Streetwise Hebrew

The Hebrew words שומר, משמרת, שמירה, משמר, all come from the same shoresh, שמר. On this episode, Guy continues where he left off in the previous episode with the shoresh שמר and, along the way, explains how to avoid embarrassing moments when you're about to shake hands in Israel. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Strudel – @ sign – שטרודל Shomrim – Guards – שומרים Shmira – Guarding, keeping – שמירה Shmirat shabbat – Keeping the Sabbath – שמירת שבת Shmirat negi'ah – Not touching a member of the opposite sex – שמירת נגיעה Shomer negi'ah – A person who does not touch a member of the opposite sex – שומר נגיעה Shmira al kesher – Keeping in touch – שמירה על קשר Lishmor al kesher – Keep in touch – לשמור על קשר Kelev shmira – Guard dog – כלב שמירה Mishmeret laila – Night shift – משמרת לילה Be-mishmarot – In shifts – במשמרות Mishmeret bet / mishmeret shniya – Second shift – משמרת ב', משמרת שנייה Hi ovedet (be-)mishmarot – She works in shifts – היא עובדת משמרות Ha-avoda be-mishmarot – The work is in shifts – העבודה במשמרות Shmurat teva – Nature reserve – שמורת טבע Pakach shmurat teva – Park ranger – פקח שמורת טבע Rashut Ha-teva ve-ha-ganim – Israel Nature and Parks Authority – רשות הטבע והגנים Ha-mishmar ha-ezrachi – Neighbourhood watch – המשמר האזרחי Laamod al ha-mishmar – To stand guard – לעמוד על המשמר Shmardaf – Sleeve for papers – שמרדף Playlist and Clips: Idan Raichel's Project – Hinech Yafa (lyrics) Shomer negi'ah Benzin – Mishmeret Laila (lyrics) Be-mishmarot – In shifts Shmurat teva – Nature reserve Ha-mishmar ha-ezrachi – Neighborhood watch Mishmar Ha-mifrats – Bay Watch Shmirat negi'ah – Wikipedia

The Hebrew word שימור (shimur) is an interesting one. We use שימור to say canned goods, the preservation of historic buildings, and even customer retention. Guy explains. Bonus: A rare Yemenite song for Hanukkah. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Galut – Exile, diaspora – גלות Shimur ha-tarbut ha-teimanit – Conservation of the Yemenite culture – שימור התרבות התימנית Meshamer – Conserving – משמר Meshamer et avodat ha-tsorfut ha-atika shel yehudei teiman – He conserves the ancient goldsmith craft of the Yemenite Jews – משמר את עבודת הצורפות העתיקה של יהודי תימן Leshamer et ha-tarbut ha-teimanit – To conserve the Yemenite culture – לשמר את התרבות התימנית Shimur mivnim – The conservation of historic buildings – שימור מבנים Mivne le-shimur – A building for conservation – מבנה לשימור Kufsaot shimurim ('Shimurim') – Canned food – קופסאות שימורים "Shimurei nun, re'uyim le-emun" – "The Noon preserved foods deserve your trust" – שימורי נון, ראויים לאמון Shimurei tiras – Canned corn – שימורי תירס Kufsat shimurei tiras – A tin of preserved corn – קופסת שימורי תירס Slicha, efo ha-shimurim? – Excuse me, where is the row with the preserved food? – ?סליחה, איפה השימורים Homer meshamer – Preservative – חומר משמר Lelo homer meshamer – Without preservatives – ללא חומר משמר Shimur lakochot – Client retention – שימור לקוחות Hem menasim leshamer lakochot be-chol mechir – They try to retain customers at all costs – הם מנסים לשמר לקוחות בכל מחיר Playlist and Clips: Zot Ha-moreshet Sheli – Yemen Shimur mivnim in TLV Pirsomet – Shimurim (1963) Pirsomet – Le-lo homer meshamer A Yemenite song for Hanukkah

