The Hamsa symbol, a hand with five fingers, is believed to bring good luck and keep away the evil eye. In Arabic, hamsa is the number five, which just happens to be the number of years we've been making our Streetwise Hebrew podcast! We celebrate this grand occasion with a special episode on all things hamesh (חמש). Pssstttt... have a listen to ...…

What do we mean when we say hu af al atsmo (הוא עף על עצמו), he flies on himself? How about oof li me-ha-einayim (עוף לי מהעיניים), fly off my eyes? On this episode, Guy explains all things la’oof, to fly. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Ani af elayich - I am flying to you - אני עף אלייך Oof, oof bete ...…

Eich (איך), Hebrew for “how”, is a tiny word used very often in spoken Hebrew and in many different contexts. On this episode, Guy explains these uses through several examples from everyday life in Israel. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Eich - How - איך Eich shir nolad - How is a song born? - איך שיר ...…

You're busy. I'm busy. We're all extremely busy these days. The Hebrew word for busy is עסוק. What would you say to your friend if you might not be able to make it to their party? Guy sets aside time from his busy schedule to explain. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Ein li zman linshom - I don’t have ...…

Why do Israelis say, “hu taka li berez” (הוא תקע לי ברז), which roughly translates to, “he jammed a faucet on me”? And how do we say in Hebrew, “I'm stuck in the middle seat again”? On this episode, Guy explains the word litko’a (לתקוע), to stick into, and delves into the nooks and crannies of hardcore Israeli slang. Language warning: things ar ...…

Simha (שמחה) in Hebrew is happiness or joy, but it can also mean a happy event. How would you say “to make someone happy” in Hebrew? Guy explains all things שמח on this extra joyful episode. Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Simha - Happiness - שמחה Eize yom sameach li hayom - What a happy day I am havi ...…

In addition to calling and texting, your smartphone is also a fancy nagan-em-pi-shalosh (נגן אם-פי-3). What's that? Well, without this capability you wouldn't be able to listen to this podcast on the move! Today's episode is all about the root נ.ג.נ, out of which Hebrew words like ניגון, מנגינה, and נגינה are constructed. Listen to the all-Hebr ...…

There are several ways to ask an Israeli taxi driver to lower the volume on the radio that won't result in nasty looks. Today, Guy discusses these sayings and other words related to radio, like the Hebrew word for podcast. Listen to the all-Hebrew version of this episode New Words and Expressions: Havita - Omlette - חביתה Aruhat boker israelit ...…

The Hebrew word for partner or flatmate is שותף, and its root ש.ת.פ is especially relevant when trying to get your social media posts to go viral. On this episode, Guy shares his linguistic expertise on all things shareable. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Shutaf, shutafim - Partner/s, flatmate - ...…

Most furniture from Ikea comes with assembly instructions. On this episode, Guy provides us with an instructions manual for the root רכב, which can be found in the word להרכיב, to assemble. No assembly required on this podcast! Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Rachav - He rode - רכב Rochev - He’s ...…

Many things in life are complicated, including some people's relationship status on Facebook. How do we say “it’s complicated” in Hebrew? And what saying do we use as something gets more and more complicated? Bonus: we've included a short clip from the Hebrew version of this episode. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Wor ...…

How do we say “I want to improve my Hebrew” in Hebrew? How about “improvements”? And what's the connection to the popular supermarket chain Shufersal? Guy explains. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Leshaper mashehu - To improve something - לשפר משהו Ani rotse leshaper et ha-ivrit sheli - I want to ...…

Israel has just won the Eurovision Song Contest thanks to Netta Barzilai and her incredible song Toy. Guy walks you through parts of the song's Hebrew lyrics and reviews some of Israel's past Eurovision winners. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Ero-viz-yon - Eurovision - אירוויזיון Taharut zemer, ...…

What's the Hebrew language connection between the following: a book chapter, devouring an entire pizza, and the Soviet Union's breakup? Guy explains it all on today's episode. Click Here for the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode New Words and Expressions: Perek, prakim - Episode, chapter - פרק Liftoah perek hadash - To start a new chapter - לפ ...…

