Streetwise Hebrew

Over the next three weeks we'll be airing pieces of the Skype chat host Guy Sharett had with some of our Patrons in March. In this, part 1 of the chat, we meet the Patrons and hear about some of their experiences visiting Tel Aviv and trying to use their Hebrew.

Exclusive Content for Patrons

In a country where everybody tells you what to do, how to do it and when, it's only natural that the word עדיף – "it's preferable" – is one you'd hear every day. Guy explores the עדיף family of words, and shows us the link between preference, priority, and pasta.

Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon

New Words and Expressions:

Adif – Preferable – עדיף

Adif machar – Better (to do it) tomorrow – עדיף מחר

"Az adif lehisha'er" – So, it's better to stay – אז עדיף להישאר

"Adif lalechet achshav" – It's better to go now – עדיף ללכת עכשיו

Adif la'asot et ze kacha – It's better to do it this way – עדיף לעשות את זה ככה

Adif she- -We'd better, you'd better, it's better – עדיף ש

Adif she-telech achshav – You'd better leave now – עדיף שתלך עכשיו

Ma adif, ze o ze? – What's better, this one or that one? – מה עדיף, זה או זה

Eizo gvina adifa? – Which cheese is better? – איזו גבינה עדיפה

"Kulam adifim al korbanot ha-milchama" – They are all better over korbanot ha-milchama- כולם עדיפים על קורבנות המלחמה

"Halcha elav, azva oti, hayiti adifut shniya" – She went to his place, she left me, I was the second priority – הלכה אליו, עזבה אותי, הייתי עדיפות שנייה

Adifut gvoha yoter – Higher priority – עדיפות גבוהה יותר

Latet adifut le-mashehu – To give priority to something – לתת עדיפות למישהו

Seder adifuyot – Priorities – סדר עדיפויות

Odef – Change (Money) – עודף

Odef mishkal – Overweight – עודף משקל

Odafim – Surplus, outlet stock, extra – עודפים

Ma at ma'adifa – What do you prefer? – מה את מעדיפה

Leha'adif – To prefer – להעדיף

Ani maadifa lishtok – I prefer to keep quiet- להעדיף

Ma hayita ma'adif, ma hayit maadifa – What would you prefer? – מה היית מעדיף/מעדיפה

Ani ma'adif pasta al humus – I prefer pasta over hummus – אני מעדיף פסטה על חומוס

Eizo hultsa ata ma'adif? – Which shirt do you prefer? – איזו חולצה אתה מעדיף

Mu'adaf – Preferred, favored – מועדף

Ha'adafa – Preference – העדיפה

Yesh lecha ha'adafa? – Do you have any preference? – יש לך העדפה

Haadafa metakenet – Affirmative action – העדפה מתקנת

Playlist and Clips:

Daniel Solomon – Adif (lyrics)

Teapacks – Adif Lalechet Achshav (lyrics)

Menachmem Begin – speech

Michael Hen – Tamim Hayiti (lyrics)

Tipim la-meltsar, tips for the waiter

Ninet Tayeb – Medabrim (lyrics)

MK Akram Hasson

Ep. no. 125 about heshbon

"Keta" means "part," "section," "thing" or "gag," but it also appears in lots of really handy Hebrew slang expressions. Host Guy Sharett explains how we use "keta" to say that we're not into something, or to tell our friend how (un)funny they're being.

Exclusive Content for Patrons

New words & expressions:

Keta, kta'im – Part; section; leg of a trip; thing; gag – קטע/קטעים

Yeled shome'a kta'im ba-sicha – A kid hears parts of the conversation – ילד שומע קטעים בשיחה

He-keta ba-seret – The part/scene in the movie – הקטע בסרט

Ze keta mesukan – It's a dangerous thing – זה קטע מסוכן

Lo ahavti et ha-keta – I didn't like this – לא אהבתי את הקטע

Lo mevina ta-keta – I don't get it – לא מבינה ת'קטע

Makirim et ha-kete she…? – Do you know that thing when…? – ?...מכירים את הקטע ש

Haya beynehem keta – There was a thing between them – היה ביניהם קטע

At lo mamash ba-kate – You're not really into that – את לא ממש בקטע

Hu be-keta shel banim (Hu ba-keta)– He's into guys – הוא בקטע של בנים

Ani lo hoshev she-hu ba-keta – I don't think he's into it – אני לא חושב שהוא בקטע

