Streetwise Hebrew

In this episode, Guy covers the different words and meanings derived from the root ק.ר.א, like how to say, "Call an ambulance", "Let's call a spade a spade," and perhaps most useful sentence of all, "Let me read to you the text he sent me." He'll also introduce you to the girl who currently holds the record for the youngest, most prolific reader of the city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Listen to the All-Heb...

In Hebrew, נחמה (nechama) means consolation, comfort. It's also a woman's first name. The difference comes down to pronunciation. Today Guy explains how to give your condolences and how to jokingly comfort a friend who was delivered a cold pizza. Bonus: How do we say "Misery loves company"? How about comfort food? LISTEN TO THE ALL-HEBREW VERSION OF THIS EPISODE   New Words and Expressions: Ko zku...

For the first time in its history, the Eurovision Song Contest was cancelled. But hopefully only this year. Many other events, both global and local, were also cancelled, all because the Coronavirus. How do we say "to cancel" in Hebrew, in the present? How about in the past? And what army radio comm talk breached the divide and made its way to civilian slang? Guy explains the root ב.ט.ל. Listen to...

Join us in celebrating our 300th episode with the best פספוסים ( fisfusim ), bloopers, by Hebrew learners from around the world. Learning Hebrew can be difficult. And we Israelis, who often swallow certain letters when we speak or don't pronounce our words clearly, sure don't make it any easier. So as a student trying to understand and speak the language, you're bound to make mistakes. And that's...

When job hunting, the Hebrew word דרושים, wanted, is what you'll find written on job ads. Guy also talks about a slang term that, well, doesn't hold anything back. A real hitter, one could say.   Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of This Episode   New Words and Expressions: Ha'am doresh tsedek hevrati – The people (sg.) demands social justice – העם דורש צדק חברתי Lidrosh mashehu mi-mishehu – Demand...

The Hebrew word גבול means border, boundary, and limit. Its root provides us words like restrictions, limitations, and disabilities. So how would we say, "this offer is available for a limited time only"? Guy explains. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of This Episode   New Words and Expressions: Gvul (m.) (pl. gvulot) – Border, boundary, frontier, limit – גבול, גבולות Gvulot be-beit ha-sefer – Bou...

Using pronouns in conversation is easy when speaking our mother tongue. But in Hebrew, it might be more difficult. In this episode, Guy explains the mechanism of Hebrew pronouns which, in turn, will help you sound more natural and casual. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of This Episode   New Words and Expressions: Lama ze magi'a lanu? – Why do we deserve it? – למה זה מגיע לנו? Ze magi'a le-misheh...

In Hebrew, תרגיל means an exercise. This episode includes many תרגילים, of all kinds. Guy also explains the difference between לְ and לַ. And as a bonus: a song in Ladino, the language of the Spanish Jews.   Send Guy your audio message guy@tlv1.fm   Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Targil – Exercise – תרגיל Targilei neshima – Breathing exercises – תרגיל...

'Eich omrim be-ivrit?' means 'how do you say in Hebrew?'. Today Guy explains the impersonal in Hebrew. What linguistic tools do we have to say generic things about everybody and anyone?   Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of This Episode   New Words and Expressions: Guf stami – The Impersonal (gramm.) – גוף סתמי Matchilim me-chadash – Starting anew – מתחילים מחדש Lo ichpat li – I don't care – לא אכ...

This is the second episode on the Hebrew word מלא (malé), meaning full. Derived from מלא is the slang word מלאנתלפים (malantalafim). What does it mean and how do we say "a stuffed eggplant"? Guy gives a full explanation.   Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of This Episode   New Words and Expressions: "Shesh-esré mal'u la-na'ar" – The boy has reached the age of 16 – שש עשרה מלאו לנער Mal'u + le-mish...

In Hebrew, מלא (malé) means full, just like how we feel after eating too many french fries. So what does the phrase מודה בפה מלא, literally, I admit with a full mouth, mean?   On this episode, Guy explains the root מ.ל.א   Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions:   Malé, mele'ah – Full – מלא, מלאה   "Ani zocher be-leilot shel yare'ach malé" – I remember, on ful...

What are your plans for the weekend? What are your plans for next year? Planning anything? Was this planned? Hey, any plans? On this episode, Guy explains the Hebrew root ת.כ.נ and how to say that something was unplanned.   Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Ten li koach – Give me strength – תן לי כוח Tochnit – Program, plan – תוכנית "Ha-sha'a shmone, ein...