How do you say ‘dude’ in Hebrew? You’ll hear ‘achi’ (‘brother’) on the street all the time, but in which contexts should you use it? Can women say it? Guy Sharett explains. Click here for the all-Hebrew version of this episode. Words and expressions discussed: Ahi / ah sheli – My brother, dude – אחי / אח שלי Gever – Man – גבר Bendam – Human bei ...…

Imagine this… you’re riding on a bus in Tel Aviv. Next to you is someone talking on their cellphone much too loud. How should you ask them to “keep it down”? Today we’ll talk about those who talk too much and discuss the possible ways to ask them to stop, politely and impolitely. Click here for the all-Hebrew version of this episode New Words a ...…

This episode is about the root .ח.ט.פ, which is used in the Hebrew words חטף (snatch), החטיף (beat up), and חטיף (snack). Why is this root used in the word for snacks? Because they're something you can grab and eat on the go. Now grab a seat and enjoy another deliciously appetising episode of Streetwise Hebrew. Listen to the all-Hebrew version ...…

The root חב"ר is rich. It's used in the Hebrew words for “composing”, “connecting”, “joining”, “adding”, and many more. In this episode, Guy explains this root and teaches us how to say the ever-important phrase, “I can't connect to the internet.” We also learn the difference between מחברת and חוברת. Looking for the full Hebrew version of this ...…

Meser is defined as message or theme, as in the meser of a story, or the main idea behind the text. But it also relates to text messages and to tradition. Guy explains this and more on today's episode. Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode? You'll find it on Patreon at patreon.com/streetwisehebrew New Words and Expressions: Ha-haz ...…

The words daluk, nidlak, and lehadlik are all related to turning on electric devices. However, they could also mean ‘turn on’ in the sensual sense. To complicate things further, the word letadlek, from the same root, is to ‘refuel’ as well as slang for ‘to drink alcohol.’ Perhaps this week’s show is not the most kid-friendly of episodes. Patron ...…

"Lahshov" means to think, a crucial word and root. From "One could think" to "without thinking twice" and "think about it", this episode teaches all the thought-related expressions you can, well, think of. Pro tip: "Let me think about it" is a perfect phrase to use with pushy marketing people. Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode ...…

"Lo ichpat li" -- I don’t care -- is a very useful expression. It is used for all things caring, like: "Do you even care?" and "You don’t care about me?" It is especially useful with drama queens of all sorts. Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode? You'll find it on Patreon at patreon.com/streetwisehebrew New words and expressions ...…

"Linhog" means to drive, but when its root nun-hey-gimmel is taken to other verb formats, it takes on new meanings that tell us how to behave, how to lead, and more. This episode is dedicated to our dear listener Naomi Wrubel who passed away last week in NY. Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode? You'll find it on Patreon at patre ...…

Today we are covering the root shavar, which gives Hebrew its words for break, broke, broken. There are plenty of unexpected phrases to learn with this root, one of which is not for kids, so please listen to the episode without them first. Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode? You'll find it on Patreon at patreon.com/streetwisehe ...…

How do you say Thai food in Hebrew? How about “I don’t eat coriander?” This episode is a feast of tasty eating-related words and phrases. Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode? You'll find it on Patreon at patreon.com/streetwisehebrew New words and expressions: Ochel - Food - אוכל Ochel, kadima, ochel - Food, let’s go for it, food ...…

We suddenly felt we don’t speak enough about food on our podcast. We learned ‘ta’im’ -- tasty -- but its root, tet-ayin-mem, makes up a whole family of culinary terms aching to be used. Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode? You'll find it on Patreon. New words and expressions: Ta'im lecha, ta'im lach, ta'im lachem – Is it tasty ( ...…