Keta tov – Something good that happened – קטע טוב

Ani omer et ze be-keta tov – I am saying this in a good way – אני אומר את זה בקטע טוב

Hu amar et ze be-keta ra – He said it in a mean way – הוא אמר את זה בקטע רע

Eize keta/kta'im – How funny/What a surprise – איזה קטע/קטעים

Eize keta she-gam ata po – How funny that you're also here – איזה קטע שגם אתה פה

Kta'im itcha! – You're hilarious! – !קטעים איתך

Chma (shma)/Chme'i/Chme'u keta – Listen to this – צ'מע/צ'מעי/צ'מעו קטע

Klot/kleti/kletu ta-keta – Do you get this?/ Get this/Look at this – קלוט/קלטי/קלטו ת'קטע

Ma ha-keta shla? – What's her deal? – ?מה הקטע שלה

Ma ha-keta sh'cha? – What's your deal? – ?מה הקטע ש'ךָ

Yesh la keta – There's something about her – יש לה קטע

Ze keta keta – It's quite a thing – זה קטע קטע

Asa li keta masri'ach – He played a dirty trick on me – עשה לי קטע מסריח

Looking for the monologue text? It's available to our patrons at patreon.com/streetwisehebrew.

Playlist and clips: Dan Toren – Imperiot Noflot Leat (lyrics) Dani Robas – Keta Mesukan (lyrics) Gani Tamir – Kshe-ata Omer Shalom (lyrics) Ella Fitzgerald – Every Time We Say Goodbye Eric Berman – Ha-sigaria Ha-achrona (lyrics) Noam Partom – Poetube

"Lefargen" is a rather special word with no simple translation into English. It means to express happiness for someone, to encourage and praise them with full empathy. As host Guy Sharett explains, in some cases it can mean to give something out of the goodness of your heart. Get ready for a feel-good episode!

Exclusive Content for Patrons

New words & expressions:

Lefargen – To express happiness for someone, to encourage and praise them with full empathy – לפרגן

Firgun (verbal noun) – The act of "lefargen" – פרגון

Farginen (Yiddish) – "Lefargen" – פֿאַרגינען

Farginen sich (Yiddish) –זיך פֿאַרגינען – Lefargen le-atsmo – לפרגן לעצמו – To allow oneself to do something

VergÖnnen (German) – To grant someone something

Hu firgen le mishehu – He "firgened" (to) someone – הוא פרגן למישהו

Fargen lo (imperative) – "Fargen" (to) him! – פרגן לו

Az ten kavod, fargen le'atsmecha - So give respect, "fargen" (to) yourself – אז תן כבוד, פרגן לעצמך

Zo she-tsricha lilmod lefargen le-atsma – The one (fem.) who needs to learn to "lefargen" (to) herself – זו שצריכה ללמוד לפרגן לעצמה

Lefargen le'atsmecha, le'atsmech, le'atsmechem – "Lefargen" to yourself/yourselves – לפרגן לעצמך/לעצמכם

Ein kin'a ve-ein tina, rak firgun ve-ahava - No jealousy and no grudge, just firgun, and love – אין קנאה ואין טינה, רק פרגון ואהבה

Sihot mefargenot – Positive conversations – שיחות מפרגנות

Ben zug mefargen/Bat zug mefargenet – A supportive partner – בן/בת זוג מפרגן/מפרגנת

Hu firgen li be-zer prahim madhim – He "firgened" me with an amazing bouquet of flowers – הוא פרגן לי בזר פרחים מדהים

Fargen li eize espresso (imperative) – Make me an espresso! – פרגן לי איזה אספרסו

Lefargen lecha eize ugat shokolad? – Can I "lefargen" you a chocolate cake? – ?לפרגן לך איזה עוגת שוקולד

Toda al ha-firgun – Thanks for the "firgun" – תודה על הפרגון

Rak ratziti lefargen – I just wanted to compliment you – רק רציתי לפרגן

Looking for the monologue text? It's available to our patrons at patreon.com/streetwisehebrew.

