Streetwise Hebrew

It’s not always easy to be “different” – שונה – but Guy tackles this word and its offshoots head-on. He explains how we get “change” and “strange” from the same root, and how to say “it’s all the same to me.” Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Shoneh – Different – שונה Ze shoneh be-ze she… – It’s different in that… – זה שונה בזה ש Be-ma ata shone mimenu – How do you differ from him? – במה אתה שונה ממנו “Etmol hayit shona” – Yesterday you were different – אתמול היית שונה “At ha-yom shona” – Today you’re different (f.) – את היום שונה Shinooy, shinooyim – Change, changes – שינוי, שינויים Shinooyey mezeg ha-avir – The weather changes – שינויי מזג האוויר Ata yachol lehagid li she-ze lo meshaneh – You can tell me that it doesn’t make a difference – אתה יכול להגיד לי שזה לא משנה Leshanot – To change – לשנות Lo meshaneh – It doesn’t make a difference – לא משנה Lo mshane li (‘lo m’shaneh’) – It’s ok for me either way – לא משנה לי Hu kol ha-zman meshaneh et da’ato – He keeps changing hi

We're airing pieces of the Skype chat host Guy Sharett had with some of our Patrons in March. In this, "Part 3" of the chat, we hear different ways to say how tired we are in Hebrew, and our Patrons tell us how difficult they think Hebrew is to learn compared to other languages. If you missed the first two parts, go back and have a listen before continuing with today's show: Part 1; Part 2. Exclusive Content for Patrons

In a country where everybody tells you what to do, how to do it, and when, it's only natural the word "adif" - "it's preferable" - would be a word you hear every day. Host Guy Sharett explores the "adif" family, and shows us the link between preference, priority, and pasta. Exclusive Content for Patrons   New words & expressions: Adif – Preferable – עדיף Adif machar – It's better tomorrow – עדיף מחר Az adif lehisha'er – It's better to stay – אז עדיף להישאר Adif lalechet achshav – It's better to go/leave now – עדיף ללכת עכשיו Adif la'asot et ze kacha – It's better to do it this way – עדיף לעשות את זה ככה Adif she… – It's better that... – ...עדיף ש Adif she-telech achshav – You'd better leave now – עדיף שתלך עכשיו Ma adif, ze o ze? – What's better, this or that? –  ?מה עדיף, זה או זה Ha-gvina ha-zo adifa? – Is this cheese better? – ?הגבינה הזו עדיפה Kulam adifim mi-korbanot ha-milchama – They are all better than the victims of war – כולם עדיפים מקורבנות המלחמה Hayiti adifut shniya – I was second priority –

"Keta" means "part," "section," "thing" or "gag," but it also appears in lots of really handy Hebrew slang expressions. Host Guy Sharett explains how we use "keta" to say that we're not into something, or to tell our friend how (un)funny they're being. Exclusive Content for Patrons   New words & expressions: Keta, kta'im – Part; section; leg of a trip; thing; gag – קטע/קטעים Yeled shome'a kta'im ba-sicha – A kid hears parts of the conversation – ילד שומע קטעים בשיחה He-keta ba-seret – The part/scene in the movie – הקטע בסרט Ze keta mesukan – It's a dangerous thing – זה קטע מסוכן Lo ahavti et ha-keta – I didn't like this – לא אהבתי את הקטע Lo mevina ta-keta – I don't get it – לא מבינה ת'קטע Makirim et ha-kete she…? – Do you know that thing when…? – ?...מכירים את הקטע ש Haya beynehem keta – There was a thing between them – היה ביניהם קטע At lo mamash ba-kate – You're not really into that – את לא ממש בקטע Hu be-keta shel banim (Hu ba-keta)– He's into guys – הוא בקטע של בנים Ani lo hoshev she-hu ba-keta – I d

"Lefargen" is a rather special word with no simple translation into English. It means to express happiness for someone, to encourage and praise them with full empathy. As host Guy Sharett explains, in some cases it can mean to give something out of the goodness of your heart. Get ready for a feel-good episode! Exclusive Content for Patrons   New words & expressions: Lefargen – To express happiness for someone, to encourage and praise them with full empathy – לפרגן Firgun (verbal noun) – The act of "lefargen" – פרגון Farginen (Yiddish) – "Lefargen" – פֿאַרגינען Farginen sich (Yiddish) –זיך  פֿאַרגינען – Lefargen le-atsmo – לפרגן לעצמו – To allow oneself to do something VergÖnnen (German) – To grant someone something Hu firgen le mishehu – He "firgened" (to) someone – הוא פרגן למישהו Fargen lo (imperative) – "Fargen" (to) him! – פרגן לו Az ten kavod, fargen le'atsmecha - So give respect, "fargen" (to) yourself – אז תן כבוד, פרגן לעצמך Zo she-tsricha lilmod lefargen le-atsma – The one (fem.) who needs to lea