In Hebrew, שירה means singing. It can also be used to mean poetry. It depends on the context. On this episode, Guy reviews the words that stem from the root ש/י/ר and several well-known phrases that make use of them. Check Out the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Nurit – Buttercup – נורית Agav – Speaking of, apropos – אגב Shira – Singing, Poetry – שירה Shira be-tsibur – Singalong – שירה בציבור Ha-cohenet ha-gdola – The high priestess – הכוהנת הגדולה Meshorer, meshoreret – Poet – משורר, משוררת Le-ma Hitkaven Ha-meshorer? – What did the poet mean? – ?למה התכוון המשורר Festival Ha-Zemer Ve-ha-pizmon Ha-israeli – The Israel song festival – פסטיבל הזמר והפזמון הישראלי Zemer – A song – זמר Pizmon – The chorus section of a song – פזמון "Ve-ha-zamar yezamer" – And the singer will sing – והזמר יזמר Zamar, zameret – Singer – זמר, זמרת Hu yezamer ba-chakira – He's going to sing like a bird in the interrogation – הוא יזמר בחקירה Machazemer (pl. machazot zemer) – A musical (machaze+zemer) – מחזמר Mizmor – Hymn, chant – מזמור Zamrir – Jingle – זמריר Playlist and Clips: Nurit Galron – Ma Yihye Be-sofenu (lyrics) Sarale Sharon – Shira be-tsibur Eliyahu Ha-cohen's post Einat Saruf – Shira be-tsibur Leah Goldberg – Mechora Sheli Le-ma Hitkaven Ha-meshorer Festival Ha-Zemer Ve-ha-pizmon Ha-israeli The Israel Song Festival (Wikipedia) The Revivo Project – Od Yom Yavo (lyrics) Hanny Nahmias – Dvarim She-oti Mesamchim (lyrics) Shlishiyat Af-Ozen-Garon – Sarah shara shir same'ach (lyrics) Guy's playlists Ep. 219 (negina)

What do courage, poor acting, and pet adoption have to do with one other? They have the same Hebrew root אמצ. On this episode, Guy explains the word אומץ, courage, and its root. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Omets – Courage – אומץ Kibalti/tafasti/azarti omets – I mustered up my courage – קיבלתי אומץ Eize omets – How brave – איזה אומץ Ein li et ha-omets lehagid lach – I don't have the courage to tell you – אין לי את האומץ להגיד לך Kama she-ani ohev otach – how much I love you – כמה שאני אוהב אותך Yesh lecha omets laasot mashehu – You've got the courage to do something – יש לך אומץ לעשות משהו Ein li omets – I have no stomach for something, I don't dare to do it – אין לי אומץ Mivchan omets – A dare – מבחן אומץ Amits, amitsa – Brave – אמיץ, אמיצה Ma'amats acharon – Last effort – מאמץ אחרון Lehafsik le'amets et ha-kol – Stop straining your voice – להפסיק לאמץ את הקול Imuts klavim – Adoption of dogs – אימוץ כלבים Le'amets klavim – To adopt dogs – לאמץ כלבים "Ben adam, tit'amets" – "Dude, strive higher!" – בנאדם, תתאמץ Lehitamets – To endeavor, to strain oneself – להתאמץ Al tit'amets/tit'amtsi/titamtsu – Don't work too hard, don't put too much work into it – אל תתאמץ, תתאמצי, תתאמצו "Freestyle, ma she-ba" – Freestyle, whatever comes" – פריסטייל, מה שבא Lo mit'amets yoter midai – I don't try too hard – לא מתאמץ יותר מדיי Eich efshar la'asot look she-nir'ah super mit'amets, aval be-efes ma'amats – How you can create a great look, but with zero effort – איך אפשר לעשות לוק שנראה סופר מתאמץ, אבל באפס מאמץ Ha-mis'chak mit'amets midai – The acting was not natural – המשחק היה מתאמץ מדיי Hu Tipa mit'amets midai – He's trying a bit too hard – הוא טיפה מתאמץ מדיי Playlist and Clips: Shlomo Artsi – Omets (lyrics) The Ultras – Ein li et ha-omets (lyrics) Amitsa – Brave, trailer Shlomo Gronich & Shva Choir – Ha-masa Le-erets Israel (lyrics) Lehafsik le'amets et ha-kol Imuts klavim – to adopt dogs Arik Einstein – Sus Ets (lyrics) Lo mit'amets yoter midai Look she-nir'ah mit'amets, be-efes ma'amats (makeup)