Playlist and clips: Networking Iski – Firgun Nati Levy – Dai Lisno (lyrics) Tachles – Shuvo Shel Ha-Sachbak (lyrics) Sharon Haziz – Mar'ah, Mar'ah (lyrics) Eti Levy & Zehava Ben – Dam Ehad (lyrics) Etnix – Ha-Tov Kore (lyrics)

Streetwise Hebrew surpassed 700,000 downloads, and Guy thinks this is a great reason to talk about the root of number seven in Hebrew – שבע – and get to learn its other meanings.

Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon

New Words and Expressions:

Sheva – Seven – שבע

Sheva banot – Seven girls – שבע בנות

Shiv'ah banim – Seven boys – שבעה בנים

Shiv'ah – The traditional seven days of mourning in Judaism – שבעה

Ani holech le-shiv'ah – I'm going to a shiv'ah – אני הולך לשבעה

Yesh li shiv'ah shel aba shel haver – I have a shiv'ah for a friend's father – יש לי שבעה של אבא של חבר

Efo ha-shiva'ah? – Where is the shiv'ah? – איפה השבעה

Efo hem yoshvim shiv'ah? – Where are they siting shiv'ah? – איפה הם יושבים שבעה

Shavu'a, shavu'ot (m.) – Week, weeks – שבוע, שבועות

Shavu'ah tov – Have a good week – שבוע טוב

She-yihye lecha / lach shavu'ah tov – May you have a good week – שיהיה לך שבוע טוב

Shvu'ayim -Two weeks – שבועיים

Shvu'ah ha-sefer – Book week (book fair) – שבוע הספר

Sof Shavu'ah – Weekend – סופשבוע

Shvu'ah ha-avoda – Work week – שבוע העבודה

"Shavu'ah-Shavu'ah" – One week at the army base, one week at home – שבוע שבוע

Ani nishba lach – I swear to you – אני נשבע לך

Shvu'ah – Oath – שבועה

Lehishava – Swear – להישבע

lehashbi'ah – To swear someone in – להשביע

Hashba'ah – Swearing in ceremony – השבעה

Save'ah – Full (Had enough food) – שבע

Lisbo'ah – To become full after eating – לשבוע

Playlist and Clips:

Oshik Levy – Ze Mi-kvar (lyrics)

Efraiym Di Zahav – Shavu'ah tov (lyrics)

Ariel Zilber – Shvu'ayim be-ir zara (lyrics)

Moshe Peretz – Nishba Lach (lyrics)

Ep. no. 96 about may you have HEB

Ep. no. 302 about condolences HEB

Listen up! Today's episode teaches you how to do something very useful on the Israeli streets – to stop someone who's talking at you and tell them "listen!" Pay attention as Guy explores this gem of a root.

Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon

New Words and Expressions:

Takshiv, takshivi, takshivu – Listen! (imperative) – תקשיב, תקשיבי, תקשיבו

"Im takshiv heytav" – If you listen well – אם תקשיב היטב

Takshiv li ve-takshiv li tov! – Listen to me and listen well – תקשיב לי ותקשיב לי טוב

Aval takshiv/takshivi rega – But listen for a sec – אבל תקשיב/תקשיבי רגע

Takshiv/takshivi/takshivu shniya – Listen for a sec. – תקשיב/תקשיבי/תקשיבו רגע

Hakshev, hakshivi, hakshivu – Listen! (Archaic imperative, not in use in colloquial language) – הקשב, הקשיבי, הקשיבו

Takshiv ma ta'ase, takshivi ma ta'asi, takshivu ma ta'asu – Listen to what you need to do – תקשיב מה תעשה, תקשיבי מה תעשי, תקשיבו מה תעשו

