Streetwise Hebrew

'Nehmad' means 'nice' or 'lovely', but often 'nice' is just not enough for what we want to say. How do we give it a boost to emphasize what we really mean? We can also say 'nehmad,' but in fact mean the opposite! And what do we say about a waiter who is 'too nice'? Guy gives us the nuances of 'nehmad' in this week's episode.  Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Nehmad – Nice, lovely – נחמד Lahmod – To covet – לחמוד Haya mamash nehmad – It was really nice – היה ממש נחמד Hikarti mishehu mamash nehmad – I met someone really nice – הכרתי מישהו ממש נחמד Ata nir’e nehmad – You look nice – אתה נראה נחמד Ma ha-kavana shela? – What’s her intention? – מה הכוונה שלה? Ach be-kupat holim nisa lehathil iti o she-hu stam haya nehmad? – Was a male nurse in the clinic trying to hit on me, or was he just being nice? – אח בקופת חולים ניסה להתחיל איתי או שהוא סתם היה נחמד? Eich ladaat im hu stam nehmad o ba-keta? – How can I know if he’s just nice, or into me? – איך לדעת אם הוא סתם

‘Hamud,’ which means ‘cute’ or ‘sweet,’ could be used in several ways, depending on the context and intonation. But just like in English, calling someone ‘sweetie’ in Hebrew isn’t always a good thing! Listen to Guy explain how ‘hamud’ can be either endearing or angry on today’s episode. Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Hamud – Cute, cutie, sweet, sweetie – חמוד Lahmod – To covet – לחמוד Alhamdullila – Praise be to god – אלחמדוללה – الحمد لله Hamd (Ar.) – Praise – حمد She-yihyu lecha male yeladim hamudim – May you have a lot of cute kids – שיהיו לך מלא ילדים חמודים Ma kara lach, hamuda? – What happened to you, sweetie? – מה קרה לך, חמודה? Hamuda – Sweetie (f.) – חמודה Hammudi (Ar.) – Nickname for Muhammad, Ahmad & Mahmoud – חמודי Hamudi – Sweetie (for boys) – חמודי Omrim li she-ani hamud – They tell me I am “hamud” – אומרים לי שאני חמוד Status hamud – Cute FB status – סטטוס חמוד Shir hamud – Sweet song – שיר חמוד Kelev hamud – Cute dog – כלב חמוד Yeled ham

The word 'lidfok' in Hebrew is to knock or hit. As you might imagine, it means some more explicit things too. In this episode, Guy explains why words like 'dafuk' and 'dfika' are difficult to use but important to understand. And how some words just shouldn't be used at all. Warning: This episode is not child friendly! Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Dafak – He knocked – דפק Ha-geshem dofek – The rain is banging – הגשם דופק Dfok dfok dfok al daltei marom – Knock, knock, knocking on heavens door – דפוק דפוק דפוק על דלתי מרום Dofek ba-delet – Knocking on the door – דופק בדלת Dafku lanu od knas – They slammed us with another fine – דפקו לנו עוד קנס Dafku li doch / tluna – They slammed me with a police report / complaint – דפקו לי דו”ח / תלונה Dafku lo makot – They beat him up – דפקו לו מכות Dafak et someone – Had sex with someone (hardcore slang ) – דפק את מישהו / מישהי Dafku oti – They took advantage of me – דפקו אותי Lidfok et mishehu – To take advantage of so

Litpos in formal Hebrew and litfos more colloquially both mean 'to catch', but the word has a whirlwind of other meanings, like to comprehend, take up space, or think highly of someone. Guy nearly gets lost in the possibilities, and he even finds a Yiddish connection. But don't take his word for it! Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Af ahat lo tafsa et ha-makom sheli ba-lev shelcha – Nobody took my place in your heart – אף אחת לא תפסה את המקום שלי בלב שלך Af ahat lo titpos et ha-makom sheli ba-lev shelcha – No one will catch my place in your heart – אף אחת לא תתפוס את המקום שלי בלב שלך Titpos (form.), titfos (Coll.) – She will catch – תתפוס Shum ahava lo titfos et mekoma – No love will catch her place – שום אהבה לא תתפוס את מקומה Titfos li makom leyadcha – Save me a spot next to you – תתפוס לי מקום לידך At yechola litfos li makom leyadech? – Can you save a spot next to you? – ?את יכולה לתפוס לי מקום לידך Al titfos oti ba-mila – Don’t take my word for it – אל ת

