Streetwise Hebrew

What's חפיף, which language did we get it from, and how do you use it in Hebrew slang? Oh, and there's a verb, too, לחפף. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Chafif (Ar.) – Light (opp. Of heavy), easy going – חפיף Dammo chafif (Ar.) – "His blood is light", he's funny, an easy going guy – دمه خفيف – דמו ח'פיף "K'chu chafif et hachayim" – Take life easy – קחו חפיף את החיים "Im mashehu kara, hafif ze lo nora" – If something happened, that's ok, no worries. – אם משהו קרה, חפיף זה לא נורא Chafifnik – Someone who does a sloppy job – חפיפניק Chafifnikiyut – The notion of doing things superficially – חפיפניקיות "Pit'om hitchalta lezayef, lo lehashkia, lechafef" – Suddenly you started slacking, to do a sloppy job – פתאום התחלת לזייף, לא להשקיע, לחפף Hu mechafef – He blows off – הוא מחפף Lama chifafta? – Why didn't you do it well? – למה חיפפת Mechufaf – Sloppy – מחופף Playlist and Clips: Eitan Masuri – Hafif (lyrics) Julia Boutros – Ala Ma Yabdou Aviva Avidan – K'chu hafif et ha-hayim Ofer Shechter – Bitachon Atsmi (lyrics) Sarit Avitan – Gever-gever (lyrics)

What's Shitat Matsli'ach? And why do they say that everybody needs ksharim in life? What's protektsia? And what's Vitamin P? So many questions, so little time. Today we talk about bureaucracy in Israel. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of This Episode New Words and Expressions: Shitat matsliach – "The maybe successful technique" – שיטת מצליח "Ani matsliach lehavin pachot" – "I am successful in understanding less" – אני מצליח להבין פחות Im hitslachta/hitslacht – If you succeeded – אם הצלחת Ksharim – Connections – קשרים Tsarich ksharim ba-chayim – One needs to have connections in life – צריך קשרים בחיים Protektsya – Connections – פרוטקציה "Higati la-dalpak, bikashti doctor or, amru li 'ein protektsia, ve-ta'amod ba-tor' – "I reached the counter, I asked for Doctor Or, they told me, no protektsia, and stand in the line". – הגעתי לדלפק, ביקשתי 'דוקטור אור', אמרו לי אין פרוטקציה, ותעמוד בתור "Vitamin P" – Protektsya, connections – ויטמין פי Snif – Branch – סניף "Ha-shvil ha-ze matchil kan, bein snif bank le-maayan" – This path starts here, between a bank branch and a spring – השביל הזה מתחיל כאן, בין סניף בנק, למעיין "Ha-shvita partsa kmo esh" – "The strike broke out like fire" – השביתה פרצה כמו אש Lishbot – To go on strike – לשבות Etsa – Advice – עצה Leya'ets – To give advice – לייעץ Playlist and Clips: Yoni Rechter – Bimkom Kol Ze (lyrics) Dori Ben Ze'ev – Ani cholem al ha-kayits (lyrics) Ehud Banai – Yotse La'or (lyrics) Shalom Chanoch – Shvita (Lyrics) Locating a post office in Israel Booking a post office appointment

We Israelis may not be the most polite people in the world, but from time to time even we say "I'm sorry" and "excuse me." How do you say it in Hebrew? And what can you answer back? And how is it all connected to Korean? Listen and find out. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Slicha – Forgiveness – סליחה Sole'ach, solachat – Forgiving – סולח, סולחת "Slichot" wikipedia Slach/Slechi li – Excuse me – סלח לי / סלחי לי "Slicha al shepagati bach" – Sorry for hurting you – סליחה על שפגעתי בך "Slicha she-lo hikshavti" – Sorry I didn't listen – סליחה שלא הקשבתי "Ma-ze slicha"- I'm so sorry – מה-זה סליחה Mamash slicha – So sorry – ממש סליחה Slicha she-ani hai – "Sorry for being alive" – סליחה שאני חי Slicha she-ani noshem – "Sorry for breathing" – סליחה שאני נושם Levakash slicha – To ask for forgiveness, to say you're sorry – לבקש סליחה "Halachti levakesh slicha" – I went to say I am sorry – הלכתי לבקש סליחה "Ve-at mitstaeret" – And you (f.) are sorry – ואת מצטערת Lehitsta'er – To be sorry – להצטער Tsa'ar – Regret, sadness – צער Ani mitztaer al… – I am sorry for… – אני מצטער על "Ze beseder" – It's ok – זה בסדר Shtuyot – Nonsense – שטויות Lo kara klum – Nothing happened – לא קרה כלום Salachti – I have forgiven – סלחתי "Tagidi salachti" – Just say "I've forgiven" – תגידי סלחתי Playlist and Clips: Peer Tasi – Slicha (lyrics) Ariel Zilber – Betty Bam (lyrics) Gazoz – Roni (lyrics) Liran Aviv – Tagidi (lyrics) Zazim, ep. 18