There are several confusing verbs in Hebrew. Some are even spelled the same. This is an episode that you will want to follow along with the show notes as you listen. We wouldn't want to cause any more confusion! Check Out the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: "Tamid ohev, tamid nifga" – He always loves, he always gets hurt – תמיד אוהב, תמיד נפגע Nifga, he gets hurt, nif'al, present, 3rd person, singular, masculine, shoresh: פגע Ma na'ase achshav, nipaga o nitgaber – What shall we do now, will we get hurt or overcome – מה נעשה עכשיו, ניפגע או נתגבר Nipaga, we will get hurt, ניפגע, nif'al, future, 1st person, plural, shoresh: פגע "Kol echad yelamed echad" – Each person will teach another – כל אחד ילמד אחד Yelamed, ילמד, he will teach, piel, future, 3rd person, singular, shoresh: למד "Mi she-yilmad eich lilmod, yisrod" – A person who will learn how to learn, will survive – מי שילמד איך ללמוד, ישרוד Yilmad, ילמד, he will learn, pa'al, future, 3rd person, singular, shoresh: למד Kol lekach ve-lekach yilamed – Every lesson will be learned – כל לקח ולקח יילמד Yilamed, will be learned, יילמד: Nif'al, future, 3rd person, singular, shoresh: למד Kol de'a tishama – Every opinion will be heard – כל דעה תישמע Playlist and Clips: Iggi Waxman – Tamid Ohev, Tamid Nifga (lyrics) Shai360 & Chulu – Kol Echad Yelamed Echad (lyrics) Mi she-yilmad eich lilmod, yisrod Kol lekach yilamed The Academy of the Hebrew Language – Verbs Conjugation

In Hebrew, we say, ?נפגעת ממני (Were you offended by me?) We can also say, ?פגעתי בך (Did I offend you?) And even though these two basically mean the same thing, the way we use them in spoken Hebrew determines who is to blame, the speaker or the spoken to. Guy explains. Check Out the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Hu nifga – He was hit, hurt – הוא נפגע Nifga, nifga'im – Casualty, casualties – נפגע, נפגעים Yesh nifgaim – There are casualties – יש נפגעים "Mi-tchilat ha-shana ha-nochechit, nifge'u ke-2000 rochvei ofanayim ve-korkinetim hashmaliyim" – Since the beginning of this year, were hit all throughout Israel, about two thousand riders of bicycles and electric scooters" – מתחילת השנה הנוכחית נפגעו כ-2000 רוכבי אופניים וקורקינטיים חשמליים "Me'a achuz me-hanifga'im, she-niftgeu kashe, im habalt rosh kasha, lo havshu kasda" – 100 per cent of the casualties who were badly hit, resulting in severe head injury, were not wearing a helmet" – מאה אחוז מהנפגעים שנפגעו קשה, עם חבלת ראש קשה, לא חבשו קסדה "Ha-im sam ha-ecstasy yachol lesaye'a be-tipul be-nifge'ei post trauma?" – Can the drug ecstasy help in treatment of post trauma patients? – ?האם סם האקסטזי יכול לסייע בטיפול בנפגעי פוסט טראומה Yom ha-zikaron le-halalei ma'archot israel u-le-nifg'ei peulot ha-eiva – The memorial day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel, and for the Victims of Actions of Terrorism – יום הזיכרון לחללי מערכות ישראל ולנפגעי פעולות האיבה Nifgeot tkifa minit – Sexual assault victims – נפגעות תקיפה מינית Nifgati – I was hurt, offended – נפגעתי Nifgati mi-mishehu – I was offended by someone – נפגעתי ממישהו Hu ma-ze nifga – He was so offended – הוא מה-זה נפגע Hi ma-ze nifge'a mi-ma she-hu amar – She was so offended by what he said – היא מה-זה נפגעה ממה שהוא אמר Nifgata / Nifgat mimeni? – Were you hurt by me? – ?