Phrasebook
Basic Hebrew phrases for a trip to Israel
All 157 phrases from the OrQuest app’s phrasebook, in 12 groups. Each is tagged formal, casual or neutral, and 56 come with the reply you’re likely to hear. The Hebrew is shown with full vowel points.
Hello and Goodbye
The greetings you will use a dozen times a day, and the two sentences that get you out of trouble when the Hebrew runs out.
In the guides to the Jewish Quarter, Old City, the Mount of Olives, Old Jaffa and the Port, Neve Tzedek, Independence Hall, the Ancient Synagogue at Kfar Baram and the Shore of the Sea of Galilee.
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning | Tone | Reply you may hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| שָׁלוֹם | shalom | Hello; goodbye; peaceOne word for hello, goodbye and peace. It works at any hour, with anyone. | Neutral | שָׁלוֹםshalomHello |
| שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם | shalom aleichem | Peace be upon youLiterally: peace upon-you (plural)A warm traditional greeting, common among religious Israelis. The plural form is used even for one person. | Formal | עֲלֵיכֶם שָׁלוֹםaleichem shalomAnd upon you, peace |
| בֹּקֶר טוֹב | boker tov | Good morningLiterally: morning goodHebrew puts the adjective after the noun, so it reads “morning good”. | Neutral | בֹּקֶר אוֹרboker orMorning of light |
| עֶרֶב טוֹב | erev tov | Good eveningLiterally: evening goodUsed from late afternoon on. Around midday people say tzohorayim tovim instead. | Neutral | עֶרֶב טוֹבerev tovGood evening |
| לַיְלָה טוֹב | laila tov | Good nightLiterally: night goodA parting phrase, not a greeting. To greet someone at night, use erev tov or shalom. | Neutral | לַיְלָה טוֹבlaila tovGood night |
| אַהְלָן | ahlan | HiBorrowed from Arabic and used constantly by Israelis of every background. Friendly, never formal. | Casual | אַהְלָןahlanHi |
| מַה שְׁלוֹמְךָ? | ma shlomcha? | How are you?Literally: what your-peace?To a woman say מַה שְׁלוֹמֵךְ (ma shlomech). Hebrew changes the ending for the person you are addressing. | Neutral | בְּסֵדֶר, תּוֹדָהbeseder, todaFine, thanks |
| מַה נִשְׁמָע? | ma nishma? | What’s new?Literally: what is-heard?Identical for men and women, which makes it the easy choice when you are unsure. | Casual | הַכֹּל טוֹבhakol tovAll good |
| נָעִים מְאֹד | na'im me'od | Nice to meet youLiterally: pleasant verySome religious Israelis do not shake hands with the opposite sex, so let the other person offer first. | Neutral | נָעִים מְאֹדna'im me'odNice to meet you too |
| אֵיךְ קוֹרְאִים לְךָ? | eich kor'im lecha? | What’s your name?Literally: how they-call to-you?To a woman: אֵיךְ קוֹרְאִים לָךְ (eich kor’im lach). Hebrew asks what people call you. | Neutral | קוֹרְאִים לִי דָּוִדkor'im li DavidMy name is David |
| לְהִתְרָאוֹת | lehitra'ot | See you; goodbyeLiterally: to see one anotherThe everyday goodbye. Israelis also say bye, borrowed straight from English. | Neutral | לְהִתְרָאוֹתlehitra'otSee you |
| אֲנִי לֹא מְדַבֵּר עִבְרִית | ani lo medaber ivrit | I don’t speak HebrewLiterally: I not speaking HebrewA woman says מְדַבֶּרֶת (medaberet). This verb agrees with you, the speaker, not with the listener. | Neutral | אֵין בְּעָיָהein be'ayaNo problem |
| אַתָּה מְדַבֵּר אַנְגְּלִית? | ata medaber anglit? | Do you speak English?Literally: you speaking English?To a woman: אַתְּ מְדַבֶּרֶת אַנְגְּלִית (at medaberet anglit). Most younger Israelis will answer in English. | Neutral | קְצָתktzatA little |
Please, Thanks, Sorry
Israeli manners are direct rather than formal. These are the words that carry the warmth.
In the guides to the Temple Mount Overlook, the City of David, Yad Vashem, the Synagogue of El Tránsito, Santa María la Blanca, the Portuguese Synagogue, the Eldridge Street Synagogue and the Mellah and Slat al-Azama.