When we need to use a foreign word in Hebrew, what do we do? Do we take it as is, or do we invite it to come along and wear Hebrew clothes? And how did my Dad say the word "Washington"? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: "Zot rak comedia yeshana, parodia meshuna" – C'est rien que de la comédie, que de la parodie (It's nothing but a comedy, a parody) – זאת רק קומדיה ישנה, פרודיה משונה Parodya – Parody – פרודיה Comedya – Comedy – קומדיה "Situatsia aluva u-shneinu ba-emtsa" – A pathetic situation and we're in the middle of it – סיטואציה עלובה ואנחנו באמצע Situatsya – Situation – סיטואציה, מצב Emantsipatsya – Emancipation – אמנציפציה Presentatsya, Matseget – Presentation – פרזנטציה, מצגת Lehatsig – To present – להציג Matseget PowerPoint – Powerpoint presentation – מצגת פאוורפוינט Lefarmet – To format – לפרמט Letargem – To translate – לתרגם Lekanfeg – To configure – לקנפג Configuratsya – Configuration – קונפיגורציה Lefargen, firgun – To compliment and to be happy for someone's achievement without an ounce of jealousy – לפרגן Teorya – Theory – תיאוריה Shrimps (sg.), Shrimpsim (pl.) – Shrimp – שרימפס, שרימפסים Ambrek – Handbrake – אמברייק, בלם יד Playlist and Clips: Georges Brassens – Trompe la Mort Shlomi Shaban – Leholich Sholal et ha-mavet (Hebrew version of Trompe la Mort) – Lyrics Shlomo Artzi – Situatsya (lyrics) Avocado panini Matti Caspi – Inkvizitsya (lyrics) Ep. 131 about firgun Ep. 245 about Coupons and Cupcakes Ep. 286 about Hamburgerim and Konfiguratsya

Israelis are playing it tough most of the time. ​How do you ask an Israeli to do something for you?​ Here are some ideas on how to make your message come across, without sounding too bossy, which might wreak havoc in the Middle East. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Efshar – Possible – אפשר Efshar lekabel mapit? – Could I have a napkin? – אפשר לקבל מפית Efshar mapit? – Could I have a napkin? – אפשר מפית Efshar espresso aroch – Could I have a long espresso? – אפשר אספרסו ארוך Ata yakhol latet li mapit vaksha? – Could you give me a napkin please? – אתה יכול לתת לי מפית בבקשה Ata yakhol ledaber ita? – Could you talk to her? – אתה יכול לדבר איתה Ata yachol ledaber ita? – Could you talk to her? – אתה יכול לדבר איתה Tuchal / tuchli / tuchlu lehagi'a machar ba'erev? – Could you make it tomorrow in the evening? – תוכל/תוכלי/תוכלו להגיע מחר בערב Tuchli lavo be-eser? – Will you be able to come at ten? – תוכלי לבוא בעשר Yesh matsav she titen li t'oto sh'kha? – Is there a way you'd give me your car? – יש מצב שתיתן לי ת'אוטו ש'ך Ata ba la-mesiba machar? Yesh matsav – Will you come to my party tomorrow? Perhaps. – אתה בא למסיבה מחר? יש מצב Yesh matsav she-tazmin eize pizza? – Can you order a pizza or something? – יש מצב שתזמין איזה פיצה Ba lecha laasot et ze achshav? – Do you feel like doing this now? – בא לך לעשות את זה עכשיו Ba lach lekalef et ha-avokado? – Do you feel like peeling the avocados? – בא לך לקלף את האבוקדו ​ Playlist and Clips: Arik Einstein – Hen efshar (lyrics) Arik Einstein – Don Quixote (lyrics) Ha-saruf – Kol Ha-yom Sababa (lyrics) Ep. no. 10 about politeness in Hebrew Ep. no. 23 about the imperative Ep. no. 123 about kavanu