To mark the 200th episode of Streetwise Hebrew, learn to say matayim, two hundred in Hebrew, and to talk about this special suffix for pairs, ‘ayim’. Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode? You'll find it on Patreon. New words and expressions: Perek matayim - Episode number 200 - פרק 200 Me’a, meot - Hundred, century/centuries - מא ...…

Halom is a dream in Hebrew, plural, Halomot. There’s lots of songs about halomot. But how is it related to Guy’s grandpa? Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode? You'll find it on Patreon. New words and expressions: Halom, halomot - Dream - חלום Halomot be-aspamya - Unrealistic dreams - חלומות באספמיה He-hayit o halamti halom - Did ...…

The Tel Aviv municipality launched a new campaign to encourage people to pick up after their dogs. ‘Tarimu’ means ‘pick up’, imperative, plural. But it has another meaning in the Tel Avivi gay lingo. What does it mean? Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode? You'll find it on Patreon. New words and expressions: Merimim et ha-yadayi ...…

The root חל”ק has so many meanings. It has to do with separation, borders and partitions, so you can imagine how popular it is here in the Middle East. But it has more meanings, for example at the hair stylist, in a stadium or even on a banana peel. Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode? You'll find it on Patreon. New words and ex ...…

Almost everybody knows the word chutzpah, audacity, brash behaviour. When is it positive and when is it negative? And what’s hutzpah israelit? Looking for the full Hebrew version of this episode? You'll find it on Patreon. New words and expressions: Hatichat hatsuf - You cheeky bastard - חתיכת חצוף Limhok - to erase - למחוק Titbayesh lecha - Sh ...…

English has ‘like’ and ‘kinda’. What do Hebrew speakers use as fillers? And what did we borrow from Arabic? Guy explains. Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Em - Umm - אֶם Achshav ani margish - Now I feel - עכשיו אני מרגיש Ke’ilu lo yode’a klum - As if I know nothing - כאילו לא יודע כלום Ke’ilu ( ...…

Today, um, Guy talks, um, about fillers like ‘Eh’ in Hebrew and about other things we say when we try to think and talk at the same time. Learn why this is important, especially for people who want to improve their Hebrew. New words and expressions: Eh - Um - אֶה Ve… - And - ו… Ve-tagidi - And tell me (f.)… - ותגידי Ve-tagid li - And tell me (m ...…

We were all kids once, and at least in Israel, during the summer holiday, we used to tell our parents, mesha’amem li, I am bored. Answers varied, as you can imagine, but let’s talk for a sec about boredom-bored-boring in Hebrew. Words and expressions discussed: Mesha'amem - Boring - משעמם Mesha'mem li - I am bored - משעמם לי Mesha’amem la’allah ...…

How do you say ‘about 30 people’ in Hebrew? How about ‘around the 7th or the 8th’? He’s about 50-60 year old? Today Guy talks about "around", "about", "8-ish" and more. Words and expressions discussed: Haya od or, hamesh be’erech – It was still light, it was about five – היה עוד אור, חמש בערך Erech, arachim – Value, values – ערך Be’erech assara ...…

Gay marriage is new to the world, and Hebrew, a gender-based language, has to face the music and find new ways to talk about it. On this episode, Guy talks about an email from a married gay listener. Looking for the Hebrew versions of our episodes or other Patron-only content? Head over to Patreon, become a patron, and receive access to many mo ...…

Guy's recent Skype chat with Patrons covered, among other things, California's wildfires and Hebrew podcasts produced by the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation. Want to join our Skype chat next month? Visit tlv1.fm/swh and become a patron.

