Hebrew, an ancient language with a rich history, is the official language of Israel. Modern Hebrew is both ancient and modern, with a vibrant and dynamic lexicon. This lesson covers essential conversational phrases and questions in Hebrew, including transliteration for pronunciation help, to navigate various social interactions.

Greetings

• Hello/Hi – “שלום” (Shalom) / “היי” (Hi)
• Good morning – “בוקר טוב” (Boker tov)
• Good afternoon – “צהריים טובים” (Tzohorayim tovim)
• Good evening – “ערב טוב” (Erev tov)
• Good night – “לילה טוב” (Laila tov)
• Goodbye – “להתראות” (Lehitra’ot)

Introducing Yourself or Others

• My name is [name]. – “שמי [שם]” (Shmi [shem])
• This is [name]. – “זה/זו [שם]” (Zeh/Zo [shem])
• I am from [country]. – “אני מ[מדינה]” (Ani me[m’dina])
• I live in [city/place]. – “אני גר/גרה ב[עיר/מקום]” (Ani gar/gara be[ir/makom])

Asking for Directions or People

• Where is the [place]? – “איפה [מקום]?” (Eifo [makom]?)
• How do I get to [place]? – “איך מגיעים ל[מקום]?” (Eich magi’im le[makom]?)
• Is this the way to [place]? – “האם זה הדרך ל[מקום]?” (Ha’im zeh haderech le[makom]?)
• Can you show me on the map? – “תוכל/תוכלי להראות לי על המפה?” (Tuchal/Tuchli l’har’ot li al hamepa?)

Solving a Misunderstanding

• Sorry, I don’t understand. – “סליחה, אני לא מבין/ה” (Slicha, ani lo mevin/mevina)
• Can you please repeat that? – “אפשר לחזור על זה בבקשה?” (Efshar lechzor al zeh bevakasha?)
• I mean… – “אני מתכוון/מתכוונת…” (Ani mitkaven/mitkavenet…)
• What does [word] mean? – “מה [מילה] אומרת?” (Ma [milah] omeret?)

Farewell Expressions

• See you later – “נתראה מאוחר יותר” (Nit’raeh me’uchar yoter)
• Take care – “שמור על עצמך” (Shmor al atzm’cha)
• Have a good day – “יום טוב” (Yom tov)

Travel and Dining

• I would like to book a room. – “אני רוצה להזמין חדר” (Ani rotze/rotza lehazmin cheder)
• Can I see the menu, please? – “אפשר לראות את התפריט בבקשה?” (Efshar lir’ot et hatafrit bevakasha?)
• I am vegetarian. – “אני צמחוני/ת” (Ani tzimchoni/tzimchonit)
• The bill, please. – “החשבון בבקשה” (Hacheshbon bevakasha)

Shopping

• How much does this cost? – “כמה זה עולה?” (Kama zeh oleh?)
• Do you have this in another size? – “יש את זה במידה אחרת?” (Yesh et zeh be’midah acheret?)
• I’m just looking, thanks. – “אני רק מסתכל/ת, תודה” (Ani rak mistakel/mistakelet, toda)
• Can I pay by card? – “אפשר לשלם בכרטיס?” (Efshar leshalem be’kartis?)

Dating and Love

• You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “את נראית יפה” (At nire’et yafa) / “אתה נראה יפה” (Ata nire’e yafe)
• I miss you. – “אני מתגעגע/ת אליך” (Ani mitga’agea/mitga’aga’at elecha)
• I love you. – “אני אוהב/ת אותך” (Ani ohev/ohevet otach/otcha)
• Would you like to go out with me? – “תרצה/תרצי לצאת איתי?” (Tirtzeh/tirtzi latzet iti?)

Emergencies

• Help! – “עזרה!” (Ezrah!)
• Call the police! – “קרא למשטרה!” (Kra lemishtarah!)
• I need a doctor. – “אני צריך/צריכה רופא” (Ani tzarich/tzricha rofe)
• Where is the nearest hospital? – “איפה הבית חולים הקרוב ביותר?” (Eifo habayit cholim hakarov beyoter?)

These phrases provide a solid foundation for basic communication in Hebrew. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Hebrew media, and don’t hesitate to converse with native speakers. Remember, language learning is a journey—embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and continue to explore the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of Hebrew.