נפגעת ממני Pagati becha / bach? – Did I offend you? – ?פגעתי בך Lehipaga – To be hurt – להיפגע Lo tsarich lehipaga – One doesn't need to get hurt – לא צריך להיפגע Ma yesh li lehipaga? – Why should I be offended? – ?מה יש לי להיפגע Timchak, efshar lehipaga mi-davar kaze – Delete (the tweet), one might be offended by this – תמחק, אפשר להיפגע מדבר כזה Playlist and Clips: Nifga'im, casualties – KAN TV Nifge'ei trauma – KAN TV Nifge'ei peulot ha-eiva Nifgaot tkifa minit Nifgati – I was offended Arkadi Duchin – Heder Mi-sheli (lyrics) Rita – Mechaka (lyrics)

How do we say, "I don't want to offend you" in Hebrew? How about "bullseye"? Or perhaps "fragile"? On this episode, Guy covers the verb לפגוע (lifgo'a), meaning to hurt, and its usage in everyday Hebrew. Check Out the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: "Pachot ve-adayin, adayin poge'a" – It's hurting less, but it's still hurting – פחות ועדיין, עדיין פוגע Pagata be-emun ha-tsibur – You hurt, you undermined, the public's trust – פגעת באמון הציבור Pagata be-khol ma she-efshar – You hurt, you hit every possible thing – פגעת בכל מה שאפשר Lifgoa be-mishehu – To hurt someone – לפגוע במישהו Pagata bi – You hurt me – פגעת בי Ani lo rotse lifgoa becha/bach – I don't want to hurt you – אנ'לא רוצה לפגוע בך An'lo rotse/rotsa lifgo'a o mashu – I don't want to offend or something – אנ'לא רוצה לפגוע או משהו Slicha im pagati – Sorry if I hurt you – סליחה אם פגעתי Te'unot paga u-varach – Hit and run accidents – תאונות פגע וברח Te'unat paga u-varach – Hit and run accident – תאונת פגע וברח Pgi'ah – Harm, injury – פגיעה Pgi'ah ba-gav – Back injury – פגיעה בגב Pgi'ah yeshira – Direct hit – פגיעה ישירה Pagu'a – Hurt – פגוע "Pagu'a ve-koev" – "Hurt and hurting" – פגוע וכואב Pgu'a nefesh, mitmoded nefesh – A person with mental disabilities – פגוע נפש, מתמודד נפש Pagi'a, pgi'ah – Vulnerbable – פגיע, פגיעה Shavir – Fragile – שביר Zamin – Available – זמין Hu lo mesugal lifgo'a be-zvuv – He couldn't hurt a fly – הוא לא מסוגל לפגוע בזבוב Paga bul – Hit the target directly, spot on, bingo – פגע בול Pega ra – Pest – פגע רע Playlist and Clips: Yehuda Poliker – Pachot Aval Ko'ev (lyrics) Underdos – Slicha Im Pagati Te'unat paga u-varach Pgi'ah yeshira – Direct hit Avi Biter – Pagu'a Ve-ko'ev (lyrics) Dudu Tassa – Ani Rats (lyrics)

What do we mean when we say קפה מחוזק (roughly translated as strengthened coffee), and is it legitimate to drink it at 1:30 PM? Or when we say הוא מתחזק (he's getting stronger) about someone? It's not what you might think. Check Out the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Eich lechazek et kol ha-rosh – How to strengthen the head voice – איך לחזק את קול הראש Lehazek – Strengthen – לחזק Tsarich lechazek et ha-shimshiya lifnei ha-sufa – We need to tie the parasol down before the storm – צריך לחזק את השמשייה לפני הסופה Lehazek haver be-sha'ah kasha – To support a friend during hard times – לחזק חבר בשעה קשה Hizuk hiyuvi (het-het) – Positive reinforcement – חיזוק חיובי