba-erev – Saturday evening – שבת בערב Erev sh

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 – Female beauty – יופי נשי “At hachi yafa ba’olam, malkat hayofi sheli” – You’re the prettiest in the world, my beauty queen – את הכי יפה בעולם, מלכת היופי שלי Malkat hayofi shel Israel – The Israeli beauty queen – מלכת היופי של ישראל Li-shnat 2014 – For the year of 2014 – לשנת 2014 Hi muamedet mispar 12 mor maran – …is candidate number 12 mor maran – היא מועמדת מספר 12 מור מורן Yofi – Great! Well done! – יופי Eize yoffie li – How great it is for me – איזה יופי לי Yofi lahem! – Good for them! – יופי להם Yofi lecha –

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 simultaneous interpretation: Guy speaks in English while Grego translates into Spanish. Impressive! Music: Marina Maximilian Blumin - Ani Holechet

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 “Ha-aretz mitpatachat kmo ha-zayin sheli” – “The country is developing like my dick” – הארץ מתפתחת כמו הזין שלי Yedidoot – Friendship – ידידות Yezizoot – “friendship with benefits” – יזיזות Yadid – Platonic friend – ידיד Yaziz – Friend with benefit – יזיז Eize zayin – What a bummer – איזה זין Eize zayin hu – He is such a prick – איזה זין הוא Ani sam zayin – I don’t give a damn – אני שם זין Lasim zayin – Not to give a damn – לשים זין Ani lo sam alav zayin – I don’t give a damn about him – אני לא שם עליו זין Al hazayi

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 – Humanitarian ceasefire – הפסקת אש הומניטרית Ha-hafsaka ha-gdola – “The big break” – ההפסקה הגדולה Hifsakti lenasot – I stopped trying – הפסקתי לנסות Hifsakti le’ashen lifeni shavua – I stopped smoking a week ago – הפסקתי לעשן לפני שבוע “Choshev lehafsik le’ashen? Eize yofi” – Do you think of stopping smoking? That’s great – חושב להפסיק לעשן? איזה יופי “Kshe’at noga’at bi, ani mafsik lachshov” – When you touch me I stop thinking – כשאת נוגעת בי, אני מפסיק לחשוב Lo tafsiki lekavot – You will not stop hoping – לא תפסיקי לקוות H

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 תומר Shlomi, shlomcha, shlomech, shlomo, shloma, shlomenu, shlomchem, shlomam Ma shlomenu ha-yom? – How are we doing today? – מה שלומנו היום Shalom aleichem – Peace be upon you – שלום עליכם Shalom aleichem malachei ha-shalom – Peace be upon you, ministering angels – שלום עליכם, מלאכי השלום Salam alaykum – Peace be upon you (Arabic) – ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ – סלאם עליכום Shulem aleichem – Shalom aleichem in Yiddish – שלום עליכם “Sholem shloem le’olam, b-rogez b-rogez af pa’am” – A Pinky Swear in Hebrew (literal translati

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 tsarich lehagi’a la mamad” – You need to get to the mamad – אתה צריך להגיע לממ”ד Mamad, Merchav Mugan Dirati – Protected apartmental space (Residential Secure Space) – ממ”ד, מרחב מוגן דירתי Uga, ugati – Cake, cakey – עוגה, עוגתי Dira, dirati – Apartment (N.), of the apartment (adj.) – דירה, דירתי Mamak – Merhav mugan Komati – Secure space of the floor – ממ”ק, מרחב מוגן קומתי Koma, komati – Floor (N.), of the floor (adj.) – קומה, קומתי Miklat – Shelter – מקלט Miklat tsiburi – Public shelter – מקלט ציבורי “Za’aze et bi

“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 lalechet – I must go – אני חייב ללכת Kama ani chayav / chayevet lecha? – How much do I owe you? – כמה אני חייב/חייבת לך Nir’eh – We’ll see – נראה Nedaber me-halev – We’ll talk from the heart – נדבר מהלב Az nedaber – We’ll talk – אז נדבר Daber iti – Talk to me – דבר איתי Nihye bekesher – We’ll be in touch – נהיה בקשר Spontani? – Are you spontaneous? (=Are you free right now?) – ספונטני Ani rotsa lifgosh otcha spontani – I want to meet you spontaneously – אני רוצה לפגוש אותך ספונטני Ani spontani – I am spontaneous – אני ספונ