StreetWise Hebrew has just reached 700,000 downloads, and host Guy Sharett thinks this is a great reason to talk about the root of number seven in Hebrew - shin beit ayin - and get to learn its other meanings. Exclusive Content for Patrons   New words & expressions: Sheva (f.), shiv'ah (m.) – Seven – שבע, שבעה Sheva banot, shiv'aa banim – Seven girls, seven boys – שבע בנות, שבעה בנים Shiv'ah – Seven days of mourning (Judaism) – שבעה Ani holech le-shiv'ah – I am going to a shiv'ah – אני הולך לשבעה Yesh li shivaa shel aba shel haver – I have a shiv'ah for a friend’s father – יש לי שבעה של אבא של חבר Efo ha-shiv'ah? – Where is the shiv'ah? – ?איפה השבעה Lashevet shiv'ah – To sit shiv'ah – לשבת שבעה Efo hem yoshvim shivaa? – Where do they sit shiv'ah? – ?איפה הם יושבים שבעה Shavu’a (m.), shavu'ot – Week/s – שבוע, שבועות Shavu'a tov – (Have a) good week – שבוע טוב Shvu'ayim – Two weeks – שבועיים Shvu’a ha-sefer hitchil – The book week has started – שבוע הספר התחיל Sofshavu'a – Weekend – סופשבוע Shvu'a avoda –

Listen up! Today’s episode teaches you how to do something very useful on the Israeli streets – to stop someone who’s talking at you and tell them “listen!” Pay attention as Guy explores this gem of a root. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon   New Words and Expressions: Takshiv, takshivi, takshivu – Listen! (imperative) – תקשיב, תקשיבי, תקשיבו “Im takshiv heytav” – If you listen well – אם תקשיב היטב Takshiv li ve-takshiv li tov! – Listen to me and listen well – תקשיב לי ותקשיב לי טוב Aval takshiv/takshivi rega – But listen for a sec – אבל תקשיב/תקשיבי רגע Takshiv/takshivi/takshivu shniya – Listen for a sec. – תקשיב/תקשיבי/תקשיבו רגע Hakshev, hakshivi, hakshivu – Listen! (Archaic imperative, not in use in colloquial language) – הקשב, הקשיבי, הקשיבו Takshiv ma ta’ase, takshivi ma ta’asi, takshivu ma ta’asu – Listen to what you need to do – תקשיב מה תעשה, תקשיבי מה תעשי, תקשיבו מה תעשו “Lo hikshavtem li’ – You didn’t listen to me (I told you so) – לא הקשבתם לי Hakshava – Listening carefully – הקשבה Lehakshiv

This episode is all about "mazal tov." How do we congratulate friends who have a newborn baby? And what do you say when you're not sure if it's a boy or a girl, in a gender-based language like Hebrew? Guy has all the answers. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Mazal tov – Congratulations – מזל טוב She-yihie be-mazal tov – Congratulations – שיהיה במזל טוב Mazal tov al ha-herayon – Congrats for the pregnancy – מזל טוב על ההריון Mazal tov al ha-dira – Congrats for the apartment – מזל טוב על הדירה Magi’a lecha/lach mazal tov, lo? – You deserve a mazal tov, right? – מגיע לך מזל טוב, לא Brachot – Blessings, greetings – ברכות Ani me’achelet lecha/lach she- – I wish you that – אני מאחלת לך ש Eize kef lishmo’ah – So happy to hear this – איזה כיף לשמוע Eize yoffie – How great- איזה יופי Be-sha’ah tova – Congratulations – בשעה טובה Be’emet be-shaa tova – Congratulations – באמת בשעה טובה Bekarov etslecha/etslech/etslachem – May we celebrate the same thing for you soon – בקרוב אצלך/אצלכם Sam