The Hebrew word כוח means power, strength, or energy. Other than the frequently used saying, אין לי כוח, there are other words and expressions that we must cover, like "super powers," "evil forces" and "gravity." Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Ten li koach – Give me strength – תן לי כוח Yesh bi od koach – I still have strength – יש בי עוד כוח Ein li koa...

How do we say the words contagious and  infect in Hebrew, and how are they related to the Hebrew word for glue ? Bonus: We'll learn how to say sticky rice ! Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Devek - Glue - דבק Hu nidbak be-Corona - He was infected with Corona - הוא נדבק בקורונה Yesh sham nidbakim - There are infected people there - יש שם נדבקים Ha-im nitan...

The מדחום (thermometer) could be our best friend or worst nightmare. For some, it determines whether they can go out or must stay quarantined. So on this episode Guy covers the Hebrew words and phrases you need to know about למדוד חום, to take one's temperature, and other useful idioms during these crazy days of Corona. Stay safe! Listen to The Promised Podcast Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of...

The Hebrew word בידוד, quarantine, will likely be the word of the year. So it's appropriate that Guy discusses its root, ב.ד.ד, and covers some of the Hebrew words derived from it, like isolation, insulation and solitude. Ruben's Pronunciation Course: https://tlv1.fm/happy6 Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Ani be-bidud ba-bayit - I am in quarantine at hom...

What does it mean when an Israeli says, זרום איתי (zrom iti), flow with me? And what is זרם הגולף ? Guy goes with the flow and explains it all. Ruben's Pronunciation Course: https://tlv1.fm/happy6 Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Lizrom - To flow - לזרום "Hashmal Zorem Be-chapot yadeicha" - Electricity flows in your hands - חשמל זורם בכפות ידיך "Taamin...

What's לקנפג ( lecanfeg ) in Hebrew? What's לסמס ( lesames )? And what do we Israelis mean when we ask you to give us your 'mail'? Guy explains what happens to foreign words when they start feeling comfortable in their new Israeli home. Ruben's Pronunciation Course: https://tlv1.fm/happy6   Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Homo'im - Gays - הומואים Ha-ho...

Slang usage of the word קרוע ( ka'rua ), literally meaning 'torn', is fascinating because when someone says it about themselves, it means one thing, and when the same is said about them behind their back, it means something completely different. Guy explains. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Kara - He tore - קרע Kara - He read - קרא "Bachur ehad kara et s...

Guy demonstrates how to use 4 valuable online tools he thinks every Hebrew learner should know. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   Tools & Examples: Morfix Example: Yishte, he will drink Reverso Example: Sirton, film/footage Somebody posted some old footage of me from the '80s on YouTube - מישהו העלה ליוטיוב סרטון ישן שלי משנות השמונים Sirton avtacha - Security footage - סרטון אבטח...

Ordering falafel in Israel may seem simple. But when learning Hebrew, the many different options and the barrage of short and direct questions from the seller could make the whole experience a bit stressful. On this episode, Guy explains how to keep calm through the mayhem of an Israeli falafel stand at lunch time. Ruben's Pronunciation Course: https://tlv1.fm/happy6 Listen to the All-Hebrew Versi...

Many podcast listeners have written to ask, "How can I improve my Hebrew?" Some live in Israel. Others, abroad. But each has their individual linguistic needs on which they need to focus. So on this episode, Guy provides 7 tips that will help anyone, from those highly proficient to those just getting started, improve their spoken Hebrew.   Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   Tip #1:...

The Hebrew word הרי (h arei) is a tiny elusive word used to emphasize the words that follow it. Listen to the examples Guy prepared to help explain this somewhat fancy word. Ruben's Pronunciation Course: https://tlv1.fm/happy6   Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Ata harei yode'a - You surely know - אתה הרי יודע Harei lama hem asu et ze - Well, you know w...

It's winter time for us in the northern hemisphere. It is also the time we start over-using the Hebrew word קר (cold) because, for us Israelis, 14-17 degrees celsius (57-63 degrees fahrenheit) is considered cold. To get us ready for cooler temperatures, Guy prepared warm-up exercises consisting of words and phrases from the root ק.ר.ר that cover all things chill, cooling and our beloved refrigerat...

The Hebrew word סיפור (sipur) means a story. Though in certain situations סיפור could also mean a matter, a thing, or a mess. The root ס.פ.ר acts a bit funny in some of its verb formats. No need to worry because on this episode Guy explains it all. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode https://tlv1.fm/happy6 New Words and Expressions: Ze haya sipur shel horef - It was a winter (love) st...