| A | |
| Acharei Aruchat Hatzohorayim | After Lunch |
| Acharei Hatzohorayim | In the Afternoon |
| Ad HaErev | Until this Evening (response upon departing |
| Ad Machar | Until Tomorrow (response upon departing) |
| Ad Me’ah Ve’Esrim Shanah! | May You Live to be 120! |
| Af Al Pi Cain | Despite That it is So; In Spite of it All |
| A”H – Acronym for Alav HaShalom (masc.); Aleha HaShalom (fem.) | May Peace be upon Him / Her |
| Ain Davar K’Zeh | There is No Such Thing; Drop it, it Doesn’t Exist |
| Al Lo Devar | You’re Welcome |
| Al Tedag | Don’t Worry |
| Alav HaShalom | May Peace be Upon Him |
| Ani Etkasher Ele’cha | I’ll Call You |
| Ani Koreh Ivrit, Aval Lo Medaber (masc.) | I Read Hebrew but do not Speak |
| Ani Koreh VeKotev, Aval Lo Medaber (fem.) | I Read Hebrew but do not Speak |
| Ani LeDodi ve Dodi Li | I am My Beloved’s and My Beloved is Mine |
| Ani Lo Mevin (masc.) Ani Lo Mevinah (fem.) | I Do Not Understand |
| Ani Lo Mevin Otcha (masc.) Ani Lo Mevin Otach (fem.) | I Don’t Understand You |
| Ani Lo Yode’a (masc.) Ani Lo Yoda’at (fem.) | I Don’t Know |
| Ani Medaber Ivrit (masc.) Ani Medaberet Ivrit (fem.) | I Speak Hebrew |
| Ani Mitzta’er (masc.) Ani Mitzta’eret (fem.) | I’m Sorry |
| Ani Ohev Otach (masc.) Ani Ohevet Otcha (fem.) | I love You |
| Ani Tzarich Lalechet Achshav | I Must Go Now |
| Ani Yode’a Ivrit (masc.) Ani Yoda’at Ivrit (fem.) | I Know Hebrew |
| Aruchat Boker | Breakfast |
| Aruchat Erev | Dinner |
| Aruchat Tzohorayim | Lunch |
| Atah Lo Mevin (masc.) At Lo Mevina’ (fem.) | You Don’t Understand |
| Atah Lo Tzodek (masc.) Ata Lo Tzodeket (fem.) | You are Wrong |
| Atah Medaber Ivrit? (masc.) At Medaberet Ivrit? (fem.) | Do You Speak Hebrew? Responses: Me’at – A Little Ken, Me’At – Yes, a Little Me’at Me’od – Very Little Rak Me’at – Just a Little Lo, Ani Lo Medaber (masc.) – No, I do not Speak |
| Atah Mevine? (masc.) At Mevina’? (fem.) | Do You Understand? |
| Atah Mevin Ivrit? (masc.) At Mevinah et Hamilim (fem.) | Do You Understand Hebrew?; Do You Understand the Words? Response: Ken, Ani Mevinah et Hamilim (fem.) – Yes, I understand the words; Ani Mevin et Hamilim, Aval lo et Hamishpat (masc.) – I understand the words, but not the sentence; Ani Mevin, Aval lo Medaber (masc.) – I understand but do not speak |
| Atah Tzodek (masc.) At Tzodeket (fem.) | You Are Right |
| Atar Chev’rati | Social Networking Site |
| Az Mah? | So What? |
| Azov Oti | Leave Me (Alone) |
| Azoi? | Really? |
| Azru Li! | Help Me! |
| B | |
| Baal Bayit | Owner |
| BaBoker | In the Morning |
| Bachur (masc.) Bachurah (fem.) | Young Man; Young Woman |
| Ba Li | I Felt / Feel Like it |
| Bari veShalem | Safe and Sound |
| Baruch HaBah! (pl. Bruchim haBaim) | Welcome! |
| Baruch HaShem | Thank G-d |
| Batu’ach? | Are You Sure? |
| B’Ahavah | With Love |
| BS”D (Aramaic – B’Siyata D’Shamaya) | With the Help of Heaven / G-d |
| Bechol’zot | Nevertheless |
| B’Ezrat HaShem (BE”H) | With G-d’s Help |
| Behatzlacha | Good Luck!; All the Best! |
| Bekarov | Soon |
| Bekarov Etzlech | Soon So Shall It Be By You (reponse to someone wishing you a Mazel Tov) |
| B’li Ayin Hara | Without an Evil Eye |
| Bemeshech HaYom | During the Day |
| Beratzon | With Pleasure |
| Berishonah | In the First Place |
| B’Seder | All Right |
| Besha’a Zu | At the Present Time |