One of the first things we learn to say in a foreign language is “how much does it cost?” But what if we’re the ones who are selling? We have to know how to “charge” as well. Guy helps us get our heads around all these money matters, including how to tell a shopkeeper that we were mistakenly charged for something. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Kama ze ole lanu? – How much does it cost us? – כמה זה עולה לנו Kama ze ole li ba-shura ha-tachtona? – How much does it cost me, bottom line – כמה זה עולה לי בשורה התחתונה Kama ze ala lecha/lach/lachem? – How much did it cost you? – כמה זה עלה לך/לכם Kama alta ha-arucha? – How much did the meal cost? – כמה עלתה הארוחה Kama ola ha-arucha? – How much does it cost? – כמה עולה הארוחה Kama olot ha-naalayim? – How much do the shoes cost? – כמה עולות הנעליים “Kama ola ahava avuda?” – How much does a lost love cost? – כמה עולה אהבה אבודה Kama ze ya’ale li? – How much will it cost me? – כמה זה יעלה לי Kama ta’ale li ha-mesiba? – How much will

"You guys look so alike, it's crazy!" The Israeli street is all about exclamations, including strangers telling you how much you resemble someone... or not. It's important to understand what's being said, so today host Guy Sharett focuses on the Hebrew word "domé" and its relatives. And what does this all have to do with virtual reality and imagination? Exclusive Content for Patrons   New words & expressions: Hi lo doma le-af achat acheret - She does not resemble anyone else – היא לא דומה לאף אחת אחרת Hu domé la-ima/la-aba – He looks like his mom/dad – הוא דומה לאמא/לאבא Ata ma-ze domé lo – You look so much like him – אתה מה-זה דומה לו Atem ma-ze domim, mamsh copy – You guys look so much alike, carbon copies – אתם מה-זה דומים, ממש קופי Atem davka lo domim – You actually don't look alike – אתם דווקא לא דומים Hu haya dome le-/hu nir'aa kmo – He looked like – הוא היה דומה ל-/הוא נראה כמו Dmuy or – Leather-like – דמוי עור Ve-ulai ze rak nidme li – And maybe it only seems to me – ואולי זה רק נדמה לי Nidmé li s

Asking for the bill is one of the most important things to learn in any language. But "heshbon," in Hebrew, is about much more than just settling the account. On this episode, host Guy Sharett explains how Israelis do self-reflection, how they break even... and how they don't give a damn. Exclusive Content for Patrons   New words & expressions: Heshbon, heshbonot (m.) – Account, bill, arithmetic – חשבון, חשבונות Heshbon bank – Bank account – חשבון בנק Heshbon hotsa'ot – Expense account – חשבון הוצאות Heshbon nefesh - Self-examination – חשבון נפש Lehavi/Lakachat be-heshbon – To take into consideration – להביא/לקחת בחשבון Kach/Kchi/Kchu be-heshbon she… – Take into consideration that…– ...קח/קחי/קחו בחשבון ש Lo ba be-heshbon – No way – לא בא בחשבון Lo la'asot/lidfok heshbon – Not to give a damn – לא לעשות/לדפוק חשבון Ma, ata dofek heshbon le-mishehu? – What, do you care? – ?מה, אתה דופק חשבון למישהו Lisgor heshbon – To get even – לסגור חשבון Hisul heshbonot – Settling accounts – חיסול חשבונות Al heshbon shel

Are you playing by the "klalim"? A "klal" is a rule or regulation, and it's a great Hebrew root to devour together. Host Guy Sharett takes us through all the rules, regulations, generalizations, and exceptions. Exclusive Content for Patrons   New words & expressions: Klal, Klalim – Rule, regulation – כלל, כללים Klalim lechatsiyat kvish – Rules for crossing the road – כללים לחציית כביש Ve-ha-ikar, lo lefahed klal – And the main thing is not to be afraid at all – והעיקר, לא לפחד כלל Be-derkh klal – Usually, in general – בדרך כלל, בד"כ Yotse min ha-klal - Extraordinary, exception (grammar) – יוצא מן הכלל Bli yotse min ha-klal – Without exception – בלי יוצא מן הכלל Kalal – He included – כלל Ma tsarikh likhlol heskem gerushin? – What should a divorce agreement include? – ?מה צריך לכלול הסכם גירושין Ha-mechir lo kolel sherut – The price does not include service fee – המחיר לא כולל שירות Ze kolel/le kolel X – It includes/doesn't include X – X זה כולל/לא כולל Bichlal – At all – בכלל Ma ata bikhlal yodea al ahava?

