Streetwise Hebrew

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...

Hebrew provides plenty of ways to wish someone well, and they all depend on the severity of the illness. So what should we say to someone with a cold? How about the flu? Pneumonia? This winter, Guy provides a linguistic toolkit for all you well-wishers to use in almost any circumstance. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode https://tlv1.fm/happy6 Bassa ep. 108 Tihye Bari ep. 3 Polish Mo...

Get the special course and at a special price by visiting https://tlv1.fm/happy6 The podcast recently celebrated its 6th birthday. And as part of our celebrations, Guy asked Ruben Adery to put together a special introductory online course for Streetwise Hebrew listeners. The course goes through the most mispronounced sounds in Hebrew. It combines explanatory videos with longer practice videos and...

The Hebrew word פיצוץ (pitsuts) means explosion but is also used in the same fashion as the English phrase, "a blast," meaning incredible or highly entertaining. And did you know that our neighborhood corner store is called a פיצוצייה (pitsutsiya)? Today, Guy covers the root פ.צ.צ, which is the foundation for many slang words and phrases to say things like, "I'm loaded with money" or "this cafe is...

What does an Israeli judo champion mean when she says, האש כבתה לגמרי ("ha-esh kavta legamrei")? And how do you tell a technician that your laptop keeps dying on you? In Hebrew, לכבות ("lechabot") means to extinguish and to turn off. So please turn off all cell phones and listen as Guy explains all things כ.ב.ה. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Lechabot...

How do you say "buzz off" or "beat it" in Hebrew? And how might it relate to paying off your mortgage? Guy explains. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Lesalek - To remove, get rid of, expel - לסלק Lesalek et kol ha-regashot ha-meyutarim - To remove all unnecessary feelings - לסלק את כל הרגשות המיותרים Lesalek metachim - To get rid of tension - לסלק מתחים...

Israelis need everything here and now, immediately. Preferably yesterday. That's why the Hebrew word זריז (zariz), quick or quickly, is constantly in use. This episode is a crash course (קורס מזורז) on the root ז.ר.ז. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Zariz - Speedy, quick - זריז Kaduri zariz mahir - My ball is quick and fast - כדורי זריז מהיר Kinu'ach s...

In Hebrew, גנב (ganav) is a thief. Perhaps you already know its Yiddish pronunciation, ganef (גאַנעוו). But there are other, more exciting words that belong to the Hebrew root גנב, including several slang uses. Guy explains. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Ganav - Thief - גנב Ganef - Thief (Yiddish) - גאַנעוו Lignov - To steal - לגנוב Ganav sidrati - S...

The Hebrew words סביב (saviv), סביבה (sviva), מסביב (misaviv), סבב (sevev), all come from the ס.ב.ב root. They also come in very handy in spoken Hebrew. So today, Guy explains the many words and phrases that stem from this interesting root. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Saviv – Around – סביב Tistakel kama lirdim mi-saviv – See how many hot guys there are aroun...

We all deserve to receive good customer service and to be treated with respect. But let's be real – that's not always the case. The Hebrew word יחס means treatment, attention and service, while the plural יחסים means relations. There's lots to cover so pay close attention as Guy explains. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Tni li ktsat yachas cham, po va-...

"You decide." "No you decide." "No no, you decide!" So many decisions to make. On this episode, Guy talks about Hebrew words and phrases related to decision-making. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Lehachlit - To decide - להחליט Ze ha-zman lehachlit - This is the time to make a decision - זה הזמן להחליט Hu hichlit - He decided - הוא החליט Tsahal hichlit...

What Hebrew words and phrases can we use to disagree with someone? Which can be written in a reply online but not said to someone face to face? And which can be said but not written, and what intonation will give that extra oomph? On this episode, Guy goes over how to disagree with someone in written and spoken Hebrew. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: M...

Sometimes people offer us things that we simply don't want. Telemarketing? No thanks. A leaflet about a new yoga studio around the corner? No thank you. What about an offering of a slice of cheesecake baked by your friend when you're on a diet? How do we decline an offer (politely or impolitely) in Hebrew? On this episode, Guy supplies you with a toolkit for those moments when you need to decline...

This week we celebrate our podcast's sixth anniversary. Can you believe it? Six years, שש שנים. It's a good excuse to talk about שש, six, and its family of Hebrew words. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Kvish shesh - Highway six - כביש שש Kvish hotse Israel - Cross Israel highway - כביש חוצה ישראל Kav shesh - Bus no. 6 - קו שש Hayinu shisha - We were si...

How would we say, "you really scared me," in Hebrew? How about a horror film? A coward? This week, Guy doesn't share his deepest fears but rather explains the Hebrew root פחד and its many words and phrases. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Mafchid - Scary - מפחיד Ze ma-ze mafchid - It's really scary - זה מה-זה מפחיד Ze haya ma-ze mafchid - It was really...

So you're on summer holiday. Do you stay at a hotel or go for a house swap? Will you exchange currency? Who is filling in for you at work while you're gone? The Hebrew root חלפ is the focus of this week's episode. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Lehachlif - To exchange, to replace, to swap - להחליף Atsa, atsot - Seaweed - אצה, אצות Ha-atsa yechola leha...

There are times in life when we are left disappointed ( me'uchzavim ) and it would be helpful to know how to express this disappointment in Hebrew. On this episode, Guy covers this special four letter root אכזב and checks Twitter to see what disappoints Israelis the most. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Achzava - Disappointment - אכזבה Le'achzev misheh...

Ok, so you know how to order schnitzel in an Israeli restaurant. But what about asking for an extra plate? For a non-spicy dish? Extra parsley? Or maybe you need to notify the kitchen of a food allergy. This is serious stuff. Guy delivers the #Hebrew language goods on this week's episode. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Efshar od petrozilia vaksha? - C...

The word revach רווח means profit, gain, benefit, and a few other things. You'll benefit greatly from learning the root רוח, we promise. Learn phrases like "chill on the sofa," "beware of the gap," and "make sure to leave a margin of safety." Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Revah - Profit, gain, space - רווח La'asot revahim - To make a profit - לעשות ר...