Streetwise Hebrew

The word נגד means against, and its root gives us the Hebrew words for contrast, contradiction and conflict. We’ll also head over to the Knesset in Jerusalem to hear an up or down vote take place. Hear the All-Hebrew Version of This Episode   New Words and Expressions: Neged – Against, nay – נגד  Be’ad – For, yea – בעד Hatsba’ah ba-knesset – A vote in the knesset – הצבעה בכנסת Haver knesset – Member of Knesset – חבר כנסת Lihyot be’ad/neged – To be for or against – להיות בעד/נגד Ani be’ad/neged – I am for/against – אני בעד/נגד Hayiti be’ad/neged – I was for/against – הייתי בעד/נגד Trufot savta neged hitkarerut – Grandma’s remedies against the cold – תרופות סבתא נגד התקררות Kampeyn neged shtiya – A campaign against drinking – קמפיין נגד שתייה Holech neged ha-ru’ach – Going against the wind – הולך נגד הרוח Neged declined with pronouns:  Negdi – Against me -נגדי Negdecha, negdech, negdo, negda, negdenu, negdechem, negdam – נגדך, נגדך, נגדו, נגדה, נגדנו, נגדכם, נגדם Lama kulam negdi – Why is everybody against me –

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-Hebrew Episode New Words and Expressions: Colloquial names of Hebrew letters – Daled, Hey, Yud, Pei, Tsadik, Kuf, Taf – ד, ה, י, פ, צ, ק, ת Si’anit ha-kri’a ha-tseira shel tel aviv-yafo – The youngest record holder reader of the city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa – שיאנית הקריאה הצעירה של תל אביב יפו Kef li likro sifrei fantazia, aval ani ohevet gam sifrei mada bidyoni – Reading fantasy books is fun, but I also like science fiction – כיף לי לקרוא ספרי פנטזיה, אבל אני אוהבת גם ספרי מדע בדיוני Structure: Kef le + mishehu + Inf.  Hi koret be-chelek gadol me-ha-zman she-hi era – She reads during a big part of the time in which she’s aw

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 zkukim le-nechama – We really need consolation – כה זקוקים לנחמה Nechama – Comfort, consolation – נחמה NeCHAma – Female first name – נחמה MenaCHEM – He comforts – מנחם MeNAchem – First name – מנחם Ochel menachem – Comfort food – אוכל מנחם Ha-ochel mesapek chavaya chushit neima, menachemet – This food provides a pleasant sensual experience, comforting – האוכל מספק חוויה חושית נעימה, מנחמת Aruchat boker menachemet – Comforting breakfast – ארוחת בוקר מנחמת Aval ani menachemet et atsmi be-kafe – But I comfort myself with coffee – אבל אני מנחמת את עצמי בקפה Bamba haita menachemet oti achshav – Bamba would have comforted me

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 the All-Hebrew Version of This Episode   New Words and Expressions: Bitul ha-hofesh ha-gadol – Cancellation of the summer school holiday – ביטול החופש הגדול Va’ada – Committee – ועדה “Kabel/kabli bitul” – Scratch that, abort – קבל/קבלי ביטול Kabel bitul al ha-kafe, tsats mashehu – Abort the coffee, something came up – קבל ביטול על הקפה, צץ משהו Kaftor bitul – Cancel button – כפתור ביטול Mediniut bitulim – Cancellation policy – מדיניות ביטולים Dmei bitul – A cancellation fee – דמי ביטול Bitulim – Cancellations – ביטולים Levatel et ha-hafsakot – To cancel school breaks – לבטל את ההפסקות Slicha, ani tsarich/tsricha lev

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 okay. The most important part is not letting your fear stop you from trying. Speaking Hebrew is and forever will be fun and exciting.   Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode   New Words and Expressions: Yare’ach – Moon – ירח Re’ach – Smell – ריח Ke’ev garon – Throat ache – כאב גרון Ga’on – Genius – גאון Ani shmena – I am fat – אני שמנה Shament – Cream – שמנת Shament chamutsa – Sour cream – שמנת חמוצה Ani mechoeret – I am ugly – אני מכוערת Ani me’acheret – I am late – אני מאחרת Le’acher – To be late – לאחר Rachatsti – I washed – רחצתי Ratsachti – I murdered – רצחתי Lachfof se’ar – To wash the hair – לחפוף שיע