In Hebrew we like to set meetings, rendezvous, appointments. We use likb'oa, the verb to set, for these actions, plus some interesting nouns coming from this family, ק.ב.ע. Exclusive Content for Patrons   New words & expressions: Eich kov'im ma yihye godel taktsiv ha-medina? – How do they determine the state budget? – ?איך קובעים מה יהיה גודל תקציב המדינה Likbo'a – To set, to determine – לקבוע Misrad ha-otsar – Finance ministry – משרד האוצר Likbo'a pgisha – To schedule an appointment – לקבוע פגישה Likbo'a tor – To set a doctor (or other treatment) appointment – לקבוע תור Az kavanu leyom hamishi – So we scheduled it for Thursday – אז קבענו ליום חמישי Kavati la'asot mashehu im mishehu – I am going to do something with somone – קבעתי לעשות משהו עם מישהו Kavati lir'ot seret im haver – I am going to watch a movie with a friend – קבעתי לראות סרט עם חבר Kavati kvar mashehu / Yesh li kvar mashehu – I've already got something – קבעתי כבר משהו / יש לי כבר משהו Kavati ito le-shmone – I scheduled it for 8 o'clock wit

We have already spoken about what you say in a restaurant or at a café, but what would a waiter say to you? Host Guy Sharett prepares us with the lines that will grace our ears as we sit down for a meal or a quick Tel Avivi bite. Exclusive Content for Patrons   New words & expressions: Bifnim o ba-huts? – Inside or outside? – ?בפנים או בחוץ Lashevet o lakachat – For here or to go? – ?לשבת או לקחת Tafrit – Menu – תפריט Muchanim lehazmin? – Ready to order? – ?מוכנים להזמין Rotsim lehazmin? – Would you guys like to order? – ?רוצים להזמין Atem yod'im ma atem rotsim? – Do you guys know what you'd like? – ?אתם יודעים מה אתם רוצים Ma lishtot? – What would you like to drink – מה לשתות? Tirtsu ha-kol beyahad? – Would you like everything at once? – ?תרצו הכל ביחד Ma she-yotse – Whatever comes out – מה שיוצא Miyad – Immediately – מייד Techef – In a second – תיכף Ha-salat ba-derech – The salad is on its way – הסלט בדרך Ha-salat kvar magi'a – The salad is just coming now – הסלט כבר מגיע Od rega – Just a minute – עוד ר

"Ligmor" means to finish, but also to reach orgasm. So this episode might not be for everybody! Host Guy Sharett explains how to use the root "g.m.r" while playing it safe. Exclusive Content for Patrons   New words & expressions: Ligmor – To finish / reach orgasm – לגמור Lesayem, siyamti – To finish, I finished (not sexual) – לסיים, סיימתי Gamarta (m.), gamart (f.) – You finished / reached orgasm – גמרתָ, גמרתְ Gmira (colloquial), orgazma (formal) – Orgasm – גמירה, אורגזמה Gomrim holchim – "Once we're done, we can go home" – גומרים הולכים Gamar et ha-kariera – Finished his career – גמר את הקריירה Ha-toster haze gamar et ha-kariera shelo – This toaster has reached the end of its life – הטוסטר הזה גמר את הקריירה שלו Zbeng ve-gamarnu – "Bang and we're done" – זבנג וגמרנו Lo gomer ta-chodesh – Does not make ends meet – לא גומר ת'חודש Beseder gamur – Totally fine – בסדר גמור Gamur – Exhausted; crazy – גמור Mami ze nigmar – Darling it's over – מאמי זה נגמר Lehigamer – To be over – להיגמר She-lo yigamer li ha-la

"She'ar" - "the rest," is our week's theme. From the same root we have "lehash'ir" - "to leave," "lehisha'er" - "to stay," and other useful verbs, and of course some spaghetti leftovers from yesterday; host Guy Sharett explains how it's all connected.   Exclusive Content for Patrons   New words & expressions: Ha-she'ar – The rest – השאר She'ar yerakot –  And other things – שאר ירקות Bein ha-sh'ar – Among other things – בין השאר Ve-kol sh'ar ha-dvarim – And all the rest – וכל שאר הדברים Ha-sheket she-nish'ar – The remaining silence – השקט שנשאר Nish'ar spaghetti me-etmol – There's spaghetti left from yesterday – נשאר ספגטי מאתמול Nishar(a) shtiya – There are drinks left – נשאר(ה) שתייה Nish'ar(u) dapim –  There are papers left – נשאר(ו) דפים Nish'ar ba-hayim – He survived – נשאר בחיים Nish'ar kita – He was held back a year – נשאר כיתה Lo nish'ar li koach – I have no energy left – לא נשאר לי כוח Ma nish'ar od laasot – What's still left to do – מה נשאר עוד לעשות Ktsat meshune she-lo nish'art – It's a bit wei