| B’Simcha Tamid | Happy Aways |
| Be’tach! | Sure! |
| B’teavon | With Appetite; equivalent to “bon appetit!” |
| BeTodah Me-Rosh | Thank You in Advance |
| Bevakasha | Please (or your welcome) |
| Bevakasha et Zeh | This, Please |
| Bivracha | In Blessing |
| Bli Safek | Without a Doubt |
| Boker Tov | Good Morning |
| Bracha veHazlaha | Blessing and Much Success |
| Bruchim HaBa’im | Blessed are Those Who Come (to you and your family; Welcome |
| D | |
| Dan Lekaf Zechut | To Judge on the Scale of Merit |
| Dash Cham (al. Dahsh Chahm) | Warm Regards |
| Derech Eretz | Way of the Land |
| Do’ar Mahir | Express Mail |
| Dolar Amerikai | American Dollar |
| Drishat Shalom (D”SH; DASH) | Regards; Kind Regards; Greetings (response upon departing |
| Drishat Shalom LaMishpacha | Regards to the Family (response upon departing) |
| Drishat Shalom Le | Give My Regards to… |
| E | |
| Efshar | Possible |
| Eich Omrim et Zeh Be’ (Anglit) | How Do You Say This in (English)? |
| Eich Ze? | How is It? |
| Effo? | Where Is? |
| Effo Atah Gar? | Where Do You Live? |
| Effo Ha’Sherutim? | Where is the Bathroom? |
| Elu? | Which Ones? |
| Ein Ba’aya! | Its Nothing! |
| Ein Be’ayot | No Problems |
| Ein Brerah | No Choice |
| Ein Li Klum (Ein li Shum Davar) | I Don’t Have Anything; I Have Nothing |
| Eize Sug? | Which Type? |
| Eretz Yisrael | Land of Israel |
| Erev Tov | Good Evening |
| Eyno | Is Not |
| G | |
| Galui Le-Ayin | Perceptible to the Eye; Visible; Obvious; Noticeable; Detectable; Evident |
| Gam ZuLeTovah | This is for the Good (best) |
| Gisha Le-Internet | Internet Access |
| Gut Shabbes! (Yiddish) | Good Sabbath! |
| Gut Yontev! (Yiddish) | Good Holiday! |
| Gut Yontiff! (Yiddish) | Good Holiday! |
| H | |
| Hakol | All |
| Hakol Beseder? | Is Everything OK? |
| HaKol Le Tova! | Everything is for the Best! |
| Halach Im | Go With |
| Halavai | Would that it Came True! |
| Harbe Zman Lo Hitra’enu | Long Time No See |
| HaRishon (Shel HaChodesh) | The First (Day of the Month) |
| HaRosh Mistovev | My Head is Spinning |
| Har’Beh | A Lot; Many; Much |
| Hashgacha Pratis | Divine Providence |
| Hatzlacha Rabbah! | Much Success! (as a greeting – Good Luck!) |
| Havarah Ashkenazit | Ashkenazi Pronunciation of Hebrew – current in some Diaspora circles |
| Havarah Sefaradit | Sephardi Pronunciation of Hebrew – current pronunciation in Israel |
| HaYakar (masc.) HaY’Karah (fem.) | Dear; Beloved |
| Haya Naim Me’od | Its Been a Pleasure (greeting at departing) |
| Herim Yad | Raise One’s Hand |
| Hoda’ah Tekstit | Text Message |
| I | |
| Ihulim Levaviim | Best Wishes |
| Ichulim | Greetings |
| Im Shachar | At Dawn |
| Ish | Man |
| Isha | Woman |
| Ishti | My Wife |
| Iton | Newspaper; Periodical |
| K | |
| Kacha Kacha | So So |
| Kacha HaChayim | That’s Life; That’s the Way it Goes |
| Kamah Zeh O’leh? | How Much Does This Cost? |
| Kar Li | It is Cold to Me; I Feel Cold |
| Karov Rachok | A Distant Relative |
| Kar’tis Ash’ra’i | Credit Card |
| Kazeh (masc.) Kazot (fem.) | Like This |
| Ke’ev Rosh | Headache |
| Kein Eina Hara (al. Kennahara) | No Evil Eye |
| Ken | Yes |
| Ketivah veChasimah Tovah LeShanah Tovah | May You Be Inscribed in the Book of Life for a Good Year |
| Kvetch | Complain |
| Klal Yisrael | Community of Israel; All Israel; the entire Jewish People |