"Lo hikshavtem li' – You didn't listen to me (I told you so) – לא הקשבתם לי

Hakshava – Listening carefully – הקשבה

Lehakshiv le-sipur – To listen to a story – להקשיב לסיפור

Ata chayav lehakshiv leze – You must listen to this – אתה חייב להקשיב לזה

Takshiv le-ze rega – Listen to this for a sec. – תקשיב לזה רגע

Kashuv – Attentive – קשוב

Keshev – Attentiveness – קשב

Hafra'at Keshev Ve-rikuz – Attention deficit disorder (ADD) – הפרעת קשב וריכוז

Kashav – Radio monitor – קשב

"Kashavenu Miki Gurdus" – Our monitor, Miki Gurdus – קשבנו מיקי גורדוס

Playlist and Clips:

Mati Caspi – Kolot Ha-sade (lyrics)

Maya Buskila – Takshivi Li (lyrics)

Gidi Gov & Rita – Haya'ich ve-hayai (lyrics)

Arik Einstein – Atur Mitschech (lyrics)

Yoni Rechter – Hakshava (lyrics)

Hafra'at Keshev Ve-rikuz (ADD)

Kashavenu Miki Gurdus – Yom Kippur War

Sarit Hadad – Kim'at Holechet (lyrics)

Michael Gurdus

Ep. 236 EN HEB

This episode is all about "mazal tov." How do we congratulate friends who have a newborn baby? And what do you say when you're not sure if it's a boy or a girl, in a gender-based language like Hebrew? Guy has all the answers.

Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon

New Words and Expressions:

Mazal tov – Congratulations – מזל טוב

She-yihie be-mazal tov – Congratulations – שיהיה במזל טוב

Mazal tov al ha-herayon – Congrats for the pregnancy – מזל טוב על ההריון

Mazal tov al ha-dira – Congrats for the apartment – מזל טוב על הדירה

Magi'a lecha/lach mazal tov, lo? – You deserve a mazal tov, right? – מגיע לך מזל טוב, לא

Brachot – Blessings, greetings – ברכות

Ani me'achelet lecha/lach she- – I wish you that – אני מאחלת לך ש

Eize kef lishmo'ah – So happy to hear this – איזה כיף לשמוע

Eize yoffie – How great- איזה יופי

Be-sha'ah tova – Congratulations – בשעה טובה

Be'emet be-shaa tova – Congratulations – באמת בשעה טובה

Bekarov etslecha/etslech/etslachem – May we celebrate the same thing for you soon – בקרוב אצלך/אצלכם

Samachti lishmo'a – I was so happy to hear this – שמחתי לשמוע

Wow, ma-ze samachti lishmo'a she- – I was happy to hear that – וואו, מה-זה שמחתי לשמוע ש

Ratsiti lehagid mazal tov – I wanted to say congratulations – רציתי להגיד מזל טוב

Ratsinu lehagid mazal tov – We wanted to say congratulations – רצינו להגיד מזל טוב

Playlist and Clips:

Elad Shodler – Mazal Tov (lyrics)

Eric Berman – Beinonimi (lyrics)

Sarit Haddad – Ani Me'achelet Lech (lyrics)

Yehuda Sa'ado – Be-tsel Dmuta (lyrics)

Tzipi Shavit – Mazal Tov

Ep. no. 51 about yoffi HEB

Episode no. 96 about wishing HEB

Episode no. 350 about evil eye HEB

One of the first things we learn to say in a foreign language is "how much does it cost?" But what if we're the ones who are selling? We have to know how to "charge" as well. Guy helps us get our heads around all these money matters, including how to tell a shopkeeper that we were mistakenly charged for something.

Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon

New Words and Expressions:

Kama ze ole lanu? – How much does it cost us? – כמה זה עולה לנו

Kama ze ole li ba-shura ha-tachtona? – How much does it cost me, bottom line – כמה זה עולה לי בשורה התחתונה

Kama ze ala lecha/lach/lachem? – How much did it cost you? – כמה זה עלה לך/לכם

Kama alta ha-arucha? – How much did the meal cost? – כמה עלתה הארוחה

Kama ola ha-arucha? – How much does it cost? – כמה עולה הארוחה

Kama olot ha-naalayim? – How much do the shoes cost? – כמה עולות הנעליים

"Kama ola ahava avuda?" – How much does a lost love cost? – כמה עולה אהבה אבודה

Kama ze ya'ale li? – How much will it cost me? – כמה זה יעלה לי

Kama ta'ale li ha-mesiba? – How much will the party cost me? – כמה תעלה לי המסיבה

