Uncategorized 10 Hebrew Phrases Alyssa uses Often
By Young Judaea
- “Ani rotzah cafe kar eem kerach, bevakasha” – I want a cold coffee with ice, please! Anyone who has been to Israel knows that “ice cafe” refers to the slushy, Starbucks Frappucino-like drink that is more like a dessert than a morning caffeine fix. Contrary to popular belief, “Americanized iced coffee” is available at Aroma and a multitude of other places — you just need to ask for cold coffee with ice!
- “Eifo l’shirutim?” – Where’s the bathroom? This one is very important to know. Though I’ve mastered the art of asking for the location of the bathroom in Hebrew, I can never understand people’s answers. Maybe it is time to learn the Hebrew words for “left” and “right”…
- “Ani lomedet Ivrit b’universitah, aval ani lo medaberet Ivrit tov” – I study Hebrew at university, but I don’t speak Hebrew well. I struggle to hold a basic Hebrew conversation. I can, however, tell you that my Hebrew is sucky in perfect Hebrew. You win some, you lose some, nachon (true)?
- “Cacha chacha” – So-so This is my answer when people ask me how my Hebrew is. Slicha (sorry), its not tov meod (very good)
- “Atah medaber Anglit?” – Do you speak English? Hey, at least I asked you in Hebrew. That’s a start, isn’t it?
- “Yesh li tabaot im hamsot?” – Do you have rings with Hamsas? I am on the hunt for the perfect hamsa ring, so I took my search to the next level by learning how to say it in Hebrew.
- “AVOTIACH! ANAVIM! TOOTIM! TAPOOZIM! ESHCOLIOT!” – Watermelon! Grapes! Strawberries! Oranges! Grapefruits! If I learned nothing else in Hebrew class, I learned how to say my fruits. I exercise my knowledge every time I go to a grocery store or shuk (market) by pointing and screaming. It will never get old, I promise.
- “Lo” – No If you were ever told that the word “no” is universal, you were lied to. Here in Israel, when you are opposed to something, you say “lo.” I have started to use this one instinctively; does that mean I am turning into an Israeli?
- “Ani ohevet otach, Yisrael!” – I love you, Israel! Oh Israel, I love you and your beautiful sights, the fact that I can buy as much wine as my little heart desires with my real ID (which you don’t even ask for 98% of the time) while inside your borders, your hot soldiers, and basically everything else about you.
- “Sababa, habibi” – Cool, bro Sababa is the Hebrew word for “cool,” and obviously its a hundred times as cool as the word cool is. Habibi refers to a friend, but I always see it as “bro” or “babe.” Was that translation sababa, habibi?