| Kol HaKavod! | All the Honor!; All The Respect; All Right!; Great!; Good Job! |
| Kol Tuv | All the Best |
| Kotel Ma’aravi | Western Wall |
| Ktzat | Little; a Little |
| KH (CH) | |
| Chag Kasher veSame’ach Pesach! | Happy & Kosher Passover Festival! |
| Chag Same’ach! | Happy Festival!; Joyous Festival!; Happy Holidays! |
| Chalomot Tovim | Sweet Dreams |
| Cham Li | It is Hot to Me; I Feel Hot |
| Chas veChalilah! | G-d Beware!; G-d Forbid! |
| Chas veShalom! | G-d Forbid! |
| Chaval Al Hazman | It’s a Waste of Time and Don’t Waste Your Time. It’s cool, or extremely great. We’re wasting our time talking about it; just go and see it or do it for yourself! |
| Chek Tayarim | Travelers Check |
| Chochem | Wise Man; A Wise Guy (slang) |
| Chodesh Tov | A Good Month |
| Chodesh Tov uMevorach | A Good and Blessed Month |
| Chom Guf | Body Temperature |
| Chozer Bitshuvah | A Jew Who has Become Religious |
| Chutzpah | Audacity; Utter Nerve |
| L | |
| La’azor | To Help |
| Lachshov She | To Think That… |
| Lachzor Habayita | To Return Home |
| Ladredet Sheleg | To Snow |
| Lailah Tov | Goodnight |
| Lagur, Lehitgorer | To Live, To Reside |
| Lakachat | To Take |
| Lakachat Chelek | To Take Part |
| Lakivun Hahu | That Way |
| Lariv | To Fight |
| Lashevet | To Sit |
| Lashon Harah | Evil Tongue; Forbidden Speach |
| Lasim | To Put |
| Latet et HaKol | Go All Out; Full On |
| Le’acher | To Be Late |
| Le’an AtahNose’a? | Where Are You Going? |
| Le’asher | To Comfirm |
| Lechaber | To Attach |
| Lechapes | To Search For |
| LeChayim! | To Life! |
| Ledave’ach | To Report |
| Lehafsid | To Lose Out; To Lose |
| Lehamir | To Change (from a transaction) |
| Leharim Et HaKol | To Raise or Lift One’s Voice; To Shout |
| Lehatchil Belimudim | To Start Lessons |
| Lehavin | To Understand |
| Lehibachen | To Test; To Take a Test |
| Lehirakev, Lehitkalkel | To Get Rotten, To Go Bad |
| Lehitorer | To Wake Up |
| Lehitra’ot | See You Later; See You Again; See You Soon; So Long |
| Lehitya’etz Im Rofe | To Consult a Doctor |
| Lehityaker | To Go Up In Price |
| Lehitztanen | Catch a Cold |
| Lehitra’ot BaErev | I’ll See You in the Evening (response upon departing) |
| Lehosif | To Add |
| Lemale | To Fill Out |
| Lenatze’ach, Lizkot | Attain, To Win |
| Lesames | To Text |
| Leshahek | To Hiccup |
| LeShaim Shamayim | For the Sake of Heaven |
| LeShanah Tovah | For a Good Year |
| Levaker Krovey Mishpacha | To Visit Relatives |
| Lichora | As it Appears; Apparently; On the Face of it |
| Lichroa | To Squat |
| Lidchof | To Push |
| Lifgosh | To Meet |
| Lifnei Shnatayim | The Year Before Last |
| Lihiyot Ba’al Dea | To Have an Opinion |
| Lihiyot Male | To be Full |
| Likfotz | To Jump |
| Limroach Krem | To Apply (a cream) |
| Limtoach | To Stretch |
| Liskhor | To Rent |
| Lischot | To Swim |
| Litfor | To Sew |
| Litzboa | To Paint |
| Livkot | To Cry (tears) |
| Lizkor | To Remember |
| Lo | No; Not |
| Lo Adkani | Out of Date |
| Lo Ba Li | I Don’t Feel Like it |
| Lo Bediyuk | Not Exactly |
| Lo BeshiMush | Not in Use; Not Working |
| Lo Kol Kach | Not So Good; Not So Much |
| Lo Ra | Not Bad |
| Lu’ach | Blackboard |
| M | |
| Ma? | What? |
| Macher | A Big Shot; Man with Contacts |
| Mach’leket Nosim | Economy Class |