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning | Tone | Reply you may hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| בְּבַקָּשָׁה | bevakasha | Please; here you are; you’re welcomeLiterally: in requestOne word covers “please”, “here you are” and “you’re welcome”. Tone and context tell you which. | Neutral | None |
| תּוֹדָה | toda | Thank you | Neutral | בְּבַקָּשָׁהbevakashaYou’re welcome |
| תּוֹדָה רַבָּה | toda raba | Thank you very muchLiterally: thanks muchרַבָּה is feminine because תּוֹדָה is a feminine noun. Adjectives always agree with their noun. | Neutral | עַל לֹא דָּבָרal lo davarDon’t mention it |
| סְלִיחָה | slicha | Excuse me; sorryLiterally: forgivenessUse it to get attention, to apologise and to squeeze past. The most useful word in a crowd. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי מִצְטַעֵר | ani mitzta'er | I’m sorryA woman says מִצְטַעֶרֶת (mitzta’eret). This is a real apology; for bumping into someone, slicha is enough. | Neutral | זֶה בְּסֵדֶרze besederIt’s fine |
| אֵין בְּעָיָה | ein be'aya | No problemLiterally: there-is-not problemאֵין is the negative of יֵשׁ, there is. Hebrew has no verb “to have”: it says “there is to me”. | Casual | None |
| בְּסֵדֶר | beseder | Okay; fineLiterally: in orderHeard constantly, as an answer, an agreement and a shrug. Doubling it signals impatience. | Casual | None |
| אֶפְשָׁר? | efshar? | May I?Literally: possible?A one-word request. Point at what you mean, add bevakasha, and it is a complete polite sentence. | Neutral | כֵּן, בְּבַקָּשָׁהken, bevakashaYes, please do |
| אֶפְשָׁר לַעֲבֹר? | efshar la'avor? | May I get past?Literally: possible to pass?Essential on a full bus or in a market lane. Slicha works too, but this one is unmistakable. | Neutral | כֵּן, בְּבַקָּשָׁהken, bevakashaYes, go ahead |
| תִּסְלַח לִי | tislach li | Excuse meLiterally: you-will-forgive to-meTo a woman: תִּסְלְחִי לִי (tislechi li). A shade more formal than slicha, good with older people. | Formal | None |
| אַחֲרֶיךָ | acharecha | After youTo a woman: אַחֲרַיִךְ (acharayich). Said at a doorway or in a queue. | Neutral | תּוֹדָהtodaThank you |
| הַכֹּל בְּסֵדֶר? | hakol beseder? | Is everything all right?Literally: the-all in order?Asked of a stranger who looks lost, and asked of you when you look lost. | Neutral | הַכֹּל בְּסֵדֶר, תּוֹדָהhakol beseder, todaEverything’s fine, thanks |
| בְּתֵאָבוֹן | bete'avon | Enjoy your mealLiterally: with appetiteSaid by staff, and by anyone walking past your table. Answer with toda. | Neutral | תּוֹדָהtodaThank you |
Getting Around
Asking the way, understanding the answer and admitting you are lost without embarrassment.
In the guides to the Western Wall, the Jewish Quarter, Old City, the City of David, the Mount of Olives, Neve Tzedek, Tiberias, the Ancient Synagogue at Kfar Baram, the Shore of the Sea of Galilee, Masada, the Dead Sea, Timna Valley, the Synagogue of El Tránsito, Santa María la Blanca and the Venetian Ghetto.
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning | Tone | Reply you may hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| אֵיפֹה הַשֵּׁרוּתִים? | eifo hasherutim? | Where is the toilet?Literally: where the-services?שֵׁרוּתִים is plural in Hebrew, like the English “facilities”. Signs read שירותים or W.C. | Neutral | שָׁם, מֵאָחוֹרsham, me'achorThere, at the back |
| אֵיךְ מַגִּיעִים לַכֹּתֶל? | eich magi'im lakotel? | How do you get to the Western Wall?Literally: how one-arrives to-the-Kotel?Swap in any destination. The impersonal plural מַגִּיעִים is how Israelis ask this, with no I or you. | Neutral | לֵךְ יָשָׁר וְאָז יָמִינָהlech yashar ve'az yaminaGo straight, then right |
| יָמִינָה אוֹ שְׂמֹאלָה? | yamina o smola? | Right or left?The ending -ah means “towards”. Yamin is right, yamina is rightwards. | Neutral | שְׂמֹאלָהsmolaLeft |
| תַּמְשִׁיךְ יָשָׁר | tamshich yashar | Keep going straightTo a woman: תַּמְשִׁיכִי יָשָׁר (tamshichi yashar). You will hear this more often than you say it. | Casual | None |
| זֶה רָחוֹק? | ze rachok? | Is it far?Literally: this far?Hebrew needs no verb “to be” in the present, so two words make a whole question. | Neutral | לֹא, זֶה קָרוֹבlo, ze karovNo, it’s close |
| הָלַכְתִּי לְאִבּוּד | halachti leibud | I’m lostLiterally: I-went to lossHebrew says you “went to loss”. The past tense form is the same for men and women. | Neutral | לְאָן אַתָּה רוֹצֶה לְהַגִּיעַ?le'an ata rotze lehagia?Where do you want to get to? |
| אֶפְשָׁר לְהַרְאוֹת לִי בַּמַּפָּה? | efshar lehar'ot li bamapa? | Can you show me on the map?Literally: possible to-show to-me in-the-map?אֶפְשָׁר lets you skip choosing a male or female verb. Hold up your phone as you ask. | Neutral | None |
| אֵיפֹה הָעִיר הָעַתִּיקָה? | eifo hair haatika? | Where is the Old City?Literally: where the-city the-old?In Jerusalem this means the walled quarter around the Kotel. Akko, Jaffa and Tzfat have old cities too. | Neutral | None |
| אֵיפֹה הַתַּחֲנָה הַמֶּרְכָּזִית? | eifo hatachana hamerkazit? | Where is the central bus station?Literally: where the-station the-central?For a train station ask instead about תַּחֲנַת רַכֶּבֶת (tachanat rakevet). | Neutral | None |
| כַּמָּה זְמַן זֶה לוֹקֵחַ? | kama zman ze lokeach? | How long does it take?Literally: how-much time this takes? | Neutral | עֶשֶׂר דַּקּוֹת בְּרֶגֶלeser dakot beregelTen minutes on foot |
| אֲנִי מְחַפֵּשׂ אֶת הָרְחוֹב הַזֶּה | ani mechapes et harechov haze | I’m looking for this streetA woman says מְחַפֶּשֶׂת (mechapeset). Show the written address and this sentence does the rest. | Neutral | None |
| אֶפְשָׁר לָלֶכֶת בְּרֶגֶל? | efshar lalechet beregel? | Can I walk there?Literally: possible to-go on-foot?Jerusalem is hilly and Tel Aviv is flat, so the same distance feels very different. | Neutral | כֵּן, זֶה קָרוֹבken, ze karovYes, it’s close |
Taxis, Buses, Trains
Buying a ticket, boarding the right line and getting off where you meant to.
