Streetwise Hebrew

Full service or self service? Diesel or regular? When pulling up to the pump, what Hebrew words and phrases do you need in order to successfully navigate an Israeli gas station? On this episode, Guy tops off the linguistic tank. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Tahanat delek - Gas station - תחנת דלק Otsrim letadlek - Stopping to refuel - עוצרים לתדלק Letadlek - To refuel the car - לתדלק Hayav/hayevet rega la’atsor letadlek - I must stop for a sec to refuel - חייב/חייבת רגע לעצור לתדלק Lemale delek - To fill up gas - למלא דלק Ha-oto metudlak - The car is refueled - האוטו מתודלק Sherut male - Full service - שירות מלא Sherut atsmi - Self service - שירות עצמי Kartis ashrai - Credit card - כרטיס אשראי Sherut male be-mehir namuch mi-sherut atsmi - Full service at a lower price than that of self service - שירות מלא במחיר נמוך משירות עצמי Sug ha-delek - The kind of fuel - סוג הדלק Diesel o ragil? - Diesel or regular? - דיזל או רגיל Male - Full - מלא Meichal male - Full tan

The Hamsa symbol, a hand with five fingers, is believed to bring good luck and keep away the evil eye. In Arabic, hamsa is the number five, which just happens to be the number of years we've been making our Streetwise Hebrew podcast! We celebrate this grand occasion with a special episode on all things hamesh (חמש). Pssstttt... have a listen to how you too can keep away the evil eye! Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Yomuledet hamesh - 5th birthday - יומולדת חמש Hamesh shanim - Five years - חמש שנים Shana, shanim - Year, years - שנה, שנים Hamisha gvarim ve-isha - “Five men and a woman” - חמישה גברים ואישה Hameshet ha-rochvim - The five riders - חמשת הרוכבים Hameshet ha-gvarim - The five men - חמשת הגברים Hameshet ha-hushim - The five senses - חמשת החושים Hamisha kilogramim/kilo - Five kg. - חמישה קילוגרמים, חמישה קילו “Hamesh kilo” - Five kg. (slang) - “חמש קילו” Hamisha shkalim (“Hamesh shekel” in slang) - 5 shekel - חמישה שקלים (חמש שקל, סלנג) Pi hamisha (“pi hamesh

What do we mean when we say hu af al atsmo (הוא עף על עצמו), he flies on himself? How about oof li me-ha-einayim (עוף לי מהעיניים), fly off my eyes? On this episode, Guy explains all things la’oof, to fly. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Ani af elayich - I am flying to you - אני עף אלייך Oof, oof beteruf - Fly, fly, insanely - עוף, עוף בטירוף Oof, oofi, oofoo - Fly! (Imp., m., f., pl.) - עוף, עופי, עופו Ten la-neshama la-oof - Let the soul fly - תן לנשמה לעוף La-oof - To fly (birds) - לעוף Latoos - To fly (planes) - לטוס Oof mi-po - Get out of here - עוף מפה Ta’oof mi-po - Get out of here - תעוף מפה Oof, oofi, oofu mi-po - Get out of here (m., f., pl.) - עוף, עופי, עופו מפה Yalla, afti mi-po - I am out of here - יאללה, עפתי מפה Oof li me-ha-einayim - Get out of my face - עוף לי מהעיניים Hu af mi-kurs tayis - He flunked the pilot course - הוא עף מקורס טיס La’uf al mashehu - To love something - לעוף על משהו Ani af al ha-schnitzel ha-ze - I love this schnitzel - אני

Eich (איך), Hebrew for “how”, is a tiny word used very often in spoken Hebrew and in many different contexts. On this episode, Guy explains these uses through several examples from everyday life in Israel. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Eich - How - איך Eich shir nolad - How is a song born? - איך שיר נולד Eich haya? - How was it? - איך היה? Eich sham? - How is it there? - איך שם? Eich? - How are you? (sl.) - איך? Tagid eich ata / Tagidi, eich at - How are YOU doing? - תגיד, איך אתה / תגידי, איך את Eich omrim la she-hakol nigmar - How does one tell her that it’s all over - איך אומרים לה שהכל נגמר Eich omrim be-ivrit to go? Lalechet - How do you say in Hebrew ‘to go’? lalechet - איך אומרים בעברית ‘טו גו’? ללכת Eich omrim… (+ expression) - As one says - איך אומרים + ביטוי Eich kor’im la-hi/la-hu - What was the name of that girl/guy? - איך קוראים להיא/להוא? Eich she-pagashti ota, yadati - The moment I met her, I knew - איך שפגשתי אותה, ידעתי Eich she-nichnasti, raiti