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 something from someone – לדרוש משהו ממישהו Anashim dorshim ha’alaat sachar – People demand a pay raise – אנשים דורשים העלאת שכר Hi doreshet leshalem la – She demands to be paid – היא דורשת לשלם לה Hi doreshet she-yeshalmu la – She demands to be paid – היא דורשת שישלמו לה Doresh/doreshet stira – “Begs to be smacked” – דורש/דורשת סטירה Partsuf doresh stira – A face in need of a slap (Backpfeifengesicht) – פרצוף דורש סטירה Drisha, drishot – Request, demand – דרישה, דרישות Drishat tashlum – Payment request – דרישת תשלום Lavo le-mishehu be-drishot – To come to someone with demands – לבוא למישהו בדרישות Drishot ha-tafkid

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 – Boundaries at school – גבולות בבית הספר Az ani bati ve-amarti “rabotai, yesh gvulot” – And I came and said, “gentlemen, there are boundaries” – אז אני באתי ואמרתי, “רבותי, יש גבולות” “Kshe-samim lo gvulot, ein shum siba ba-olam, she-hu yamshich lehitnaheg be-ofen lo na’im ve-lo yafe” – When you set boundaries for him, there is no reason in the world that he will continue to misbehave – כששמים לו גבולות, אין שום סיבה בעולם שהוא ימשיך להתנהג באופן לא נעים או לא יפה Lehatsiv/lasim gvulot le-mishehu – To set boundaries for someone – להציב/לשים גבולות למישהו “Ein shum ra’ash she-ya’atsor o yagbil oti” – There is no noise tha

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-mishehu/lo – Serves him right – זה מגיע למישהו/לו Magi’a le-eli – Eli deserves it – מגיע לאלי Lo yafe, lama ata omer she-magi’a lo – It’s not nice to say these things, why do you say he deserves it – לא יפה, למה אתה אומר שמגיע לו Lama ze magi’a li – Why do I deserve it – למה זה מגיע לי Lo higi’a la – She didn’t deserve it – לא הגיע לה Shanim she-lo shamati shum davar mimena – For years I haven’t heard a thing from her – שנים לא שמעתי שום דבר ממנה Lo shamati me-Racheli klum – I haven’t heard anything from Racheli – לא שמעתי מרחלי כלום Gam ani lo shamati klum mimena – I, too, haven’t heard anything from her – גם אני לא שמעתי

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 – תרגילי נשימה  Targilei kol – Voice exercises – תרגילי קול Hayom anachnu na’ase kama targilim bi-myuchad la-davar ha-ze – Today we’ll do a few exercises, especially for this thing – היום אנחנו נעשה כמה תרגילים, במיוחד לדבר הזה Ze targil tov le-chizuk ha-beten – This is a good exercise to strengthen the stomach – זה תרגיל טוב לחיזוק הבטן “Tsarich laasot gam kama targilei squatim ve-mishkolot” – You also need to do a few squat and weight lifting exercises – צריך לעשות גם כמה תרגילי סקוואטים ומשקולות Lo chayavim la-targil ha-ze mishkolot bichlal – One doesn’t need weights for this exercise at all – לא חייבים לתרגיל הזה משקולו

‘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 אכפת לי Ma omrim alai – What they say about me – מה אומרים עליי Eich omrim “wi-fi” be-ivrit? – How do you say ‘wi-fi’ in Hebrew? – ?איך אומרים ויי-פיי בעברית Yesh Dvarim she-lo osim – There are things you shouldn’t do – יש דברים שלא עושים Lo ochlim lifnei she-shotfim yadayim – You don’t eat before washing your hands – לא אוכלים לפני ששוטפים ידיים Lo no’alim sandalim al ha-garbayim – You don’t wear sandals on your socks – לא נועלים סנדלים על הגרביים Nish’arim ba-bayit, nish’arim ba-chayim – Staying at home, staying alive – נשארים בבית, נשארים בחיים Lo me’archim, lo mit’archim – You are not to host others, you are not to