In the guides to the Mount of Olives, Yad Vashem and Neve Tzedek.
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning | Tone | Reply you may hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| אֵיזֶה אוֹטוֹבּוּס נוֹסֵעַ לְתֵל אָבִיב? | eize otobus nosea leTel Aviv? | Which bus goes to Tel Aviv?Literally: which bus travels to-Tel Aviv?Bus line numbers are read digit by digit, so line 480 is “arba, shmone, efes”. | Neutral | הַקַּו מִסְפָּר חָמֵשׁhakav mispar chameshLine number five |
| כַּרְטִיס אֶחָד, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | kartis echad, bevakasha | One ticket, pleaseIsraeli buses and trains use the Rav-Kav card or a payment app. Many lines no longer take cash, so load a card first. | Neutral | None |
| כַּמָּה עוֹלֶה כַּרְטִיס? | kama oleh kartis? | How much is a ticket?Literally: how-much rises ticket? | Neutral | שִׁשָּׁה שְׁקָלִיםshisha shkalimSix shekels |
| הָאוֹטוֹבּוּס הַזֶּה נוֹסֵעַ לִירוּשָׁלַיִם? | haotobus haze nosea liYerushalayim? | Does this bus go to Jerusalem?Literally: the-bus the-this travels to-Jerusalem?Say the destination clearly and the driver will nod or point. Repeat it if you are unsure. | Neutral | כֵּן, תַּעֲלֶהken, ta'aleYes, get on |
| תַּגִּיד לִי מָתַי לָרֶדֶת, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | tagid li matai laredet, bevakasha | Please tell me when to get offTo a woman: תַּגִּידִי לִי (tagidi li). Drivers and other passengers do this readily. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי יוֹרֵד כָּאן | ani yored kan | I’m getting off hereLiterally: I descending hereA woman says יוֹרֶדֶת (yoredet). Call it towards the driver as you reach the door. | Casual | None |
| עֲצֹר כָּאן, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | atzor kan, bevakasha | Stop here, pleaseFor a woman driver: עִצְרִי (itzri). In a taxi this is the normal way to end the ride. | Neutral | None |
| אֶפְשָׁר לְהַזְמִין מוֹנִית? | efshar lehazmin monit? | Can you order a taxi?Literally: possible to-order taxi?A shared route taxi is a מוֹנִית שֵׁרוּת (monit sherut). It runs a fixed route for a fixed fare. | Neutral | None |
| תַּפְעִיל אֶת הַמּוֹנֶה, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | tafil et hamoneh, bevakasha | Please turn on the meterLiterally: you-will-operate the meter, pleaseAsking for the meter is routine and not rude. For long intercity rides, agree the price before setting off. | Neutral | None |
| מָתַי הָרַכֶּבֶת הַבָּאָה? | matai harakevet haba'a? | When is the next train?Literally: when the-train the-coming? | Neutral | בְּעוֹד עֶשְׂרִים דַּקּוֹתbe'od esrim dakotIn twenty minutes |
| אֵיפֹה הָרַכֶּבֶת הַקַּלָּה? | eifo harakevet hakala? | Where is the light rail?Literally: where the-train the-light?Jerusalem and Tel Aviv both run light rail lines, and locals simply call them harakevet hakala. | Neutral | None |
| אֵיךְ מַגִּיעִים לִשְׂדֵה הַתְּעוּפָה? | eich magi'im lisde hateufa? | How do you get to the airport?Literally: how one-arrives to-field-of the-flight?Ben Gurion Airport has its own station on the main railway line, which is the usual way in and out. | Neutral | None |
| הָאוֹטוֹבּוּסִים נוֹסְעִים בְּשַׁבָּת? | haotobusim nos'im beshabbat? | Do the buses run on Shabbat?Most public transport stops from Friday afternoon to Saturday night. Haifa, some lines in the Tel Aviv area and sherut taxis are exceptions. | Neutral | לֹא, רַק בְּמוֹצָאֵי שַׁבָּתlo, rak bemotza'ei shabbatNo, only after Shabbat ends |
Market and Money
Prices, weights and the polite end of haggling, for the shuk and for the shop on the corner.
In the guides to the City of David, Machane Yehuda Market, Old Jaffa and the Port, Independence Hall, the Ancient Synagogue at Kfar Baram, the Shore of the Sea of Galilee, Masada, the Dead Sea, Timna Valley, Josefov and the Old-New Synagogue, the Synagogue of El Tránsito, Santa María la Blanca and the Mellah and Slat al-Azama.