You're busy. I'm busy. We're all extremely busy these days. The Hebrew word for busy is עסוק. What would you say to your friend if you might not be able to make it to their party? Guy sets aside time from his busy schedule to explain. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Ein li zman linshom - I don’t have time to breathe - אין לי זמן לנשום Asuk, asuka, asukim, asukot - Busy - עסוק, עסוקה, עסוקים, עסוקות Ani ma-ze/mamash asuk - I am really busy - אני מה-זה/ממש עסוק Ani asuka be-teruf - I am insanely busy - אני עסוקה בטירוף Ata suk be-atsmecha - You’re busy with yourself - אתה עסוק בעצמך Hu ma-ze asuk be-atsmo, Hi ma-ze asuka be-atsma - He/she is so busy with herself - הוא מה-זה עסוק בעצמה/ היא מה-זה עסוקה בעצמה Ani asuk be-proyekt - I am busy with a project - אני עסוק בפרוייקט Ani asuka im ha-proyekt ha-hadash - I am busy with the new project - אני עסוקה עם הפרוייקט החדש Be-lahats - Stressed - בלחץ Ani ma-ze be-lahats ha-shavu’a - I am really stressed this week - אני מה

Why do Israelis say, “hu taka li berez” (הוא תקע לי ברז), which roughly translates to, “he jammed a faucet on me”? And how do we say in Hebrew, “I'm stuck in the middle seat again”? On this episode, Guy explains the word litko’a (לתקוע), to stick into, and delves into the nooks and crannies of hardcore Israeli slang. Language warning: things are about to get explicit. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Hu taka masmer ba-kir - He stuck a nail in the wall - הוא תקע מסמר בקיר Litko’a berez le-mishehu - To evade responsibility or duty - לתקוע ברז למישהו Hu taka/dafak li berez - He stood me up - הוא תקע/דפק לי ברז Litko’a - To hold up, to delay, to jam - לתקוע Hu stam toke’a et ze - He just jams it - הוא סתם תוקע את זה Ha-medina toka’at et kol ha-sipur - The state jams the entire thing - המדינה תוקעת את כל הסיפור Ma hu taka otanu po? - Why are we stuck here? - מה הוא תקע אותנו פה? Lama takati pizza be-12 ba-laila? - Why did I down a pizza at midnight? - למה תקעתי פיצה ב-1

Simha (שמחה) in Hebrew is happiness or joy, but it can also mean a happy event. How would you say “to make someone happy” in Hebrew? Guy explains all things שמח on this extra joyful episode. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Simha - Happiness - שמחה Eize yom sameach li hayom - What a happy day I am having today - איזה יום שמח לי היום Esther Roth-Shachamorov Ani smeha she-ha-heseg ha-ze naasa mul einay - I am happy that this achievement was made before my eyes - אני שמחה שההישג הזה נעשה מול עיניי Sameach, smecha, smechim, smechot - Happy (adj. m., f., pl. m., pl. f.) - שמח, שמחה, שמחים, שמחות Yeladim ze simha - Children are happiness - ילדים זה שמחה Hi smeha - She is happy - היא שמחה Simha - Happy event - שמחה Yesh li simha ha-erev - I have an event tonight - יש לי שמחה הערב Yesh li eru’a - I have an event - יש לי אירוע Simha-Smahot - Joy, joys - שמחה, שמחות Smachot ktanot - Small joys - שמחות קטנות Ha-banot smechot - The girls are happy - הבנות שמחות Of simhes (Yidd

In addition to calling and texting, your smartphone is also a fancy nagan-em-pi-shalosh (נגן אם-פי-3). What's that? Well, without this capability you wouldn't be able to listen to this podcast on the move! Today's episode is all about the root נ.ג.נ, out of which Hebrew words like ניגון, מנגינה, and נגינה are constructed. Listen to the all-Hebrew version of this episode. New Words and Expressions: Niggun, niggunim - Inflection (linguistics), Nigun - ניגון Paytan - A person who writes/sings a piyyut - פייטן Mangina - Melody, tune - מנגינה Manginat he-halil - The melody of the flute - מנגינת החליל Negina - Playing music - נגינה Shi’ur negina be-psantar, Shi’ur psanter - Piano lesson - שיעור נגינה בפסנתר, שיעור פסנתר Lenagen - To play (music) - לנגן Az kol mi she-menagen al gitara - So anyone who plays guitar - אז כל מי שמנגן על גיטרה Afilu im hu menagen lo harbe zman - Even if he plays not for a long time - אפילו אם הוא מנגן לא הרבה זמן Ze shir (she)dei pashut lenagen (oto) - It’s a song that is pretty easy to