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-mishehu + age  Mal’u lo shloshim – He turned 30 – מלאו לו 30 Mal’u li arba’im – I turned 40 – מלאו לי 40 Mal’u la shesh – She turned six – מלאו לה שש Hu ben 40 – He is 40 – הוא בן 40 Hu chogeg 40 – He is celebrating 40 – הוא חוגג 40 Hu higi’a le-gil 40 – He reached the age of 40 – הוא הגיע לגיל 40 20 shana mal’u la-hatima al heskem ha-shalom im yarden – 20 years since the signing of the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan – 20 שנה מלאו לחתימה על הסכם השלום עם ירדן Memalé makom – Substitute, stand-in – ממלא מקום Lemalé – To fill – למלא Makom – place – מקום Lemalé tofes – To fill out a form – למלא טופס Temalé et ha-tofe

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 full moon nights – אני זוכר בלילות של ירח מלא   “Ani makpida lehagid she-ani shmena, ani lo mele’a, o mele’a ba-mekomot ha-nechonim” – I insist on saying that I am fat, I am not chubby, or full in the right places.” – אני מקפידה להגיד שאני שמנה, אני לא מלאה במקומות הנכונים   Bachur malé – Chubby guy – בחור מלא   Bachura mele’ah – Chubby girl – בחורה מלאה   “Banot pashut hayu yoter mele’ot” – Girls simply used to be curvier – בנות פשוט היו יותר מלאות   “Ve-ze nechshav la-yofi ha-ultimativi” – And it was considered the ultimate beauty – וזה נחשב ליופי האולטימטיבי   Mele’im ad efes makom – Filled to capacity – מלאים עד אפס

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 li tochniyot” – It’s eight o’clock, I don’t have plans – השעה שמונה, אין לי תוכניות Ma ha-tochniyot? – What are the plans? – מה התוכניות “Tiyul, avoda, limudim” – Trip, work, studies – טיול, עבודה, לימודים Tochnit radio – Radio show – תוכנית רדיו Tochnit televizya – TV program – תכנית טלוויזיה Tochniyot metsi’ut – Reality show – תוכנית מציאות “Lama at mit’akeshet letachnen li ta-chayim” – Why do you insist on planning my life – למה את מתעקשת לתכנן לי ת’חיים Letachnen – To plan – לתכנן Tichnun – Planning, designing – תכנון Ma ha-tichnunim le-shabbat – What are the plans for Saturday – מה התכנונים לשבת Ma ha-tichnunim

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 koach – I don’t have the energy – אין לי כוח Ein li koach elav/eleha – I don’t have energy for him/her – אין לי כוח אליו/אליה Yesh lecha/lach koach liftoach et ze? – Are you strong enough to open this? – יש לך כוח לפתוח את זה? Ein li koach le-mischakim – I don’t have the energy for games – אין לי כוח למשחקים Mis’chakim shel koach / mis’chakei koach – Power games – משחקים של כוח, משחקי כוח Hetsi ko’ach – “Half power”, disappointing – חצי כוח Koach elyon – Force majeure – כוח עליון Yishar koach – Good job, well done – יישר כוח Yishar koach > shokoyach (Yiddish) – Good job – יישכוייח, יישר כוח Koach ha-meshicha – Gravity –

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 lehidabek me-havilot she-magi’ot mi-sin? - Could we get infected from packages that arrive from China? - ?האם ניתן להידבק מחבילות שמגיעות מסין Lehidabek be-Corona me-havilot - To get Corona from packages - להידבק בקורונה מחבילות Lehidabek be-X mi-Y - To get X from Y - להידבק במשהו ממישהו Tizaher/tizahari lo lehidabek - Be careful as to not get infected - תיזהר/תיזהרי לא להידבק Ani lo rotse/rotsa lehidabek - I don’t want to be infected - אני לא רוצה להידבק Lehibadek - To be tested - להיבדק Hadbaka - Contagion - הדבקה Hayu mikrim shel hadbakot - There were cases of contagion - היו מקרים של הדבקות Otsrim et sharsheret ha-