We always talk about what's around the corner or why it's a bad idea to cut them, but never the corner itself. So on this episode, Guy gives corners, 'pinot' in Hebrew, the attention they deserve! Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: La-kova sheli shalosh pinot – My hat has three corners – לכובע שלי שלוש פינות Pina, pinot – Corner, corners – פינה, פינות Pinat lituf – Petting corner – פינת ליטוף Lelatef – To pet, caress – ללטף Me'ever la-pina - Beyond the corner – מעבר לפינה Pinot ha-ir – The corners of the city – פינות העיר Café pinati – Corner café – קפה פינתי Shulchan pinati – Corner table – שולחן פינתי "Pinati" – A name of a famous Jerusalem restaurant – פינתי Pinat/pinot ishun – A smoking corner/s – פינת/פינות עישון Le'agel pinot – To cut corners – לעגל פינות Hu me'agel pinot – He cuts corners – הוא מעגל פינות Litfos pina – To catch a corner, means to grab a chair and sit somewhere quiet to do something – לתפוס פינה Tfos pina, ve-tigmor lichtov – Grab a corne

So you're shopping around for a short-sleeved shirt, and stop for an espresso. Or the boss says don't take shortcuts, but a friend's constant adventures stresses you out so much it practically shortens your life! For a lesson in all things 'katsar', short in Hebrew, listen to this episode. Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Katsar – Short – קצר Espresso katsar – Short espresso – אספרסו קצר Michnasayim ktsarim – Short pants – מכנסיים קצרים Ahava ktsara – Short love (story) – אהבה קצרה Seret katsar – Short film – סרטים קצרים Katsar, aval – But let's do it quickly – קצר אבל Yesh lach zman le-kafe? Ken, katsar aval – Do you (f.) have time for coffee? Yes, but for a quick one – יש לך זמן לקפה? כן, קצר אבל Katsarchik – Diminutive of katsar – קצרצ'יק Sirton katsarchik – Teeny weeny clip – סרטון קצרצ'יק Lekatser – To shorten – לקצר Lekatser drachim – To shorten ways – לקצר דרכים Mekatseret hatsa'it – She is shortening a skirt – מקצרת חצאית Lekatser hatsa'it / michnasay

One of your friends or colleagues is talking your ear off - blabbering, nagging, or over analyzing. In Hebrew, you would kindly ask that person to stop being a 'hafran,' or literally, 'digger.' Guy explains how and when to use this illustrative slang. Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Hofer – Digging, excavating – חופר Lahpor (lahfor) – To dig – לחפור Lahfor bor – To dig a hole – לחפור בור Orly lo mafsika lahfor li – Orly does not stop "lahfor" in my ear – אורלי לא מפסיקה לחפור לי Tagidu la, giveret, at hoferet, kol ha-zman medaberet – Tell her, lady, you're "hoferet", you're speaking all the time – תגידו לה, גברת, את חופרת Ma ata hofer? – Why are you "hofer"? – ?מה אתה חופר Dai lahfor – enough digging – די לחפור Dai lahfor li – Stop digging in my ear – די לחפור לי Hafarti? – Did I talk too much? – ?חפרתי Hafira, hafirot – Excavation, digging – חפירה, חפירות Hafira archi'ologit – Archaeological excavation – חפירה ארכיאולוגית Hafran, hafranit – A blabber – חפרן