There are several ways to ask an Israeli taxi driver to lower the volume on the radio that won't result in nasty looks. Today, Guy discusses these sayings and other words related to radio, like the Hebrew word for podcast. Listen to the all-Hebrew version of this episode   New Words and Expressions: Havita - Omlette - חביתה Aruhat boker israelit - Israeli breakfast - ארוחת בוקר ישראלית Pirsomot - Commercials - פרסומות Efshar lehahlish tipa? - Is it possible to turn it down a bit? - אפשר להחליש טיפה? Ata yachol lehahlish (be)vakasha? - Could you turn it a bit down please? - אתה יכול להחליש (ב)בקשה? Ze ma-ze hazak, efshar lehalish? - It’s really loud, could you turn it down a bit? - זה מה-זה חזק, אפשר להחליש? Lehagbir - To turn up the volume - להגביר Tagbir, tagbir - Turn it up! - תגביר, תגביר Leha’avir tahana - To switch to another station - להעביר תחנה Ata yachol leha’avir tahana? - Could you change the channel? - אתה יכול להעביר תחנה? Tahanat radio - Radio station - תחנת רדיו Podcast - Podcast - פודקסט Radio

The Hebrew word for partner or flatmate is שותף, and its root ש.ת.פ is especially relevant when trying to get your social media posts to go viral. On this episode, Guy shares his linguistic expertise on all things shareable. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Shutaf, shutafim - Partner/s, flatmate - שותף, שותפים Shutafut - Partnership - שותפוּת Leshatef - To share - לשתף Eich leshatef tmunot me-ha-instagram - How to share photos from Instagram - איך לשתף תמונות מהאינסטגרם Harbe mikem kvar yod’im et ze, ki shitafti et ze male ba’avar - Many of you already know this, because I shared this a lot in the past - הרבה מכם כבר יודעים את זה, כי שיתפתי את זה מלא בעבר Teshatef/teshatfi oti be-ma she-over alecha/alayich - Share with me what’s going on with you - תשתף/תשתפי אותי במה עובר עליך/עלייך Hu lo meshatef oti/Hi lo meshatefet oti - He/she doesn’t share (much) with me - הוא לא משתף אותי/היא לא משתפת אותי Shatfu, teshatfu - Share (imp. pl.) - שתפו/תשתפו Teshatfu bevaka

Most furniture from Ikea comes with assembly instructions. On this episode, Guy provides us with an instructions manual for the root רכב, which can be found in the word להרכיב, to assemble. No assembly required on this podcast! Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Rachav - He rode - רכב Rochev - He’s riding - רוכב Hem rochvim - They ride - הם רוכבים Rochev - He rides/he is riding/rider - רוכב Rechiva - Riding - רכיבה Hadracha - Instruction - הדרכה Hadrachat rechiva - Riding instruction - הדרכת רכיבה Ez Harim - Mountain goat - עז הרים Rochvim meyumanim - Skilled riders - רוכבים מיומנים Rechiva al ofanayim - Bike riding - רכיבה על אופניים Rechiva al susim - Horse riding - רכיבה על סוסים Rechev - Vehicle - רכב Rechev hevra - Company car - רכב חברה Rakevet, rakavot - Train, trains - רכבת, רכבות Tarkiv oti - Give me a ride on the back of your bike - תרכיב אותי Leharkiv someone on something - To let a friend ride on the back of your bicycle - להרכיב מישהו על משהו Lehark

Many things in life are complicated, including some people's relationship status on Facebook. How do we say “it’s complicated” in Hebrew? And what saying do we use as something gets more and more complicated? Bonus: we've included a short clip from the Hebrew version of this episode. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Mesubach - Complicated - מסובך ‘It’s complicated’ - Ze mesubach - זה מסובך Mesubechet (f.) - Complicated - מסובכת Ata mesubach im atsmecha - You’re complicated - אתה מסובך עם עצמך Hi mesubechet im atsma - She is complicated - היא מסובכת עם עצמה Hem mesubachim im atsmam - They’re complicated - הם מסובכים עם עצמם At mevina oti pashut, az lama lesabech - You understand me, so why make things complicated - את מבינה אותי פשוט, אז למה לסבך Lama lesabech ta-hayim, lama? - Why complicate life, why? - למה לסבך את החיים, למה? Ma sibachta/sibacht oti achshav? - Why did you get me involved in this? - מה סיבכת אותי עכשיו? Sibuchim refu’iyim - Medical complicati