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/leaving – אני הולכת Ani holechet le-yerushalayim – I am walking to Jerusalem – אני הולכת לירושלים Ani nosaat le-yerushalayim – I am going to Jerusalem (by car/bus/train) – אני נוסעת לירושלים Anachnu holchim – We’re leaving – אנחנו הולכים Eich holech? – How is it going? – איך הולך Ma holech gever? – How is it going dude? – מה הולך גבר? Eich holech? Ma holech? – How are things? – איך הולך, מה הולך Eich holech ba-avoda, eich holech ba-bayit – How is it going at work, at home? – איך הולך בעבודה, איך הולך בבית Ma holech 

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-klavim – To throw someone to the dogs – לזרוק מישהו לכלבים Tizreki oto – Dump him – תזרקי אותו Ulai tizrok et ha-nayad – Why won’t you throw away the cellphone? – אולי תזרוק את הנייד Tizrok, zrok – Throw (imp.) – תזרוק, זרוק “Rak zrok mila” – Just throw a word – רק זרוק מילה Zrok lo eize mila – Throw in a word when you talk to him – זרוק לו איזה מילה Zaruk – Thrown, dumped – זרוק Dafuk ve-zaruk be-paris u-ve-london – Down and out in Paris and London – דפוק וזרוק בפריס ובלונדון Nizrak – It was thrown, he was dumped –

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-יָאללָה Tov, yalla bye – טוֹב, יָאללָה בַּיי Tov, yalla mmmmmmbye – טוֹב, יָאללָה מְמְמְמְמְ-בַּיי   Playlist and Clips: Nancy Ajram – Yalla “Yalla Now” Pepsi ad, Arabic Sarit hadad – Yalla Lech Ha-bayita Moti (Lyrics here) Lior Narkis – Az Yalla (Lyrics here) Ariel Horowitz – Yalla Bye (Lyrics here)

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 Ata yachol la’atsor po be-vakasha? – Could you stop here please? – אתה יכול לעצור פה בבקשה Ta’atsor li po vaksha – Stop here for me, please – תעצור לי פה (ב)בקשה “Hizaher, yesh atsor ba-knisa” – Attention, there is a stop sign at the entrance – היזהר, יש עצור בכניסה Atsira ba-derech – A stop on the way – עצירה בדרך Atsirat gshamim – Drought – עצירת גשמים Atsiroot kasha – Severe constipation – עצירוּת קשה Otser – Curfew – עוצר Otser – He is stopping – עוצר Ma’atsar – Detention – מעצר Ma’atsor – Obstacle, mental block –

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 גְּדוֹלוֹת Yesh anashim she-bonim migdalim – יֵשׁ אֲנָשִׁים שֶׁבּוֹנִים מִגְדָּלִים Ligdol – לִגְדּוֹל Gadalti be-shana – גָּדַלְתִּי בְּשָׁנָה Legadel yeladim – לְגַדֵּל יְלָדִים Legadel safam, zakan – לְגַדֵּל שָׂפָם, זָקָן Lehagdil, lehaktin – לְהַגְדִּיל, לְהַקְטִין Ata rotse lehagdil? – אַתָּה רוֹצֶה לְהַגְדִּיל? Hagdala – הַגְדָּלָה Hagdalat shadayim – הַגְדַלַת שָׁדַיִים Music: Ha-keves ha-shisha-asar – Kshe-eheye gadol (Lyrics here) Sarit Chadad – Rak she-teda et ha-emet (Lyrics here) Rita – Hayinu gdolim (Lyrics here)

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 ha-kesher – What’s the connection, what does it have to do with it? – מה הקשר Be-kesher le – Regarding – בקשר ל- Shalom ze bekesher la-dira – Hello, this is regarding the apartment – שלום זה בקשר לדירה Shalom, ze bekesher la-modaa – Hi, I am calling about the ad – שלום, זה בקשר למודעה Tihye bekesher – Be in touch! – תהיה בקשר Likshor – To tie, to make a knot – לקשור Likshor ksharim – To make connections – לקשור קשרים Kashur beseret – Tied with a ribbon – קשור בסרט Kashur elayich ba-neshama – Attached to you with my s

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, rosh katan is something that risks lives – ראש גדול זה דבר שמציל חיים, ראש קטן זה דבר שמְסכן חיים  Lesaken – To risk, endanger – לסכן Lehagdil rosh – To be rosh gadol – להגדיל ראש Lehaktin rosh – To be rosh katan – להקטין ראש Rosh ha-shana – Jewish New Year – ראש השנה Rashi – Main – ראשי Rehov rashi – Main street – רחוב ראשי Reshit – Beginning – ראשית Be-reshit – In the beginning – בראשית Be-reshit bara elohim et ha-shamayim ve et ha-aretz – And in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth – בראשית ברא אלוהים