Relationships are hard. Here are some Hebrew slang terms to express your undying love — or lack thereof — with your significant other. Listen to the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Tafur aleyha – She's made to measure for me – תפור עליה Ha-job ha-hadash tafur alai – The new job is cut out for me – הג'וב החדש תפור עליי Tfira – Sewing – תפירה Mechonat tfira – Sewing machine – מכונת תפירה Zamin – Available – זמין "Ha-manui eino zamin ka'et" – The subscriber is not available right now – המנוי אינו זמין כעת Panuy – Vacant, free – פנוי Hu lo panuy – He's taken – הוא לא פנוי Lefanot lachem? – Could I clear your table? – לפנות לכם Ha-manui eino banui le-ahava – The subscriber isn't built for love – המנוי אינו זמין לאהבה Pa'al past participles: Sagur, shamur, patuach, tafur, banui – סגור, שמור, פתוח, תפור, בנוי Sichat yahasenu le'an – "Where does this relationship go to kinda conversation" – שיחת יחסינו לאן Zo lo at, ze ani / ze lo ata, zo ani – It's not you, it's me – זו לא את, זה אני / זה לא אתה, זו אני Playlist and Clips: Chen Aharoni – Tafur aleyha (lyrics) Moshik Afia – Ani lo zamin (lyrics) Dani Robas – Ze lo ani (lyrics)

The word בסדר means okay, alright, and is one of the first words you learn in Hebrew. But where did it come from and what does it literally mean? And what's the connection to the Ashdod Port? Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Beseder – Fine, ok, alright – בסדר Be+seder – In (the) order – בַּסדר Seder pesach – Passover dinner – סדר פסח Lesader – To organize, to put in order – לסדר Sidoor – Organizing – סידור La'asot sidoorim – To run errands – סידורים Ha-klafim mesudarim ba-seder ha-nachon – The cards are organized in the right order – הקלפים מסודרים בסדר הנכון Haya beseder – It was alright – היה בסדר Yihye beseder – It will be alright – יהיה בסדר Etsli hakol beseder – Everything is fine with me – אצלי הכל בסדר Ma kore, ma nishma? Beseder – How are things? Alright – מה קורה, מה נשמע? בסדר Tisgeri et ze ita, beseder? – Finalize it with her, okay? – תסגרי את זה איתה, בסדר "Be-se-der" – Okay, okay, I'll do it – ב-ס-דר Tagid li, ata beseder? – Tell me, are you okay? – תגיד לי, אתה בסדר Hu lo beseder – He's not okay – הוא לא בסדר Ata mamash mamash lo beseder – This is not okay what you're doing – אתה ממש ממש לא בסדר Hu rotse lihyot beseder im kulam – He wants to be okay with everybody – הוא רוצה להיות בסדר עם כולם Besederiyoot – Being 'beseder' with everybody – בסדריוּת Beseder gamur – Absolutely fine – בסדר גמור Playlist and Clips: Mofa Ha-arnavot shel Doctor Kasper (lyrics) Kol Ha-hatichim Etsli – Ha-kol Beseder (lyrics) Aviva Avidan – Yihye Beseder (lyrics) Boaz Sharabi – Etsli Ha-kol Beseder (lyrics) Josi Kats – Etsli Ha-kol Beseder (lyrics) Yehudit Ravits – Achshav Ha-kol Beseder (lyrics) Ep. no. 65 about lid'og, to worry Ep. no. 121 about ligmor, to finish Ep. no. 165 about lisgor, to close