How do we say “I want to improve my Hebrew” in Hebrew? How about “improvements”? And what's the connection to the popular supermarket chain Shufersal? Guy explains. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Leshaper mashehu - To improve something - לשפר משהו Ani rotse leshaper et ha-ivrit sheli - I want to improve my Hebrew - אני רוצה לשפר את העברית שלי Nehagim matkinim shipurim - Drivers install improvements - נהגים מתקינים שיפורים Tse’irim she-meshaprim et bitsua ha-mechoniyot - Young people who improve the performance of the cars - צעירים שמשפרים את ביצוע המכוניות Ha-ikar she-harechev shelahem yihiye hachi meshupar - The main thing is that their car will be the most improved - והעיקר שהרכב שלהם יהיה הכי משופר Ha-mechoniyot she-shupru - The cars that were improved - המכוניות ששופרו Shupar - It was improved - שופר Girsa meshuperet - Improved version - גרסה משופרת Telefon meshupar - An “improved” mobile phone - גרסה משופרת Matsavo mishtaper - His situation is getting b

Israel has just won the Eurovision Song Contest thanks to Netta Barzilai and her incredible song Toy. Guy walks you through parts of the song's Hebrew lyrics and reviews some of Israel's past Eurovision winners. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Ero-viz-yon - Eurovision - אירוויזיון Taharut zemer, taharut shirim - Song contest - תחרות זמר Nitsachon - Victory - ניצחון Ani lo buba - I am not a doll - אני לא בובה Biryonut - Bullying - בריונות Ani lo hafachti lihyot yafa - I didn’t become pretty - אני לא הפכתי להיות יפה Ani tamid hayiti - I have always been (pretty) - אני תמיד הייתי Ha-davar ha-yachid she-hishtana - The only thing that has changed - הדבר היחיד שהשתנה Ze ha-yedi’a sheli, ze ha-havana sheli - is my understanding - זה הידיעה שלי, זה ההבנה שלי She-magi’a li - That I deserve it - שמגיע לי Ve-ze tsarich lihyot kacha - And it should be this way - וצריך להיות ככה Hit’hashla - She was toughened up - התחשלה Kirkur tarnegolet - Cluck of a chicken - קרקור תרנג

What's the Hebrew language connection between the following: a book chapter, devouring an entire pizza, and the Soviet Union's breakup? Guy explains it all on today's episode. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Perek, prakim - Episode, chapter - פרק Liftoah perek hadash - To start a new chapter - לפתוח פרק חדש Ba-prakim ha-baim - On the next episodes - בפרקים הבאים At Poreket kartonim - You are unloading cardboards - את פורקת קרטונים Lifrok - To unload - לפרוק Porkim mecholot me-oniya - Unloading containers from a ship - פורקים מכולות מאונייה Pakach, ani porek s’hora - Dear inspector, I am unloading merchandise - פקח, אני פורק סחורה Lifrok regashot/ka’as/lahats - Unload emotions/anger/stress - לפרוק רגשות/כעס/לחץ Prika - Unloading - פריקה Lefarek - To disassemble, to dismantle - לפרק Aanahnu mefarkim ta’arucha - We dismantle an exhibition - אנחנו מפרקים תערוכה Lefarek mishehu be-makot - To beat up someone - לפרק מישהו במכות Lefarek of - To devour a chicken - לפר

Imagine this… you’re riding on a bus in Tel Aviv. Next to you is someone talking on their cellphone much too loud. How should you ask them to “keep it down”? Today we’ll talk about those who talk too much and discuss the possible ways to ask them to stop, politely and impolitely. Click here for the all-Hebrew version of this episode   New Words and Expressions: Shotkim – We are silent – שותקים Shatak – He was quiet – שתק Lishtok – To be quiet – לשתוק Shtok/shteki/shteku shniya – Shut up for a sec. – שתוק/שתקי/שתקו שנייה Hu/hi lo shatak/shatka – He/she didn’t shut up – היא/הוא לא שתק/שתקה Stom/Stemi/Stemu – Shut up (imp.) – סתום/סתמי/סתמו Stom/Stemi ta’pe – Shut your mouth – סתום/סתמי ת’פה Bo’na hu lo satam kol ha-nesi’a – He wouldn’t shut up the entire ride – בוא’נה הוא לא סתם כל הנסיעה Bo’na hi lo satma kol ha-nesi’a – She wouldn’t shut up the entire ride – בוא’נה היא לא סתמה כל הנסיעה Sheket – Silence – שקט Sheket bevakasha – Quiet please – שקט בבקשה Slicha, efshar tipa yoter be-sheket? – Is it possible to