Idud talmidim – Encouraging students – עידוד תלמידים Matan hizukim – Giving validations – מתן חיזוקים "Yafe yonatan, tsarich lehatchil mi-ze" – Good job, Yonatan, this is where you need to start – יפה, יונתן, צריך להתחיל מזה "Nachon, metsuyan, toda raba" – Correct, excellent, thanks – נכון, מצויין, תודה רבה Mechuzak – Strengthened, fortified, reinforced, empowered – מחוזק "Pizza mechuzeket" – Upgraded pizza – פיצה מחוזקת Pizza mishpachtit – Family-sized pizza – פיצה משפחתית La-batsek ha-chadash hosifu agvaniyot meyubashot – To the new dough they added sun dried tomatoes – לבצק החדש הוסיפו עגבניות מיובשות Hizku – They strengthened – חיזקו Ledaber-dibru; Lechazek-hizku Medubar-Mechuzak "13:30 ba-tsohorayim zo sha'ah legitimit le-kafe mechuzak, nachon?" – 1:30pm is a legit time for coffee with a splash of alcohol, right?" – ?אחת וחצי בצוהוריים זו שעה לגיטימית לקפה מחוזק, נכון Hozer bi-tshuva – A person who becomes religious – חוזר בתשובה Ha-rechev hitchazek – This car's engine got stronger – הרכב התחזק Hu hitchazek – This secular person become more religious – הוא התחזק Ha-shekel hitchazek – The shekel got stronger – השקל התחזק "Az ha-geshem hitchazek ba-sha'ot ha-achronot" – "So the rain got stronger in the last few hours" – אז הגשם התחזק בשעות האחרונות "Aval hu yitchazek be-tsura mashma'utit yoter" – "But it will get stronger, significantly" – אבל הוא יתחזק בצורה משמעותית יותר "Ad machar bi-sh'ot ha-tsohorayim" – "Until tomorrow afternoon" – עד מחר בשעות הצוהוריים Hitchazkut – Getting stronger/becoming more religious – התחזקות "Ze mitchaber le-megama shel hitchazkut" – "It connects to this tendency of the increase in the number of people who are becoming religious" – זה מתחבר למגמה של התחזקות "Hem mesachkim po al ha-double-meaning shel ha-tarbut ha-israelit" – They are playing on the duality of the israeli culture – הם משחקים פה על הדאבל-מינינג של התרבות הישראלית Playlist and Clips: Eich lechazek et kol ha-rosh Hizuk hiyuvi Commercial: Pizza mechuzeket Ofer Levy – Mitchazek (lyrics) Hitchazek – Car commercial Hitchazek – Car commercial 2 Ha-shekel hitchazek – The Shekel got stronger Ha-geshem yitchazek – Weather forecast Talking about the car commercial Arkadi Duchin – Merov Ahavati (lyrics)

It's asked as a question but it's actually a statement: ?תחזיק רגע That's how we ask a friend to hold our bags while we run into another store to buy something. And how would we say, "I think highly of him" (or not so highly)? Guy explains. Check Out the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Tachzik/tachziki/tachziku rega – Hold this for a sec. – תחזיק/תחזיקי/תחזיקו רגע 'Tachzik rega neshama' – Hold it for a sec., darling – תחזיק רגע, נשמה Tachzik shniya – Hold it for a sec. – תחזיק שנייה Tachziku oti! – hold me, guys! – תחזיקו אותי Tachziki/tachzik ma'amad – Hang in there – תחזיקי/תחזיק מעמד Lehachzik yadaim – To hold hands – להחזיק ידיים Lehachzik hazak – To hold tight – להחזיק חזק Tachzik/tachziki/tachziku hazak – Hold tight – תחזיק/תחזיקי/תחזיקו חזק Lehachzik mi-mishehu – To think highly of someone – להחזיק ממישהו Ani machzik mimcha ish hagun – I respect you as a sincere person – אני מחזיק ממך איש הגון Ani machzik mimech isha inteligentit – I see you as an intelligent woman – אני מחזיק ממך אישה אינטליגנטית [Ani machzik mi-someone + Noun] Davka mimena ani machzik – Actually it is her that I look up to – דווקא ממנה אני מחזיק Hu ma-ze machzik me-atsmo – He is so full of himself – הוא מה-זה מחזיק מעצמו Hi ma-ze machzika me-atsma – She is so full of herself – היא מה-זה מחזיקה מעצמה Hu machzik me-atsmo minimum elohim – He thinks he's no less than god himself – הוא מחזיק מעצמו מינימום אלוהים Ani lo machzik mimeno mi-yode'a-ma – I don't think too highly of him – אני לא מחזיק ממנו מי-יודע-מה Lehachzik mishehu katsar – To keep someone on a tight leash – להחזיק מישהו קצר Af echad lo machzik otcha po be-koach – Nobody is keeping you here against your will – אף אחד לא מחזיק אותך פה בכוח Machzik maftechot – Keyholder – מחזיק מפתחות Machzikei maftechot – Keyholders – מחזיקי מפתחות Eich lehachin machzikei maftechot be-tsurat perot – How to make fruit-shaped keyholders – איך להכין מחזיקי מפתחות בצורת פירות Hu muchzak be-ma'atsar – He is in a police detention center – הוא מוחזק במעצר Ha-gav muchzak – The back is 'held' – הגב מוחזק Ha-beten muchzeket – The stomach is held – הבטן מוחזקת Ve-hakol muchzak – And everything is "held" – והכל מוחזק Playlist and Clips: Tachzik rega, neshama (commercial) Ha-hatser ha-achorit – Kol ha-optsiyot al ha-shulchan (lyrics) Mercedes Band – Tachziki Ma'amad Daniel Salomon – Adif (lyrics) Maor Titon – Tachzik Hazak Ania Bukstein – Af echad (lyrics) Machzikei Maftachot – Key holders Yitzhak Klepter – Machzik Ma'amad (lyrics)

Israelis sometimes use a single word to review a movie or tv series: "!חזק" In Hebrew, חזק (pronounced hazak) means strong. So what are they trying to convey and how else can we use the word חזק? Guy explains. Check Out the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Hazak – Strong – חזק Klaf hazak – High card – קלף חזק Hazak! – Deep, intense, powerful, moving – !חזק Hazak be- mashehu – Expert on something, has a special ability in a specific field – חזק במשהו "Hazak be-ke'evim hazakim" – Has a special ability to deal with strong pain – חזק בכאבים חזקים "Hu hazak be-matematika" – He is strong in math – הוא חזק "Ze hazak mimeni" – It's stronger than me, I can't help it – זה חזק ממני Timshoch hazak – Pull it strongly – תמשוך חזק Nafalta hazak – You fell hard – נפלת חזק Yashanti hazak, lo shamati klum – I slept deeply, I didn't hear a thing – ישנתי חזק, לא שמעתי כלום Tihye hazak lemala – Be strong above – תהיה חזק למעלה Tihye hazak, tihyi hazaka, tihyu hazakim – Be strong – תהיה חזק, תהיי חזקה, תהיו חזקות "Nekudat ha-turpa shel ha-hore, hi nekudat ha-hozek shel ha-yeladim" – The vulnerable point of the parent is the point of strength of the children – נקודת התורפה של ההורה, היא נקודת החוזק של הילדים Eize hozek – What a strength – איזה חוזק Hozka – strongness, strength – חוזקה Ma ha-hozkot shelach? Ma ha-hulshot shelach? – What are your strengths, what are your weaknesses? – מה החוזקות שלך, מה החולשות שלך Hezka – To the power of – חזקה 3 beHezkat 4 – 3 to the power of 4 – שלוש בחזקת ארבע Tahzuka – Maintenance – תחזוקה Playlist and Clips: Astar Shamir – Klaf Hazak (lyrics) Hazak be-ke'evim hazakim – Commercial Tislam – Radio Hazak (lyrics) Eifo Ha-yeled – Nafalta Hazak (Lyrics) Aviv Geffen – Livkot Lecha (lyrics) Michal Dalyot (Israeli Super Nanny) Gali Atari – Hazaka Me-ha-ru'ach (lyrics) Ep. No. 176 Ep. No. 218 Ep. No. 118