Kama ya'alu li ha-naalayim? – How much will the shoes cost me? – כמה יעלו לי הנעליים

Kama ole shi'ur/seshen? – How much is a lesson/session? – כמה עולה שיעור/סשן

Kama ze shi'ur – How much is a lesson? – כמה זה שיעור

Kama ata loke'ach al shiur? – How much do you (m.) take for a lesson? – כמה אתה לוקח על שיעור

Kama at lokachat al shiur? – How much do you (f.) take for a lesson? – כמה את לוקחת על שיעור

Kama ani chayav/Chayevet? – How much do I owe you? – כמה אני חייב/חייבת

Kama anachnu hayavim lecha? – How much do we owe you? – כמה אנחנו חייבים לך

Chiyuv – A charge – חיוב

Ha-chiyuv shel februar – The February charge – החיוב של פברואר

Hatava – Perk, bonus – הטבה

Ba-chiyuv haba – In the next charge – בחיוב הבא

Hiyavtem oti be-200 shekel be-ta'ut – You charged me with 200 shekel by mistake – חייבתם אותי ב-200 שקל בטעות

Lechayev – To charge – לחייב

Hitchayvut – Obligation, duty – התחייבות

Ta'anoog – Pleasure – תענוג

Kama (oleh/yaaleh li) ha-ta'anoog? – How much is the pleasure? – כמה התענוג

Playlist and Clips:

Shlomo Artzi – Tachat Shmei Yam Tichon (lyrics)

Yehuda Poliker – Romantika Zola (lyrics)

Dudu Tassa – Ani Rats (lyrics)

Meir Ariel & David Broza – Be-tsohorey Hayom (lyrics)

"You guys look so alike, it's crazy!" The Israeli street is all about exclamations, including strangers telling you how much you resemble someone… or not. It's important to understand what's being said, so today Guy focuses on the Hebrew word דומה and its relatives. And what does this all have to do with virtual reality and imagination?

Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon

New Words and Expressions:

Domeh – Resembles, looks like – דומה

"Hi lo doma le-af achat acheret" – She does not resemble anyone else – היא לא דומה לאף אחת אחרת

Hu domeh le-mishehu – He looks like someone – הוא דומה למישהו

Hu domeh la-ima – He resembles his mom – הוא דומה לאימא

Ata ma-ze domeh lo – You really look like him – אתה מה-זה דומה לו

At ma-ze doma la – You really look like her – את מה-זה דומה לה

Atem ma ze domim, mamash copy – You really look alike – אתם מה-זה דומים, ממש קופי

Atem domim echad la-sheni – You resemble each other – אתם דומים אחד לשני

Atem davka lo domim – You actually don't look alike – אתם דווקא לא דומים

Hu nir'aa kmo – He looked like (past tense) – הוא נראה כמו

Hu haya domeh le-mishehu – He looked like someone – הוא היה דומה למישהו

Dmooy Or – Leather-like – דמוי עור

Dmooy schnitzel – Faux schnitzel – דמוי שניצל

"Ve-ulai ze rak nidmeh li" – And maybe it's just my imagination – ואולי זה רק נדמה לי

Nidmeh li she… – It seems to me that – נדמה לי ש

Nidmeh lecha! – It only seems that way to you – נדמה לך

Haya nidmeh li – It seemed to me – היה נדמה לי

Ledamot – To visualize, to imagine – לדמות

Dimooy – Metaphor – דימוי

Dimooy atsmi – Self image – דימוי עצמי

Metsi'oot meduma – Virtual reality – מציאות מדומה

Ha-choleh ha-medumeh – Le Malade Imaginaire – The Imaginary Invalid – החולה המדומה

"At lo yoda'at im zo stam metsi'oot o dimyon" – You don't know if it's just reality or imagination – את לא יודעת אם זו סתם מציאות או דמיון

"Ba-leilot rak otcha medamyenet" – At night I imagine only you – בלילות רק אותך מדמיינת