There's so much more to learning a language than studying grammar and vocabulary. The melodies of a language, Guy says, are equally as important. So join him on this short journey through Israel's many voices to learn a thing or two about Hebrew intonation. No need to think, analyze or translate. Just listen. Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Intonatsyot – Intonations – אינטונציות Music: It’s Okay, That’s Love (Korean TV drama) Julieta movie trailer “Hayati” Moroccan TV series Dr. Gilad Goldshmidt, Galey Tsahal Radio interview Static and Ben-El Tavori, interviewed by Ba-tribuna Muhammad Kaabiya, TV1 Katya Kupchik, Ha-televizia Ha-hinuchit, show about 2nd generation immigrants from Russia Ahuvya Malkin, Hahagana Israel News (1958) Big Brother, Israeli channel 2, (2016) Want to see more Hebrew gems? Like Streetwise Hebrew on Facebook and Instagram. Want Guy to talk about a pressing Hebrew issue? Find him at StreetWiseHebrew.com or follow him on Twitter.

Think you already know Hebrew inside out? Well, the words for 'inside' and 'out' in Hebrew may stump you yet. Guy explains them and other tricky, related phrases. Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Chutz, Bahutz – Outside – חוץ, בחוץ Pnim, Bifnim – Inside – פנים, בפנים Ata rotse lashevet bifnim o bahutz? – Do you want to sit inside or outside? – ?אתה רוצה לשבת בפנים או בחוץ Hahutsa – Out, towards the outside – החוצה Pnima – Inside, towards the inside – פנימה Ani yotse hahutsa – I am going out – אני יוצא החוצה I am getting in – Ani nichnas pnima – אני נכנס פנימה Ha-tikva – The Hope – התקווה Kol od ba-levav penima – As long as in the heart, within – כל עוד בלבב פנימה Ve-im etse ha-hutsa – And if I get out – ואם אצא החוצה Ha-matzav rak yahamir – The situation will only deteriorate – המצב רק יחמיר Ani yotse ksat hahutsa – I am going outside for a while – אני יוצא קצת החוצה Ein li hutz mimech klum – I don't have anything but you – אין לי חוץ ממך כלום Hutz mi- – Exce

The Hebrew word “sagur” means closed, but is also ever useful in making deals and plans, even satisfying your hunger. Today Guy explains this word and its artful expressions about closing, finalizing, and wrapping things up. Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Lisgor – To close – לסגור Lisgor delet – To close a door – לסגור דלת Lisgor misradim – To close down offices – לסגור משרדים Ba-lev sheli yesh hor – In my heart there’s a hole – בלב שלי יש חור She-i efshar lisgor – That you cannot close – שאי אפשר לסגור Lisgor mashehu im mishehu – To finalize something with someone – לסגור משהו עם מישהו Ma sagarta ito? – What did you finalize with him? – ?מה סגרת איתו Anachnu sogrim ito al mahar be-tesha – We’re confirming with him for tomorrow at nine – אנחנו סוגרים איתו על מחר בתשע Ha-kol sagur – It’s all set – הכל סגור Ze od lo sagur – It's not final yet – זה עוד לא סגור Sagur! – Deal! Finalized! – !סגור Ze bichlal od lo sagur – It's not finalized yet at all – זה בכלל עו

It happens all the time. Someone cut you in the line at a Tel Avivi market, just stepped right in front. What do you say to put them back in their place? That is, back behind you in the queue. Let's learn what Israelis say in this situation, paying special attention to delicate intonations that make all the difference. Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Ze rak she'ela – It's just a question – זה רק שאלה Slicha – Sorry / Excuse me – סליחה Ani hayiti kodem - I was (here) before – אני הייתי קודם Chutspa – Nerve – חוצפה Halo-halo! – Hey! – הלו-הלו Halo, ma niya? – What's going on? – ?הלו, מה נהיה Lo lo lo / Lo lo lo lo lo – No, no, no – לא לא לא / לא לא לא לא לא Achshav ani – Now it's my turn – עכשיו אני Achi / Haver / Gever / Adoni – Dude / mate / man / Sir – אחי / חבר / גבר / אדוני Hayita po? – Were you here? – ?היית פה Gvirti slicha, ani kodem – Ma'am excuse me, I am first – גבירתי סליחה, אני קודם Episode 144 on 'nihya' Music: Matti Caspi - Slicha (lyrics) Amir