This episode is about the root .ח.ט.פ, which is used in the Hebrew words חטף (snatch), החטיף (beat up), and חטיף (snack). Why is this root used in the word for snacks? Because they're something you can grab and eat on the go. Now grab a seat and enjoy another deliciously appetising episode of Streetwise Hebrew. Listen to the all-Hebrew version here: www.patreon.com/streetwisehebrew   New Words and Expressions: Hataf – He grabbed, snatched – הוא חטף Lahtof – To grab, snatch – לחטוף Hatafti pizza – I had some pizza (I grabbed a pizza) – חטפתי פיצה Hatafti mashehu katan – I had (eaten) something small – חטפתי משהו קטן Hatifa – Grabbing, kidnapping, hijacking – חטיפה ​Matos hatuf – Hijacked plane – מטוס חטוף Nehtaf – Was hijacked – נחטף Hatufim – Abductees – חטופים Mabat hatuf – Brief look – מבט חטוף Hotef – Kidnapper – חוטף Awo, hatafti maka – Ouch, I hit (my foot) – אאו, חטפתי מכה Hatafti shok – I was shocked – חטפתי שוק Hatafti janana – I became crazy, angry – חטפתי ג’ננה Hu hataf janana / ta-janana – He got c

The root חב"ר is rich. It's used in the Hebrew words for “composing”, “connecting”, “joining”, “adding”, and many more. In this episode, Guy explains this root and teaches us how to say the ever-important phrase, “I can't connect to the internet.” We also learn the difference between מחברת and חוברת. Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode? You'll find it on Patreon at patreon.com/streetwisehebrew  New Words and Expressions: Targilei hibur - Addition exercises - תרגילי חיבור Lehaber - To add, connect, join - לחבר Shtayim ve’od shtayim shave arbe - Two plus two equals four - שתיים ועוד שתיים שווה ארבע Hibur - Essay, composition, connection - חיבור Hibur la-hashmal - Connection to the electricity - חיבור לחשמל Livdok et ha-hiburim - To check the connections - לבדוק את החיבורים Ani ro’a she-at mehuberet - I can see you’re connected - אני רואה שאת מחוברת At yechola lehaber oti le-mishehu be-X? - Could you put me in touch with someone at X? - את יכולה לחבר אותי למישהו ב-איקס? Mamash toda al ha-hibur -

Meser is defined as message or theme, as in the meser of a story, or the main idea behind the text. But it also relates to text messages and to tradition. Guy explains this and more on today's episode. Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode? You'll find it on Patreon at patreon.com/streetwisehebrew  New Words and Expressions: Ha-hazai moser et ha-tahazit - The weatherman delivers the forecast - החזאי מוסר את התחזית Limsor mismachim - To give documents - למסור מסמכים Tsarich limsor et ha-bakasha - One needs to physically hand over the application. - צריך למסור את הבקשה Hi moseret gura - She gives away a female puppy - היא מוסרת גורה Limsor gur le-imutz - To give away a puppy for adoption - למסור גור לאימוץ Limsor kadur - Pass the ball - למסור כדור Kaduregel - Football, soccer - כדורגל Timsor, timseri, timseru - Pass (the ball) (imp.) - תמסור, תמסרי, תמסרו Lama lo masarta/masart/masartem? - Why didn’t you pass the ball? - למה לא מסרתָ/מסרתְ/מסרתם? Mesira - A pass of the ball - מסירה Eize mesira! -

The words daluk, nidlak, and lehadlik are all related to turning on electric devices. However, they could also mean ‘turn on’ in the sensual sense. To complicate things further, the word letadlek, from the same root, is to ‘refuel’ as well as slang for ‘to drink alcohol.’ Perhaps this week’s show is not the most kid-friendly of episodes.   Patrons can find the all-Hebrew version of this episode on http://patreon.com/streetwisehebrew   New Words and Expressions: Al ha-mahane nidlak yare’ah - Over the camp the moon is lit - על המחנה נדלק ירח Nidlakim ha-orot ba-hadarim - The lights are lit in the rooms - נדלקים האורות בחדרים Ha-oto lo nidlak li - The car wouldn’t start - האוטו לא נדלק לי Ha-mahshev lo nidlak - The computer wouldn’t turn on - המחשב לא נדלק Lehidalek - To be ignited, to be turned on - להידלק Nidlak me’atsmo - Turned on by itself - נדלק מעצמו Ma nidlakta/nidlakt/nidlaktem achshav? - What are you on about now? - מה נדלקת/נדלקתם עכשיו? Daluk - Turned on, switched on - דלוק Oy lo, hish’arti et ha-boi