Imperative in Hebrew: Often the 'real' imperative of our language sounds archaic to us, so we use the future instead. Here's a quick how-to on the Hebrew imperative. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Saper/sapri/sapru – Tell (imp.)! – ספר, ספרי, ספרו Tesaper – You will tell – תספר "Elohim, ten li rak tipat mazal" – God, just give me a bit of luck – אלוהים תן לי רק טיפת מזל "Az titen li shiv'a shkalim" – So just give me 7 shekel then – אז תיתן לי רק שבעה שקלים Ten/tni/tnu! – Give! – תן/תני/תנו "Tni lo perach, tni lo yayin, aval et libech shimri" – Give him a flower, give him wine, but guard your heart – תני לו פרח, תני לו יין, אבל את ליבך שמרי Titen, titni, titnu – You will give – תיתן, תתני, תתנו Emor shalom – Say 'shalom' – אמור שלום Bo – Come – בוא Lech/lechi/lechu – Go – לך/לכי/לכו Sa le'at – Drive slowly – סע לאט Lech/lechi/lechu mi-po! – Go away! – לך/לכי/לכו מפה Shev/Shvi/Shvu – Sit! – שב, שבי, שבו "Al tagidi ken ve'al tagidi lo" – Don't say yes, and don't say no – אל תגידי כן ואל תגידי לא Al titen – Don't give – אל תיתן Al tavo – Don't come – אל תבוא Tagid li – Tell me – תגיד לי Takshiv – Listen – תקשיב Ulai tesaper eich haya – Maybe you'll tell us how it was? – אולי תספר איך היה Playlist and Clips: Arik Einstein – Kama Tov She-bata Ha-baita (lyrics) Zehava Ben – Tipat Mazal (lyrics) Gali Atari – Tni Lo Perach (lyrics) Shokolad, Menta, Mastik – Emor Shalom (lyrics) Arik Einstein – Sa Le'at (lyrics) Svika Pick – Ein medina la-ahava (lyrics) Ep. no. 175 about negation of the imperative Hebrew version Ep. no. 184 about Bo Hebrew version

How do we say darling or honey in Hebrew? And can we use kapara and motek to both male and female? Listen to our lovey dovey episode. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of This Episode New Words and Expressions: "K'chi taxi habaita kapara, lifney she-yihye me'uchar" – Take a taxi home, darling, before it's going to get late – קחי טקסי הביתה, כפרה, לפני שיהיה מאוחר Kapara – Atonement, forgiveness – כפרה Kapara sheli – My darling – כפרה שלי KaPAra al X – It's nothing, don't worry about it (X being a broken glass) – כפרה על משהו Kapara alecha – You're a darling – כפרה עליך "Lo at lo ashema ma pitom, neshama" – No, you're not guilty, not at all my darling – לא, את לא אשמה, מה פתאום, נשמה Neshama – Soul – נשמה "Ken, neshama shel aba?" – Yes, my darling? – ?כן, נשמה של אבא "Hu bachur neshama – He's a really good guy – הוא בחור נשמה Mami (m., f.) – Darling – מאמי Neshamami – Neshama+mami – נשמאמי "Motek, at gdola, motek at yafa" – Honey, you're great, honey, you're pretty – מותק, את גדולה, מותק, את יפה "Motek, at safek yalda safek isha" – Honey, you're half a girl half a woman – מותק, את ספק-ילדה, ספק-אישה Motek (m., f.) – Sweetness, darling – מותק Matok – Sweet – מתוק Kadosh – Holy – קדוש Kodesh – Holiness – קודש "Hey motek, efo ata/at?" – Hey darling, where are you? – ?היי מותק, איפה אתה/את Yakiri, yakirati – My dear – יקיר, יקירתי Playlist and Clips: Tomer Yosef – Kapara (lyrics) Miri Masika – Mami (lyrics) Dafna Armoni – Safek Yalda, Safek Isha (lyrics)

Why do we sometimes repeat the same word twice in Hebrew? Mashu-mashu, gever-gever, for example. Today we'll talk about reduplication in Hebrew and… about Belize. Hear the All-Hebrew Episode on Patreon New Words and Expressions: Le'at le'at – Slowly – לאט-לאט Mashu-mashu – Great – משהו-משהו Ha-lasagna ha-zot, mashu! – This lasagna is amazing! – הלזניה הזאת, משו Ha-lasagna ha-zot, mashu-mashu! – This lasagna is amazing! – הלזניה הזאת, משו משו Gever-gever – Macho – גבר-גבר Hi isha-isha – She's a real lady – היא אישה-אישה Chaver-chaver – Serious boyfriend – חבר-חבר "Oh, politika politika" – Oh politics – הו, פוליטיקה, פוליטיקה Kacha ze, politika, politika- This is how it is, politics- ככה זה, פוליטיקה, פוליטיקה Mishpat mishpat – Sentence by sentence – משפט-משפט Para para – Baby steps – פרה-פרה Ben-Ben – Diminutive of Ben – בן-בן Tal-Tal, ma nishma mami? – Tal, how are you sweetie pie – טל-טל, מה נשמע ממי "Benny, Benny, yeled ra" – Oh Benny, you're such a bad boy – בני, בני, ילד רע Playlist and Clips: Sarit Avitan – Gever Gever (lyrics) Riki Gal – Yeled Ra (lyrics) Ep. 16 about how to curse drivers in Hebrew