Medoomyan – Imagined – מדומיין

"El hiboor dimyoni" – To an imaginary connection – אל חיבור דמיוני

Dmoot – Image, figure, personality – דמות

"Ani kol kach harbeh dmooyot" – I am so many figures, I have so many personalities – אני כל כך הרבה דמויות

Hadmaya – Simulation – הדמייה

Playlist and Clips:

Arkadi Duchin – Hi Lo Doma (lyrics)

Hava Alberstein – Shir Tishrei (lyrics)

Dana Berger – Hamimoot Holefet (lyrics)

Molière – Ha-holeh ha-medoomeh

Ariel Zilber – Rootsi Shmulik (lyrics)

Sarit Haddad – Aba (lyrics)

Yehuda Poliker – Ha-tsel ve-ani (lyrics)

Natan Goshen – Od (lyrics)

Ep. no. 62 about davka HEB

Ep. no. 180 about metsi'oot, reality

Asking for the bill is one of the most important things to learn in any language. But חשבון, in Hebrew, is about much more than just settling the account.

Guy explains how Israelis do self-reflection, how they break even… and how they don't give a damn.

Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon

New Words and Expressions:

Heshbon, heshbonot (m.) – Bill, bills – חשבון, חשבונות

Heshbon bank – Bank account – חשבון בנק

Heshbon hotsa'ot – Expense account – חשבון הוצאות

Heshbon nefesh – Self examination – חשבון נפש

Lehavi / Lakachat be-heshbon – To take into consideration – להביא / לקחת בחשבון

Kach / K'chi / K'choo be-heshbon she- – Take into consideration that… (Imp.) – קח / קחי / קחו בחשבון

K'chi be-heshbon she-kar – Take into consideration that it's cold – קחי בחשבון שקר

Kach be-heshbon she-yakar sham – Take into consideration that it's expensive there – קח בחשבון שיקר שם

Lo ba be-heshbon – It's out of the question – לא בא בחשבון

"Panim she-lo osot heshbon" – A face that does not give a damn – פנים שלא עושות חשבון

Hu lo dofek heshbon – He doesn't give a damn – הוא לא דופק חשבון

Ma, ata dofek heshbon le-mishehu? – Do you care about others? – מה, אתה דופק חשבון למישהו

Hi sogeret heshbonot – She's clearing the table – היא סוגרת חשבונות

Hisool heshbonot – Score settling – חיסול חשבונות

Zeh al heshboncha? – Is it at your expense – זה על חשבונך

Al heshbon ha-bayit – On the house – על חשבון הבית

Zeh al heshbonenu – This is on our account – זה על חשבוננו

Heshbon aroch – A long-standing score – חשבון ארוך

Yesh li heshbon aroch ito – I have a long-standing score to settle with him – יש לי חשבון ארוך איתו

Be-heshbon pashut – In simple arithmetic – בחשבון פשוט

Ro'eh heshbon – Accountant – רואה חשבון

Heshbona'ut / Re'iyat heshbon – Accounting – חשבונאות / ראיית חשבון

Hanhalat heshbonot – Bookkeeping – הנהלת חשבונות

Menahel / menahelet heshbonot – Bookkeeper – מנהל / מנהלת חשבונות

Tavi'i cheshbonit – Bring an invoice (imp. f.) – תביאי חשבונית

Heshbonit mas – Tax invoice – חשבונית מס

Lehashben le-mishehu – To care too much about something – לחשבן למישהו

Lehitchashben – To settle accounts with someone – להתחשבן

Bo nitchashben ba-sof – Let's do the math at the end – בוא נתחשבן בסוף

Ma, ata mitchashben iti al cafe? – Forget it, it's just a coffee, my treat! – מה, אתה מתחשבן איתי על קפה

Hitchashbenut – Settling an account – התחשבנות

Playlist and Clips:

Ariel Zilber – Holech Batel (lyrics)

Ofra Haza – Shir Ha-frecha (lyrics)

Rami Kleinstein & Ha-mo'atsa – Ha-boker At Holechet (lyrics)

Tea Packs & Alma Zak – Perech Ha-shchunot (lyrics)

Ep. 172 about to knock

Ep. 440 about receipt and invoice HEB