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning | Tone | Reply you may hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| כַּמָּה זֶה עוֹלֶה? | kama ze oleh? | How much does this cost?Literally: how-much this rises?Hebrew says a price “rises”. The same verb means to go up and to immigrate to Israel. | Neutral | עֶשְׂרִים שֶׁקֶלesrim shekelTwenty shekels |
| זֶה יָקָר מִדַּי | ze yakar miday | That’s too expensiveIn an open-air market this opens a negotiation. In a shop with printed prices it just ends one. | Neutral | None |
| יֵשׁ הַנָּחָה? | yesh hanacha? | Is there a discount?Literally: there-is discount?Haggling is normal in markets like Machane Yehuda or the Old City souk, and out of place in ordinary shops. | Casual | בִּשְׁבִילְךָ, חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂרbishvilcha, chamisha asarFor you, fifteen |
| אֲנִי רַק מִסְתַּכֵּל | ani rak mistakel | I’m just lookingA woman says מִסְתַּכֶּלֶת (mistakelet). Polite and effective when a stallholder starts a pitch. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי אֶקַּח אֶת זֶה | ani ekach et ze | I’ll take thisLiterally: I I-will-take thisThe pronoun plus the future verb is normal speech, even though the verb already carries “I”. | Neutral | None |
| שְׁנַיִם, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | shnayim, bevakasha | Two, pleaseשְׁנַיִם is the masculine two, used for most market goods. Counting out loud on its own, Israelis say shtayim. | Neutral | None |
| חֲצִי קִילוֹ, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | chatzi kilo, bevakasha | Half a kilo, pleaseProduce is sold by the kilo. A quarter kilo is רֶבַע קִילוֹ (reva kilo). | Neutral | None |
| אֶפְשָׁר לִטְעֹם? | efshar lit'om? | May I taste?Literally: possible to-taste?Normal at spice, olive and halva stalls. Vendors often offer before you get the question out. | Casual | None |
| זֶה טָרִי? | ze tari? | Is this fresh? | Neutral | טָרִי מֵהַבֹּקֶרtari mehabokerFresh since this morning |
| אֶפְשָׁר לְשַׁלֵּם בְּכַרְטִיס? | efshar leshalem bekartis? | Can I pay by card?Cards work almost everywhere, but market stalls and small kiosks often want מְזֻמָּן (mezuman), cash. | Neutral | רַק מְזֻמָּןrak mezumanCash only |
| יֵשׁ לְךָ עֹדֶף? | yesh lecha odef? | Do you have change?Literally: there-is to-you change?To a woman: יֵשׁ לָךְ (yesh lach). Small stalls often cannot break a 200-shekel note. | Neutral | None |
| אֶפְשָׁר קַבָּלָה? | efshar kabala? | Can I have a receipt?Ask if you plan to reclaim VAT when you leave Israel. The refund covers only qualifying purchases from licensed shops. | Neutral | None |
| אֵיפֹה הַשּׁוּק? | eifo hashuk? | Where is the market?Machane Yehuda in Jerusalem and the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv are the best known. Both wind down early on Friday. | Neutral | None |
Ordering Food
From the menu to the bill, including the sentences that keep an allergy or a diet from becoming a problem.
In the guides to Old Jaffa and the Port, Neve Tzedek, Tiberias, Masada, the Dead Sea and Timna Valley.
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning | Tone | Reply you may hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| תַּפְרִיט, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | tafrit, bevakasha | The menu, pleaseFor an English one ask: יֵשׁ תַּפְרִיט בְּאַנְגְּלִית? (yesh tafrit beanglit?). | Neutral | None |
| שֻׁלְחָן לִשְׁנַיִם, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | shulchan lishnayim, bevakasha | A table for two, pleaseFor four say לְאַרְבָּעָה (learbaa). Hebrew numbers take a masculine or feminine form to match what they count. | Neutral | None |
| אֶפְשָׁר לְהַזְמִין? | efshar lehazmin? | Can we order?Literally: possible to-order?לְהַזְמִין means both to order and to invite. Context does the work. | Neutral | כֵּן, מַה תִּרְצֶה?ken, ma tirtze?Yes, what would you like? |
| מָה אַתָּה מַמְלִיץ? | ma ata mamlitz? | What do you recommend?To a woman: מָה אַתְּ מַמְלִיצָה (ma at mamlitza). Asking this in a small place is usually rewarded. | Neutral | None |
| מַיִם, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | mayim, bevakasha | Water, pleaseTap water is safe to drink across Israel. Say מַיִם מֵהַבֶּרֶז (mayim mehaberez) if you would rather not buy a bottle. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי צִמְחוֹנִי | ani tzimchoni | I’m vegetarianA woman says צִמְחוֹנִית (tzimchonit). Vegetarian food is easy to find, especially in Tel Aviv. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי טִבְעוֹנִי | ani tivoni | I’m veganA woman says טִבְעוֹנִית (tivonit). Israeli menus often mark vegan dishes with the word טבעוני. | Neutral | None |
| בְּלִי בָּצָל, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | bli batzal, bevakasha | Without onion, pleaseSwap in any ingredient after בְּלִי. Its opposite is עִם (im), with. | Neutral | None |
| זֶה חָרִיף? | ze charif? | Is it spicy?סְחוּג (schug) is the hot Yemenite relish served with many dishes. It usually comes on the side. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי לֹא יָכוֹל לֶאֱכֹל בֹּטְנִים | ani lo yachol le'echol botnim | I can’t eat peanutsA woman says יְכוֹלָה (yechola). Say it before you order, and name the ingredient you must avoid. | Neutral | None |
| זֶה טָעִים מְאֹד | ze ta'im me'od | This is delicious | Casual | בְּתֵאָבוֹןbete'avonEnjoy your meal |
| עוֹד קָפֶה, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | od kafe, bevakasha | Another coffee, pleaseקָפֶה הָפוּךְ (kafe hafuch) is the standard milk coffee. The name means “upside-down coffee”. | Neutral | None |
| לָקַחַת, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | lakachat, bevakasha | To take away, pleaseLiterally: to take, pleaseCounter staff will ask כָּאן אוֹ לָקַחַת? (kan o lakachat?), here or to take. | Casual | None |
| הַחֶשְׁבּוֹן, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | hacheshbon, bevakasha | The bill, pleaseService is usually not included. Around ten to fifteen percent, often in cash, is the common tip. | Neutral | None |
Kashrut Questions
How to ask what is in the food and who supervises the kitchen, without an argument and without assuming.