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 get dressed – להתלבש Lehitnashek – To kiss each other – להתנשק Hem hitnashku – They kissed each other – הם התנשקו Hitnashaktem? – Did you guys kiss? – ?התנשקתם Hitnashakt ito – You (f.) kissed him – התנשקת איתו Hitnashakt ita – You (f.) kissed her – התנשקת איתה Nishakt oto – You (f.) kissed him – נישקת אותו Nishakta oto – You (m.) kissed him – נישקת אותו Lenashek mishehu – To kiss someone – לנשק מישהו Ani rotse lishon itach – I want to sleep with you (f.) – אני רוצה לישון איתך Lenashek otach – To kiss you (f.) – לנשק אותך Le'at leat –  Slowly – לאט לאט Eich gormim le-yeled – How do you make a boy – איך גורמים לילד Len

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 it still hurts – פחות אבל עוד כואב Shneinu shavim, pahot o yoter – We’re both equal, more or less – שנינו שווים, פחות או יותר Teshalmu pahot al sal ha-kniyot – You’ll pay less for your shopping basket – תשלמו פחות על סל הקניות Ani pahot ko’es – I am less angry – אני פחות כועס Pahot mi-sha’a – Less than an hour – פחות משעה “Slicha, aval pahot mat’im li karega” – Sorry, it’s less convenient right now – סליחה, אבל פחות מתאים לי כרגע “Ba lecha seret? Pahot” – Do you feel like watching a movie? Less – בא לך סרט? פחות Pahot hitchabarti – I didn’t really connect to it – פחות התחברתי Hamesh pahot shalosh – Five minus three

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: Amar – He said – אמר Amarta – You (m.) said – אמרתָ Amart – You (f.) said – אמרתְ Ma she-ne'emar – What was said – מה שנאמר Amart li etmol – You (f.) told me yesterday – אמרת לי אתמול She-halamt alai ba-laila – That you dreamt about me last night – שחלמת עליי בלילה Kshe'elohim amar – When god said – כשאלוהים אמר Ba-pa'am ha-rishona – In the first time – בפעם הראשונה Mi amar – Who said so? – ?מי אמר Hi amra li – She said to me – היא אמרה לי Az amarti lo – So I told him – אז אמרתי לו Hu amar li – He told me – הוא אמר לי Az ma hu amar – So what did he say? – ?אז מה הוא אמר Ve-ma at amart? – And what did you (f.) say? – ?ומה את אמרת Amarti lecha/lach – I told you so – אמרתי לך Ma amarnu? – What did we say? – ?מה אמרנ

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 – איזה כיף Li kanu me'il hadash – They just bought me a new coat – לי קנו מעיל חדש Ve-hayom oto elbash – And today I will wear it – והיום אותו אלבש Giz'ani – Racist – גזעני Nahut – Inferior – נחות Nesi ha-medina – President – נשיא המדינה Beit ha-nasi – President's Residence – בית הנשיא Tarbuyuot – Cultures – תרבויות Ata tsarich lehakir ota – You need to know her – אתה צריך להכיר אותה Metsuyan – Excellent – מצויין Medaber – Speaking – מדבר Music: Jihan Jaber – Geshem Geshem Metaftef (original clip) Channel 2 TV interview with Jihan Soldiers singing Palestinian Musawa TV Eden Ben Zaken Cover By Yves and Lir Trance Remix

