Streetwise Hebrew

Some say kissing is a universal language. "What makes a good kisser?" certainly begs an answer from teens in all parts of the world. But what about giving passionate French smooches or just a peck in Hebrew? Guy divulges the details. Words and expressions discussed : Matai nitnashek? – When will we kiss? – ?מתי נתנשק Lehitnashek – To kiss – להתנשק Lehitkalech – To shower – להתקלח Lehitlabesh – To...

Let's face it; you don't want to watch that movie your friends are going to see. So how do you say so without a blunt 'no'? The word פחות in Hebrew means "less", "minus" and a few other things. Guy explains how to use פחות in conversations when you want to let someone down easily. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Pahot – Less – פחות Pahot aval od Koev – Less, but...

How do we say "I told you so" in Hebrew? And "Who said?" or "You don't say!" In this episode, host Guy Sharett teaches these useful expressions and more for, well, talking about what people say. They all stem from the root 'amar,' meaning 'he said.' What say you, Guy? Words and expressions discussed : A mar – He said – אמר Amarta – You (m.) said – אמרתָ Amart – You (f.) said – אמרתְ Ma she-ne'emar...

The most talked about video in Israel right now is of an Israeli Arab teacher singing a catchy Hebrew lesson to her students. Why did the video become so viral? Guy explains the civic discourse surrounding the famed tune and why this teacher is not alone in pronunciation blunders.  Words and expressions discussed : Geshem Geshem Metaftef – Rain, rain pouring down– גשם גשם מטפטף Eizé kef – How fun...

Why do we say 'Ani holech habaita', I am going home, in Hebrew? What exactly is the funny ending 'habai- ta, ' if the word 'bayit' means home? Host Guy Sharett has returned home! On this episode, he explains 'habaita' and how to use it. Words and expressions discussed : Lahzor habaita – To come back home – לחזור הביתה Haya mamash keif lifgosh etchem – I t was great meeting you – היה ממש כיף לפגוש...

If you have ever been to Israel, surely you have heard 'ta'amin li', believe me, used by virtually every salesmen who confidently declares that their offered price is the best in the world. The root of the word can be expressed in a plethora of ways, so host Guy Sharett teaches us how. You better believe that Britney makes an appearance. Words and expressions discussed : Ma'azinim yekarim sheli –...

We have all had conversations with Israelis bereft of the common courtesies - thank you, please, or polite excuses. On this episode, host Guy Sharett explains exactly what is going on in the Israeli brain when answering our offers or questions in what seems to be curt, abrupt, and even rude ways. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Nimus – Politeness – נימוס Sicha m...

So you're in Israel. You're chatting away with someone, and then they stop you mid-sentence. Surprise, surprise. How do you tell someone to "wait a minute" or "hold on a second?" Today host Guy Sharett talks about one of the most popular words in Hebrew, rega, moment, but also "just a moment". Words and expressions discussed : Rega, rega'im – Moment/s – רגע, רגעים Rega, nahag – Just a sec., driver...

Laredet, to go down, is the opposite of La'alot, to go up. But the root ירד has so many other meanings. We use it to talk about the rain, internet downloads, mocking our friends, taking shots of alcohol, and more raunchy terms you should definitely know - which is why this episode isn't suitable for younger listeners. Sorry kids!         Words and expressions discussed : Laredet – To go down – לרד...

This week we're celebrating 1 million downloads - can you believe it? Let's celebrate together! In Hebrew of course, and talk about the root 'hagag,' חגג, and how we use it. By the way, the cake tasted amazing.     Words and expressions discussed : Anachnu hogegim – We are celebrating – אנחנו חוגגים Lahgog mashehu – To celebrate something – לחגוג משהו Hogegim yomuledet le-mishehu – Celebrating bir...

The word נעים means pleasant, or nice. Let's learn all about pleasantness – Guy teaches us sentences with this word that has had a long and successful career, along with Hebrew names related to its root. Oh, and how do you greet someone who just got a haircut in Arabic? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Naim – Pleasant, fine – נעים Mezeg avir naim – Nice weather –...

Kacha ze, ein ma la'asot, "This is the way it is, there's nothing you can do about it", is something you hear a lot in Israel. Today we learn how to use it, and other expressions using the verb la'asot, to do. Make sure you listen well! The episode is short and sweet. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Ma La'asot – What can you do? – מה לעשות Ein ma la'asot, kacha...

So you just saw the coolest concert, and then your friend made you the best soup you've ever tasted. The next day you saw the most wonderful film. It's all so fantastic that you want to yell, this is f****** amazing! Sometimes you just need to tell the world. But how do you do it in Hebrew? For starters, use Guy's toolkit of 'intensifiers.' Hear the All-Hebrew Version on Patreon   New Words and Ex...