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 this Episode New Words and Expressions: Madchom - Thermometer - מדחום “Anachnu omrim le-kol ha-anashim she-yesh lahem chom…” - We tell all the people who have a fever... - אנחנו אומרים לכל האנשים שיש להם חום Yesh/Ein li chom - I have a fever/I have no fever - יש / אין לי חום “Kshe-at modedet kama ani noten” - When you measure how much I give - כשאת מודדת כמה אני נותן Limdod chom - To check the temperature - למדוד חום Medidat chom - Temperature check - מדידת חום Ta medida - Fitting room - תא מדידה Medidat chom / Bdikat chom - Checking the temperature - מדידת חום / בדיקת חום Bo ani emdod lecha chom, Boi ani emdod lach

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 home in Shanghai - אני בבידוד בבית Hesger - Quarantine - הסגר “Ne’elatsim lehikanes le-bidud” - We have to get into quarantine - נאלצים להיכנס לבידוד “Ve-im kvar bidud, az she-yihye be-style” - If it’s already quarantine, it should be with style - ואם כבר בידוד, אז שיהיה בסטייל “Anachnu mevudadim me-ha-olam” - We’re isolated from the world - אנחנו מבודדים מהעולם “Aval yesh lanu et ha-teva shelanu” - But we have our piece of nature - אבל יש לנו את הטבע שלנו “Mevudadim” - People who are in quarantine - מבודדים Bayit mevudad - Isolated house - בית מבודד Levoded - To isolate - לבודד Bidud - Isolation, quarantine, insulation

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 she-hayim zormim” - Just believe that life goes on - תאמין שהחיים זורמים Mayim zormim - Running water - מים זורמים Mayim omdim -Stagnant water - מים עומדים Lenahel sicha zoremet - To have a flowing conversation - לנהל שיחה זורמת Ani rotsa she-toridu et ha-filterim, ve-kacha ha-sichot shelachem yihyu harbe yoter zormot ve-me’anyenot - I’d like you to take off the filters, and in this way your conversations will be more flowing and interesting - אני רוצה שתורידו את הפילטרים וככה השיחות שלכם יהיו הרבה יותר זורמות ומעניינות Ani zorem - I am flexible, I “flow” - אני זורם Nu, zrom iti - Come on, work with me here - נו, זרום

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-homo’im ve-ha-lesbiot tsa’adu ha-yom be-tel aviv’ - The gays and lesbians marched today in Tel Aviv - ההומואים והלסביות צעדו היום בתל אביב Hamburger, Hamburgerim - Hamburger, hamburgers - המבורגר, המבורגרים Radiatorim - Radiators - רדיאטורים Snob, Snobit, Snobim, Snobiyot - Snob - סנוב, סנובית, סנובים, סנוביות Mail, mailim - E-mail, e-mails (also: E-mail address) - מייל, מיילים “Im mishehu mishtalet lanu al ha-mail” - “If someone takes over our email” - אם מישהו משתלט לנו על המייל “Hu yachol lehishtalet lanu al ha-hayim dei be-kalut” - “He can take control of our life quite easily” - הוא יכול להשתלט לנו על החיים די בקלות K

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 sharvuli” - One guy tore my sleeve - בחור אחד קרע את שרוולי U-me-az ha-sharvul sheli karu’a - And since then, my sleeve is torn - ומאז השרוול שלי קרוע Meitar karu’a - A torn string - מיתר קרוע Hu ma-ze karu’a - He’s a bit crazy - הוא מה-זה קרוע Ani karu’a me-ayefut - I am dead tired - אני קרוע מעייפות Ha-lev sheli nikra le-shnayim - My heart is/was torn in two - הלב שלי נקרע לשניים Lehikara - To be torn - להיקרע Rak she-lo yikara - I just hope it won’t tear - רק שלא ייקרע Ze yikara ba-sof - It will tear at the end - זה ייקרע בסוף Mashehu kore’a - Something funny - משהו קורע Kore’a mi-ts’hok - Hilarious - קורע מצחוק Eize