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning | Tone | Reply you may hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| זֶה כָּשֵׁר? | ze kasher? | Is this kosher?The plainest way to ask. Many Israeli places are kosher, and many, especially in Tel Aviv, are not. | Neutral | כֵּן, יֵשׁ לָנוּ תְּעוּדָהken, yesh lanu te'udaYes, we have a certificate |
| יֵשׁ תְּעוּדַת כַּשְׁרוּת? | yesh te'udat kashrut? | Do you have a kashrut certificate?Literally: there-is certificate-of kashrut?Certificates come from the Chief Rabbinate and from independent kashrut authorities. Standards differ, so it is fair to ask which one. | Neutral | None |
| אֵיזֶה הֶכְשֵׁר יֵשׁ כָּאן? | eize hechsher yesh kan? | Which certification do you have?Literally: which certification there-is here?הֶכְשֵׁר is the certification itself. Israelis who keep different standards ask this of each other routinely. | Neutral | None |
| זֶה בָּשָׂרִי אוֹ חֲלָבִי? | ze basari o chalavi? | Is it meat or dairy?Kosher kitchens keep meat and dairy apart, so a meat restaurant will have no milk for your coffee. | Neutral | None |
| זֶה פַּרְוֶה? | ze parve? | Is it parve?Parve food is neither meat nor dairy: eggs, fish, grains, fruit and vegetables. It can be eaten with either. | Neutral | None |
| יֵשׁ בָּזֶה בָּשָׂר? | yesh baze basar? | Does this contain meat?Literally: there-is in-this meat? | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי שׁוֹמֵר כַּשְׁרוּת | ani shomer kashrut | I keep kosherLiterally: I guarding kashrutA woman says שׁוֹמֶרֶת (shomeret). The verb means to guard, the same one used for keeping Shabbat. | Neutral | None |
| יֵשׁ מִסְעָדָה כְּשֵׁרָה קְרוֹבָה? | yesh misada kshera krova? | Is there a kosher restaurant nearby?כְּשֵׁרָה is feminine here because מִסְעָדָה is a feminine noun. Adjectives follow the noun and match it. | Neutral | None |
| הַמִּטְבָּח כָּשֵׁר? | hamitbach kasher? | Is the kitchen kosher?A place can sell kosher products and still not be certified, because certification also covers how the kitchen is run. | Neutral | None |
| אֶפְשָׁר בְּלִי גְּבִינָה? | efshar bli gvina? | Can I have it without cheese?Useful if the dish is meat and you keep kosher, and useful for anyone avoiding dairy. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי לֹא אוֹכֵל חֲזִיר | ani lo ochel chazir | I don’t eat porkA woman says אוֹכֶלֶת (ochelet). Pork is sold in Israel, sometimes under the name בָּשָׂר לָבָן, white meat. | Neutral | None |
| הַיַּיִן כָּשֵׁר? | hayayin kasher? | Is the wine kosher?Kosher wine carries its own rules about who handles it. Israeli wineries bottle both kosher and non-kosher wine. | Neutral | None |
| יֵשׁ אֹכֶל כָּשֵׁר לְפֶסַח? | yesh ochel kasher lePesach? | Is there food that is kosher for Passover?During Pesach many Israeli shops and hotels put leavened bread away. Ashkenazim also avoid kitniyot, which most Sephardim eat. | Neutral | None |
Where You’re Staying
Checking in, asking for what the room is missing and the small things Israeli hotels do differently.
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning | Tone | Reply you may hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| יֵשׁ לִי הַזְמָנָה | yesh li hazmana | I have a reservationLiterally: there-is to-me reservationHebrew has no verb “to have”. It says “there is to me”, and the same pattern gives yesh lecha, yesh lanu. | Neutral | None |
| יֵשׁ חֶדֶר פָּנוּי? | yesh cheder panuy? | Do you have a room free?Literally: there-is room free? | Neutral | לְכַמָּה לֵילוֹת?lechama leilot?For how many nights? |
| כַּמָּה עוֹלֶה לַיְלָה? | kama oleh laila? | How much is one night? | Neutral | None |
| אֶפְשָׁר עוֹד לַיְלָה? | efshar od laila? | Can I stay another night?Literally: possible another night? | Neutral | None |
| מַה שְׁעַת הַיְצִיאָה? | ma sheat hayetzia? | What time is checkout?Literally: what hour-of the-exit?Ask at the same time whether you can leave your bags afterwards. Most places will keep them for you. | Neutral | None |
| אֶפְשָׁר לְקַבֵּל אֶת הַסִּיסְמָה לָרֶשֶׁת? | efshar lekabel et hasisma lareshet? | Can I have the wifi password?Literally: possible to-receive the password for-the-network?רֶשֶׁת means network. For the connection itself Israelis simply say the English word wifi. | Neutral | None |
| הַמַּזְגָן לֹא עוֹבֵד | hamazgan lo oved | The air conditioner isn’t workingSwap in הַמַּפְתֵּחַ (hamafteach), the key, or הַמִּקְלַחַת (hamiklachat), the shower. | Neutral | אֲנִי שׁוֹלֵחַ מִישֶׁהוּani sholeach mishehuI’ll send someone |
| אֵין מַיִם חַמִּים | ein mayim chamim | There’s no hot waterLiterally: there-is-not water hotIsraeli buildings often heat water in a roof solar tank, a דּוּד שֶׁמֶשׁ (dud shemesh), with an electric switch as backup. | Neutral | None |
| אֶפְשָׁר מַגֶּבֶת נוֹסֶפֶת? | efshar magevet nosefet? | Could I have another towel? | Neutral | None |
| אֶפְשָׁר לְהַשְׁאִיר אֶת הַמִּזְוָדוֹת? | efshar lehashir et hamizvadot? | Can I leave my suitcases here? | Neutral | None |
| אֵיפֹה אֲרוּחַת הַבֹּקֶר? | eifo aruchat haboker? | Where is breakfast?Literally: where meal-of the-morning?Israeli hotel breakfast is a large buffet. In a kosher hotel it is dairy, with fish but no meat. | Neutral | None |
| יֵשׁ מַעֲלִית שַׁבָּת? | yesh maalit shabbat? | Is there a Shabbat lift?A Shabbat lift stops at every floor on its own, so observant guests need not press buttons. Most large Israeli hotels run one. | Neutral | None |
| הַחֶדֶר רוֹעֵשׁ מְאֹד | hacheder roesh me'od | The room is very noisy | Neutral | אֶפְשָׁר לְהַחֲלִיף חֶדֶרefshar lehachalif chederWe can change your room |
Visiting a Synagogue
What to ask at the door, where to sit and how to say the one phrase that shows you were paying attention.