If someone pours milk into your tea or coffee in Hebrew, you need to know how to ask for a bit more, a tiny bit more, a pinch more, okay that's it. Guy teaches us to use 'tipa,' a drop, and its diminutives for when you need just a tiny bit more milk, ask someone to have a little patience, or even when someone needs help parking the car. Exclusive content for Patrons Words and expressions discussed...

Irony, cynicism, and sarcasm are expressed in all languages, but can sometimes be difficult to learn. How do we say phrases like 'yeah right', 'as if' or 'duh' in Hebrew with friends? Listen to host Guy Sharett explain ways to express these linguistic styles, and even what hand expressions you need to sneer like a smart-alecky teenager.   Words and expressions discussed : Kibalta matana la-chag? -...

While shopping about in Israel, have you ever asked for a discount, הנחה in Hebrew? On this episode, Guy talks about navigating all kinds of shopping interactions, like bargaining your way through a sale and understanding special promotions. Don't miss the hilarious parody of a quintessential Israeli commercial at the end of the episode. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expre...

Today Guy talks about word eizé, "what a," a word we frequently use in various contexts. How do we use it, and what happens when we add it to mashehu, "something," or mishehu, "someone"? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Eizo mis'ada – What a restaurant – איזו מסעדה Eize mis'ada (coll.) / Ssssé mis'ada – What a restaurant – איזה מסעדה Eize basa – What a bummer – א...

  How do you say words like download, upload, link and password? Although they may seem technical, Hebrew techie terms are crucial to know in this day and age. On this week's episode, Guy teaches the words you need to know when surfing the web. Any guesses of how to say " to google " in Hebrew? Exclusive content for Patrons   Words and expressions discussed : Tikanes – Get in – תיכנס Tikanes le- –...

Now that the holidays are behind us, you will likely get asked 'eich haya,' or 'how was it?' Whether your chagim were fabulous, same ol', or just plain rotten, host Guy Sharett gives you 10 expressions to respond with. He even describes how to use 'pach,' the literal word for trash can. Happy small talking!   Exclusive content for Patrons   New words & expressions: 1. Madhim – Amazing – מדהים 2. A...

Repeat the mantra: I will become a fluent Hebrew speaker. But how do we say 'become' in Hebrew? 'Nihya,' which  is passive of Hebrew verb ' lihyot,'  or 'to be.' TLV1's language Jedi Guy Sharett explains.    Exclusive content for Patrons   New words & expressions: Pitom nihya kayits – Suddenly it became summer – פתאום נהיה קיץ Nihya – It has become – נהיה Ma nihya (niya)? – What's going on? – ?מה...

'Fashla' and 'fadiha,' originally Arabic words, are used by Israelis to talk about embarrassing or awkward moments. Host Guy Sharett tells us not only how to avoid awful mess-ups, but also how to fry up the roots of these words in a sizzling Hebrew verb pan. They get juicy - want a bite? Exclusive content for Patrons   New words & expressions: Efshar lishol ma ata ose kan? – May I ask what are you...

Israelis love  WhatsApp groups. It's how journalists receive the latest news updates, it's how sports teams arrange lifts for upcoming matches, it's how school parents communicate about homework, and, of course, it's how friends plan their weekend get-together. So this week, host Guy Sharett explains how Israelis communicate in WhatsApp groups. We use a special brand of concise, efficient Hebrew t...

The letter "resh" (ר) is one of the most difficult ones to pronounce when you start learning Hebrew, and it can continue to plague you even when you become quite fluent. How did Israelis come to pronounce the letter "r" like this, how do we produce the sound, and is it the "resh" our forefathers had in mind? Today host Guy Sharett answers all these questions and more, with tips, tongue-twisters an...

One of the first words Israeli children learn is "kacha" - "like this" - especially when they keep asking "lama?" - "why?" - and their parents don't have the strength to answer. You may even have been told "kacha" by your Hebrew teacher when you asked too many grammar questions. Today host Guy Sharett answers all your questions about "kacha," and gives some examples of how it pops up in Israeli sl...

"Hu ta'an" means "he loaded" or "charged," like charging a phone. But it can also mean "he claimed" or "complained." If you want to avoid panic-inducing low battery when you're in Israel, you'd better learn how to talk about charging your phone in Hebrew. Host Guy Sharett takes us through the root - .ט.ע.נ - from which we also get baggage, loaded questions and much more. Exclusive content for Patr...