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 – It was great meeting you – היה ממש כיף לפגוש אתכם Yerushalaima – Towards Jerusalem (biblical) – ירושלימה Le-yerushalaim – Towards Jerusalem (modern) – לירושלים Tsafona – Northbound – צפונה Daroma – Southbound – דרומה Smola – To the left – שמאלה Yamina – To the right – ימינה Kadima – Forward – קדימה Achora – Backword – אחורה Higati habaita – I reached home – הגעתי הביתה Kama tov she-bata habaita – So good that you came back home – כמה טוב שבאת הביתה Israeliyut – Israeliness – ישראליוּת Bo ha-baita – Come home – בוא הביתה Alé habaita – Come up home –עלה הביתה Lech/Lechi/Lechu habaita – Go home – לך/לכי/לכו הביתה Hu halach habaita – He went home – הוא הלך הביתה Nir'eh

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 – My dear listeners – מאזינים יקרים שלי Leha’amin – To believe – להאמין Amen – So be it – אמן Halvai amen – May it be like this – הלוואי אמן Tamut halvai amen – May you die! (sl.) – תמות הלוואי אמן Amen she… – I wish that… – אמן ש... Amen she-hakol yistader – May everything turn out fine – אמן שהכל יסתדר Emuna be… – Belief in… – אמונה ב– Ani ma'amin she... – I believe that… – אני מאמין ש... Ani ma'amin ba – I believe in her – אני מאמין בה Achshav kshe-lo notar yoter be-ma le'haamin – Now, when there's nothing left to believe in – עכשיו, כשלא נותר יותר במה להאמין Ta'amin li – Believe me – תאמין לי Leha’amin le – To belie

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. Words and expressions discussed: Sicha menumeset – Polite conversation – שיחה מנומסת Efshar espresso? – May I have an espresso? – ?אפשר אספרסו Nahutz li gever menumas – I need a polite man – נחוץ לי גבר מנומס Rotse kafe? Lo. – Do you want coffee? No. – רוצה קפה? לא Efshar laredet? Ken. – Can I get off? Yes. – אפשר לרדת? כן Ba lecha mitz? Lo. – Do you feel like juice? No. – בא לך מיץ? לא Nifgashim ba-spontani? Lo, asuk – Wanna meet now spontaneously? No, (I am) busy. – נפגשים בספונטני? לא, עסוק Ramkolim menumasim – Polite speakers – רמקולים מנומסים Music: Shlomo Artzi & Astar Shamir - Brit Lo Muteret (lyrics) Yossi Banai & Yona Atari - Rina (lyrics) Meir Ariel - Terminal (lyrics)   The Hebrew Verb Tables app i

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 – רגע, נהג Efshar rega she'ela? – May I just ask one question? – אפשר רגע שאלה? Rak shniya/daka – Just a second/minute – רק שנייה/דקה Haké , haki, haku – Wait (imperative, m., f., pl.) – חכה, חכי, חכו Haké shniya/rega –  Wait a bit– חכה שנייה/רגע Haké-haké/haki-haki – Just you wait – חכה-חכה/חכי-חכי Tsohek mi she-tsohek aharon – He who laughs last, laughs the best – צוחק מי שצוחק אחרון Ten/tni li daka/shniya – Give me a minute – תן/תני לי דקה/שנייה Ten li daka/rega lir'ot – Give me a moment to see – תן לי דקה/רגע לראות Rak daka/shniya/rega – Just a moment – רק דקה/שנייה/רגע Od rega/shniya/daka – One sec. – עוד רגע/שנ

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 – לרדת Ma she-ole, hayav laredet – What goes up, must come down – מה שעולה, חייב לרדת Laredet me-ha-otobus / me-ha-rakevet – To get off the bus/train – לרדת מהאוטובוס/מהרכבת Efshar laredet (bevaksha)? – May I get off please? – אפשר לרדת בבקשה? Ta’atsor li kan bevaksha – Please stop here for me – תעצור לי כאן בבקשה Ole hadash, olim hadashim – New immigrant/s to Israel – עולה חדש, עולים חדשים Yored, yordim – Israelis who left Israel (negative) – יורד, יורדים Yerida – leaving Israel – ירידה Yored al mishehu – He’s mocking someone – יורד על מישהו Dai laredet alai – Stop coming down on me/mocking me – די לרדת עליי Yeridot al mi