In the guides to the Western Wall, the Jewish Quarter, Old City, the Temple Mount Overlook, the Mount of Olives, Yad Vashem, Tzfat and Its Synagogues, Tiberias, Josefov and the Old-New Synagogue, the Portuguese Synagogue, the Venetian Ghetto, the Eldridge Street Synagogue and the Mellah and Slat al-Azama.
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning | Tone | Reply you may hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| אֵיפֹה בֵּית הַכְּנֶסֶת? | eifo beit haknesset? | Where is the synagogue?Literally: where house-of the-gathering?The name means house of assembly. Ashkenazim often say shul instead, from Yiddish. | Neutral | None |
| אֶפְשָׁר לְהִכָּנֵס? | efshar lehikanes? | May I come in?Literally: possible to-be-entered?Ask at the door rather than walking in during prayers. Most communities welcome a respectful visitor. | Neutral | כֵּן, בְּבַקָּשָׁהken, bevakashaYes, please come in |
| אֶפְשָׁר לְקַבֵּל כִּפָּה? | efshar lekabel kipa? | May I have a kippah?A basket of kippot usually sits by the door. Men and boys cover their heads in almost every synagogue. | Neutral | None |
| אֵיפֹה עֶזְרַת נָשִׁים? | eifo ezrat nashim? | Where is the women’s section?Literally: where court-of women?Orthodox synagogues seat men and women separately, divided by a mechitza. Conservative, Reform and many other communities seat everyone together. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי לֹא יְהוּדִי | ani lo yehudi | I’m not JewishA woman says יְהוּדִיָּה (yehudiya). Saying it plainly is fine, and visitors are usually welcome to sit and listen. | Neutral | None |
| אֶפְשָׁר לְצַלֵּם? | efshar letzalem? | May I take a photograph?Usually fine outside prayer times, and not on Shabbat or festivals, when observant Jews do not use cameras. | Neutral | לֹא בְּשַׁבָּתlo beshabbatNot on Shabbat |
| אֵיפֹה אֶפְשָׁר לָשֶׁבֶת? | eifo efshar lashevet? | Where may I sit?Regulars often keep the same seat for years, so asking first saves an awkward moment. | Neutral | None |
| יֵשׁ סִדּוּר בְּאַנְגְּלִית? | yesh siddur beanglit? | Is there a prayer book in English?A סִדּוּר is the daily prayer book. On the festivals the book used is a מַחֲזוֹר (machzor). | Neutral | None |
| בְּאֵיזֶה עַמּוּד אֲנַחְנוּ? | beeize amud anachnu? | What page are we on?Literally: in-which page we?Ask your neighbour quietly. Many congregations call out pages for exactly this reason. | Casual | None |
| יֵשׁ מִנְיָן הָעֶרֶב? | yesh minyan haerev? | Is there a minyan this evening?A minyan is the quorum for communal prayer: ten adult men in Orthodox practice, ten adults of any gender in egalitarian communities. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי רוֹצֶה לוֹמַר קַדִּישׁ | ani rotze lomar kaddish | I’d like to say KaddishA woman says רוֹצָה (rotza). Kaddish needs a minyan, so tell the gabbai, who runs the service, before it begins. | Neutral | None |
| יִישַׁר כֹּחַ | yishar koach | Well doneLiterally: may your strength be firmSaid to someone who has just read from the Torah or led the prayers. Ashkenazim often pronounce it shkoyach. | Neutral | בָּרוּךְ תִּהְיֶהbaruch tihyeMay you be blessed |
Shabbat and Holidays
The greetings that change with the calendar, and the questions worth asking before Friday afternoon.
In the guides to the Western Wall, the Temple Mount Overlook, Machane Yehuda Market, Yad Vashem, Tzfat and Its Synagogues, Josefov and the Old-New Synagogue, the Venetian Ghetto and the Mellah and Slat al-Azama.