Part of learning a new language is knowing when to speak properly and when you’re free to let loose. Today Guy Sharett explains how to downgrade your upmarket Ulpan Hebrew to street level. EXCLUSIVE CONTENT FOR PATRONS   New words & expressions: Haiyten – You were (pl., f.) – הייתן Ma aten rotsot – What you (pl., f.) want – מה אתן רוצות Eich oto aten mevalbelot – How you (pl., f.) confuse him – איך אותו אתן מבלבלות Tir’u misken – Look at this poor guy – תראו מסכן Ma asiten lo – What you (pl., f.) have done to him – מה עשיתן לו Hayiti rotse lihyot melech shelech – I would have liked to be your king – הייתי רוצה להיות מלך שלך Biti, at bocha o tsocheket – My daughter, are you crying or laughing – בתי, את בוכה או צוחקת Netanya (formal) – Natanya (colloquial) – נתניה Nahariya (formal) – Nahariya (colloquial) – נהריה Madu’a – Why – מדוע Madu’a lo bata ata elay – Why didn’t you come to me – מדוע לא באת אתה אליי Heichan – Where – היכן Me’ayin – From where – מאין Ha-im – Question word – האם Ka’asher – When – כאשר

The root "nun-pei-lamed" is all about falling - "lipol" means "to fall." It's used in so many different expressions it can be easy to forget where it came from. Host Guy Sharett takes us through the most common usages, taking us from meteors to waterfalls to shooting down planes.   Exclusive content     New words & expressions: Nafalta hazak – You went down hard – נפלת חזק Kochav nofel – Falling star; shooting star; meteor – כוכב נופל Lipol – To fall – ליפול Ma nafalt alay? – How did you suddenly come into my life? – ?מה נפלת עליי Nafalti al mis'ada tova – I stumbled upon a good restaurant – נפלתי על מסעדה טובה Ma hu nafal alay achshav? – Why did he come to me with this now? (negative) – ?מה הוא נפל עליי עכשיו Ma nafal aleycha ha-yom? – What's the matter with you today? – ?מה נפל עליך היום Nafalta al ha-sechel/ha-rosh? – Are you out of your mind? – ?נפלת על השכל/הראש Ze/hu yipol – It/he will fall – זה/הוא יפול Im yipol ha-kochav sheli – If my star falls – אם ייפול הכוכב שלי Eize nefila – What a flop – איז

The root "het-bet-bet," which gives us the word "habibi," is all about affection. Host Guy Sharett explains what it's got to do with gay Tel Avivi speech and Ashdod in the 80's.   Exclusive content   New words & expressions: Ya habibi – Oh my darling – יא חבּיבּי Habibi - Mate, dude (addressing a man) - חביבי Lird – Good looking guy – לירד Habib/a (Arabic) – Darling – חבּיבּ/ה Haviv/a – Pleasant – חביב/ה Haya haviv – It was nice – היה חביב Acharon acharon haviv – Last but not least – אחרון אחרון חביב Hu hovev tango – He likes tango – הוא חובב טנגו Hu hovev mevugarot – He likes older girls – הוא חובב מבוגרות Hi hovevet ktinim – She likes younger guys – היא חובבת קטינים Zamarim hovevim – Amateur singers – זמרים חובבים Ani dvarim ka'ele mehabev – I like these kinds of things – אני דברים כאלה מחבב Lehabev – To like – לחבב Lehithabev al – To become beloved – להתחבב על Hu hithabev al kulam – He became beloved by everybody – הוא התחבב על כולם Tahbiv – Hobby – תחביב Hiba – Affection – חיבה Shem/Kinuy hiba – Pet n

As soon as you get close to the root קרב ("k.r.b") you realize there's much to learn: From family members to boxing matches to intestines. Host Guy Sharett helps us make sense of it all, including how it relates to the Aussie TV show "Home and Away."   Exclusive content   New words & expressions: Nachon at krova – It's true, you're close – נכון את קרובה Karov, krova, krovim, krovot – Close – קרוב, קרובה, קרובים, קרובות Krov mishpacha (karov) – Family member; relative – קרוב משפחה Ve'ani shoelet oto im hu yachol laazor li limtso et krovey ha-mishpacha shelanu bi-shchem – And I ask him whether he can help me to find our relatives in Nablus – ואני שואלת אותו אם הוא יכול לעזור לי למצוא את קרובי המשפחה שלנו בשכם Kirvat dam – Blood relation – קרבת דם Karov rachok – Distant relative – קרוב רחוק Be-karov – Soon – בקרוב Mi-karov – Closely – מקרוב Lekarev – To bring closer – לקרב Ata yachol lekarev et ha-salat ktsat? – Could you move the salad a bit closer (to me)? – ?אתה יכול לקרב את הסלט קצת Mekoravim – Cronies,