The word ‘shavé’ means ‘equal,’ but in slang it also means ‘worth it’, and sometimes ‘cool,’ ‘amazing,’ or ‘good looking.’ How do we ask, ‘Is it worth it?’ in Hebrew, and why is there a bleep censor in this episode? Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Shavé, shava, shavim, shavot – Equal – שוֶוה, ...…

You’ll hear it all the time — when you’re handed a music show ticket, getting the menu, or receiving your shopping bag from the cashier: ‘tehenu’ means ‘enjoy.’ Today Guy explains how to use this word and teaches us more words from the same root. Bonus: this root exists also in Arabic, so we can learn some greetings to use with Arabic speakers ...…

Aharei ha-hagim, “after the holidays” is almost here. That’s a good enough reason to talk about the root alef-het-resh, which means after, late, and tardiness. Plus a tip: how do you make sure your Israeli friends will make it on time to your event? Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Acharei ha-h ...…

‘Ashkara’ could mean ‘totally’ or ‘literally’ in American slang. Let’s work on examples that will teach you how to use this word in modern Hebrew slang, plus a bonus: a clip from an Afghani talk show! Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Ze ashkara lehikanes halak im mafteach – It’s literally getti ...…

המילה "אשכרה" היא מילה חשובה בסלנג הישראלי העכשווי. איך משתמשים בה? ואיך כל זה קשור לתכנית בידור בטלוויזיה האפגנית? Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Ze ashkara lehikanes halak im mafteach – It’s literally getting in smoothly with a key – זה אשכרה להיכנס חלק עם מפתח Ani ashkara matsati et atsmi ...…

עכשיו החגים, אז כולם בנסיעות, או שממש חזרו מנסיעה, או שהם לקראת נסיעה. בואו נדבר על השורש הזה, נ.ס.ע, נלמד כמה ביטויים חדשים, ונשמע כמה הודעות ממטוסים ורכבות בעברית. Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Shneynu nos’im ba-mchonit – We’re both driving in the car – שנינו נוסעים במכונית Le’an nos’im? – ...…

Everybody is going somewhere for the high holidays here in Israel! This is a good opportunity to talk about trips, passengers, driving, and other key Hebrew words. Bonus: How do you help someone park in a tight parking spot? Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Shneynu nos’im ba-mchonit – We’re bot ...…

לפעמים אנחנו נתקלים באנשים או בדברים שהם טיפה מוזרים, לא נורמליים. מה אנחנו אומרים עליהם? ברוב המילים אפשר להשתמש גם ברצינות, אבל גם בצחוק, עם חברים, אז שימו לב. Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Muzar, meshune – Strange, weird – מוזר, משונה Olam muzar – Strange world – עולם מוזר Meitar karua – ...…

Life in Israel is always exciting! Often we meet weird people and encounter strange situations. How do we talk about these things? What do we tell our best friends after stepping out from the wierdest meeting ever? Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Muzar, meshune – Strange, weird – מוזר, משונה O ...…

הפועל 'לבוא' הוא פועל חשוב בעברית. כולנו הולכים ובאים לאנשהו כל הזמן. מה קורה כשמוסיפים לו פועל, כמו "בוא נגיד", ומה קורה כשמישהו פשוט אומר לכם "בואי!"? בונוס: איך אפשר לענות למישהו שעושה לכם הסגברה (mansplaining)? Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Lavo – To come – לבוא Bo, bo’i, bo’u – Come (im ...…

The verb ‘lavo,’ meaning ‘to come,’ is an important verb in Hebrew. This week, Guy teaches a few handy expressions with it. How do we say, “let’s say…” or, “you’re getting carried away”? Bonus: What do you say to someone who is mansplaining to you? Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Lavo – To com ...…

מה אנשים אומרים כשהם צריכים ללכת לשנייה לשירותים? ולמה אנשים כותבים "פיפי" כתגובה למשהו נורא מצחיק שהם רואים באינטרנט? בואו נלמד. הפרק לא מתאים למאזינים שיש להם בעיה עם הנושא. Looking to support the show? Learn how on Patreon. Words and expressions discussed: Pipi – pee – פיפי Sheten – Urine – שתן Bdikat sheten – Urine test – בדיקת שתן Shniya, ...…

Fair warning: this episode is not for everybody. We’re talking about body fluids, especially ‘number 1’ in the bathroom. Hey, it’s important to know how to ask for a urine test, how to say ‘to hold it,’ and to say politely that you have an urgent need. If you’re uncomfortable hearing about bodily fluids and their organs, then feel free to skip ...…