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning | Tone | Reply you may hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| שַׁבָּת שָׁלוֹם | shabbat shalom | Peaceful ShabbatLiterally: Shabbat of peaceUsed from Friday morning until Saturday night, to anyone. Ashkenazim also say gut Shabbes, in Yiddish. | Neutral | שַׁבָּת שָׁלוֹם וּמְבֹרָךְshabbat shalom umevorachA peaceful and blessed Shabbat |
| שָׁבוּעַ טוֹב | shavua tov | Have a good weekLiterally: week goodSaid once Shabbat has ended on Saturday night, and through Sunday, which is a working day in Israel. | Neutral | שָׁבוּעַ טוֹבshavua tovA good week to you too |
| מָתַי נִכְנֶסֶת הַשַּׁבָּת? | matai nichneset hashabbat? | When does Shabbat begin?Literally: when enters the-Shabbat?Shabbat begins about eighteen minutes before sunset on Friday. In Jerusalem the custom is forty minutes before. | Neutral | None |
| מָתַי צֵאת הַשַּׁבָּת? | matai tzet hashabbat? | When does Shabbat end?Literally: when going-out-of the-Shabbat?It ends on Saturday night when three stars are visible. Communities differ by roughly half an hour on the exact time. | Neutral | None |
| הַכֹּל סָגוּר בְּשַׁבָּת? | hakol sagur beshabbat? | Is everything closed on Shabbat?Most shops close from Friday afternoon. Tel Aviv, Haifa and Arab towns stay much busier, and Jerusalem goes very quiet. | Neutral | רֹב הַמְּקוֹמוֹת סְגוּרִיםrov hamekomot sgurimMost places are closed |
| אֲנִי שׁוֹמֵר שַׁבָּת | ani shomer shabbat | I keep ShabbatLiterally: I guarding ShabbatA woman says שׁוֹמֶרֶת (shomeret). It explains, without a speech, why you may decline a car, a phone or a payment. | Neutral | None |
| מָתַי מַדְלִיקִים נֵרוֹת? | matai madlikim nerot? | When do we light candles?Literally: when one-lights candles?Shabbat candles are lit before sunset on Friday, most often by a woman of the household, though anyone may light them. | Neutral | None |
| חַג שָׂמֵחַ | chag sameach | Happy holidayLiterally: festival joyfulThe all-purpose festival greeting. It serves for Pesach, Sukkot, Shavuot and Chanukah alike. | Neutral | חַג שָׂמֵחַchag sameachHappy holiday to you too |
| שָׁנָה טוֹבָה | shana tova | A good yearLiterally: year goodFor Rosh Hashanah, in the autumn. The fuller form is שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה, a good and sweet year. | Neutral | שָׁנָה טוֹבָהshana tovaA good year to you too |
| גְּמַר חֲתִימָה טוֹבָה | gmar chatima tova | May you be sealed for goodLiterally: a final good sealingSaid between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It draws on the image of names being written and then sealed in a book. | Formal | None |
| צוֹם קַל | tzom kal | Have an easy fastLiterally: fast easySaid before Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av. Some prefer צוֹם מוֹעִיל, a beneficial fast, since the day is not meant to be easy. | Neutral | None |
| מוֹעֲדִים לְשִׂמְחָה | mo'adim lesimcha | Festivals for joyLiterally: appointed-times for joyUsed on the intermediate days of Pesach and Sukkot. It has a set reply, which is worth having ready. | Formal | חַגִּים וּזְמַנִּים לְשָׂשׂוֹןchagim uzmanim lesasonFestivals and seasons for gladness |
| חַג אוּרִים שָׂמֵחַ | chag urim sameach | Happy ChanukahLiterally: festival of lights joyfulChanukah is also called the Festival of Lights. Candles are lit after dark, one more on each of the eight nights. | Neutral | None |
Trouble and Emergencies
Short sentences for the moments when you need to be understood immediately, plus the numbers to call.
In the guides to Masada and the Dead Sea.
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning | Tone | Reply you may hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| הַצִּילוּ! | hatzilu! | Help!Literally: rescue (you plural)!A shout for rescue, not for everyday assistance. Emergency numbers in Israel: police 100, ambulance 101, fire 102. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי צָרִיךְ עֶזְרָה | ani tzarich ezra | I need helpA woman says צְרִיכָה (tzricha). This is the phrase for a problem that is serious but not an emergency. | Neutral | None |
| תַּעֲזֹר לִי, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | taazor li, bevakasha | Please help meTo a woman: תַּעַזְרִי לִי (ta’azri li). Israelis tend to step in quickly when asked directly. | Neutral | None |
| תִּתְקַשֵּׁר לַמִּשְׁטָרָה | titkasher lamishtara | Call the policeTo a woman: תִּתְקַשְּׁרִי (titkashri). The police number is 100 and works from any phone. | Neutral | None |
| צָרִיךְ אַמְבּוּלַנְס | tzarich ambulans | We need an ambulanceLiterally: needed ambulanceThe ambulance number is 101, run by Magen David Adom. Give the address first, then say what happened. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי צָרִיךְ רוֹפֵא | ani tzarich rofe | I need a doctorA woman says צְרִיכָה (tzricha). Travel insurance matters here, since care is not free for visitors. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי לֹא מַרְגִּישׁ טוֹב | ani lo margish tov | I don’t feel wellA woman says מַרְגִּישָׁה (margisha). For something stronger say אֲנִי חוֹלֶה or חוֹלָה, I am ill. | Neutral | None |
| כּוֹאֵב לִי כָּאן | koev li kan | It hurts hereLiterally: it-hurts to-me herePoint as you say it. Hebrew makes the pain the subject: it hurts to me. | Neutral | מָתַי זֶה הִתְחִיל?matai ze hitchil?When did it start? |
| אֵיפֹה בֵּית הַחוֹלִים? | eifo beit hacholim? | Where is the hospital?Literally: where house-of the-sick? | Neutral | None |
| אֵיפֹה בֵּית מִרְקַחַת? | eifo beit mirkachat? | Where is a pharmacy?Literally: where house-of compounding?Signs read בֵּית מִרְקַחַת. Pharmacies take turns covering nights and Shabbat, so ask which one is on duty. | Neutral | None |
| גָּנְבוּ לִי אֶת הָאַרְנָק | ganvu li et haarnak | My wallet has been stolenLiterally: they-stole to-me the walletHebrew uses an unnamed “they” where English uses the passive. Swap in הַטֶּלֶפוֹן for the phone. | Neutral | None |
| אִבַּדְתִּי אֶת הַדַּרְכּוֹן שֶׁלִּי | ibadti et hadarkon sheli | I’ve lost my passportReport it to the police, then to your embassy. A police station is a תַּחֲנַת מִשְׁטָרָה (tachanat mishtara). | Neutral | None |
| תִּתְקַשֵּׁר לַשַּׁגְרִירוּת שֶׁלִּי | titkasher lashagrirut sheli | Call my embassyMost embassies sit in the Tel Aviv area, with some consulates in Jerusalem and Haifa. | Neutral | None |
| תַּעֲזֹב אוֹתִי! | taazov oti! | Leave me alone!To a woman: תַּעַזְבִי אוֹתִי (ta’azvi oti). Say it loudly. Being direct here is understood, not rude. | Casual | None |
Talking to People
Israelis will ask where you are from within a minute. These are the answers, and the ways to slow them down.
In the guides to Old Jaffa and the Port, Neve Tzedek, Independence Hall, the Synagogue of El Tránsito and the Eldridge Street Synagogue.
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning | Tone | Reply you may hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| מֵאֵיפֹה אַתָּה? | me'eifo ata? | Where are you from?Literally: from-where you?To a woman: מֵאֵיפֹה אַתְּ (me’eifo at). This is the first question most Israelis ask a visitor. | Casual | אֲנִי מִכָּאןani mikanI’m from here |
| אֲנִי מֵאַרְצוֹת הַבְּרִית | ani me'artzot habrit | I’m from the United StatesLiterally: I from the-lands-of the-covenantSwap in your own country. Expect a follow-up about where your family came from before that. | Neutral | None |
| אַתָּה יָכוֹל לְדַבֵּר לְאַט? | ata yachol ledaber leat? | Can you speak slowly?To a woman: אַתְּ יְכוֹלָה (at yechola). Israelis speak fast out of habit, not impatience, and will slow down if asked. | Neutral | כֵּן, סְלִיחָהken, slichaYes, sorry |
| עוֹד פַּעַם, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | od paam, bevakasha | Again, pleaseLiterally: another time, pleaseShort and unmistakable. שׁוּב (shuv) means the same and sounds slightly more formal. | Neutral | None |
| לֹא הֵבַנְתִּי | lo hevanti | I didn’t understandThe past tense is the natural choice for one sentence you missed, and it is identical for men and women. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי לֹא מֵבִין | ani lo mevin | I don’t understandA woman says מְבִינָה (mevina). Use the present for a general state, the past for one lost sentence. | Neutral | None |
| מַה זֶה אוֹמֵר? | ma ze omer? | What does that mean?Literally: what this says? | Casual | None |
| אֵיךְ אוֹמְרִים אֶת זֶה בְּעִבְרִית? | eich omrim et ze be'ivrit? | How do you say this in Hebrew?Literally: how they-say this in-Hebrew?The impersonal אוֹמְרִים, they say, is how Hebrew handles “how do you say”. Point as you ask. | Neutral | None |
| אֲנִי לוֹמֵד עִבְרִית | ani lomed ivrit | I’m learning HebrewA woman says לוֹמֶדֶת (lomedet). Expect encouragement, and expect people to answer in English anyway. | Neutral | כָּל הַכָּבוֹד!kol hakavod!Well done! |
| אֲנִי כָּאן לְשָׁבוּעַ | ani kan leshavua | I’m here for a weekFor two weeks say לִשְׁבוּעַיִם (lishvu’ayim). For a month, לְחֹדֶשׁ (lechodesh). | Neutral | None |
| זֶה הַבִּקּוּר הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁלִּי בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל | ze habikur harishon sheli beYisrael | This is my first visit to IsraelA reliable opener. Be ready for recommendations, and for someone to insist you visit their own city. | Neutral | None |
| יֵשׁ לְךָ הַמְלָצָה? | yesh lecha hamlatza? | Do you have a recommendation?Literally: there-is to-you recommendation?To a woman: יֵשׁ לָךְ (yesh lach). A shopkeeper or a driver usually beats a guidebook. | Casual | None |
| תִּכְתֹּב לִי אֶת זֶה, בְּבַקָּשָׁה | tichtov li et ze, bevakasha | Please write it down for meTo a woman: תִּכְתְּבִי (tichtevi). Useful for an address, a bus number or a name you need to show later. | Neutral | None |
| יוֹם נָעִים! | yom na'im! | Have a nice day!Literally: day pleasant!A friendly sign-off, common in shops. יוֹם טוֹב also means a festival day, so this one is safer. | Neutral | None |
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