| Mach’shev Nayad | Laptop |
| Madaf S’farim | Bookshelf |
| Magiyah Lo | To Him it Should be Received; He Deserves it |
| Maher | Quickly |
| Mah Atah O’mer? | What are You Saying? |
| Mah Hainyaim? | What’s the News? |
| Mah Hasha’ah? | What Time is it? |
| Mah Hashem Shelcha? | What’s Your Name? (response: Hashem sheli “My name is _____ ) |
| Mah Lecha? | What’s it to You? |
| Mah Nishmah? | What is Heard?; What’s New? (response: Lo Kelum”Nothing” |
| Mah Shlomecha? (masc.) Mah Shlomech? (fem.) | How are You? (responses: uMah Shlomecha / Shlomech? orv’Atah? “and How are You?; Tov Me’od, Todah “Very Well, Thanks”; Tov Todah “Fine / Good, Thanks”; BeSeder, B”H “Fine, Baruch HaShem” |
| Mah Shlom’chem? (masc. plural) Mah Shlom’chen? (fem. plural) | How are You? |
| Ma Shim’cha? | What’s your Name? |
| Mah Yesh? | What Do You Have?; What’s the Matter?; What’s the Problem? |
| Mah Zeh? | What is This? |
| Marat | Married Woman; Mrs. |
| Maslul Beinleumi | International Route |
| Matayim | Two Hundred |
| Mazel uBracha! (Yiddish – Mazel und Brucha) | Blessings and Congratulations! |
| Mazel Tov! | Congratulations! |
| Me’ah Achuz | For Sure; 100% Certain |
| Me’at | A Little |
| Mechiah | A Great Feeling; Relief |
| Mah Chadash? | What’s New? (response: Ein Chadash “Nothing’s New” |
| Mench | A Nice Gentleman; Good Person; Good Jew |
| Meshuga | Crazy |
| Metzuyan! | Perfect! |
| Meyabesh Se’ar | Hair Dryer |
| Meytav Halchulim! | Best Wishes! |
| MiDei Pa’Am | From Time to Time |
| Mitzta’er | I’m Sorry |
| Mivta Ashkenazi | Ashkenazi Acent |
| Mivta Sefardi | Sephardic Accent |
| Mivta Yisraeli | Israeli Accent |
| Mo’adim LeSimcha! (Sefardic) | Happy Holiday / Festival; Times for Joy; Seasons of Joy |
| Motza’ei Shabbat | Saturday Evening; Night after Shabbat |
| N | |
| Naim Me’od | It’s a Pleasure; Pleased to Meet You (greeting at meeting) |
| Nasi Chevra | President (of a company) |
| Nehedar, Yo’fi | Wonderful, Great |
| Neshomeleh | Sweet Soul; Sweetheart; Darling |
| Nesia Tovah | Have a Good Trip |
| Neyar Devek | Scotch Tape |
| Neyar Tu’alet | Toilet Paper |
| Niftar (masc.) Nifterah (fem.) | Died; Passed Away |
| Niyar Tishu | Tissue Paper |
| Nolad (masc.) Noldah (fem.) | Born |
| Nu? (Yiddish) | So?; Well? |
| O | |
| Ochel Yapani | Japanese Food |
| Ofano’a | Motorcycle |
| Or Adom | Red Light |
| P | |
| Pach Ash’pah | Garbage Pail |
| Pachot O Yoter | Not Far Off; Approximately |
| Panah Be-Pinah | Turn a Corner |
| Pasey Rakevet | Train Track |
| Pelefon | Cell Phone |
| R | |
| Rachmana Litzlon! | Heaven Forbid! |
| Rah Me’od | Very Bad |
| Rakevet Mekomit | Local Train |
| Rav Todah! | Many Thanks! |
| Refuah Shleimah! | (May You Have) a Complete Recovery! |
| Regah | One Moment |
| Rishayon Nehiga | Driver’s License |
| Rosh Chodesh | First of the Month |
| S | |
| Sa’arah B’Kos Mayim | Making a Big Deal Out of Nothing |
| Savlanut! | Patience! |
| Se’ar Blondini | Blonde Hair |
| Se’ar Shachor | Black Hair |
| Selicha | Pardon |
| Selach Li | Excuse Me |
| Sfaradit | Spanish |
| Sicha Mekomit | Local Phone Call (within the city) |
| SH | |
| Sha’ar | Gate; Ticket Gate |
| Shabbat Shalom Lekulam | Good Sabbath to Everyone |
| Shabbat Shalom uMevorach | A Peaceful and Blessed Sabbath |
| Shalom | Peace; Hello; Goodbye |
| Shalom uv’racha | Peace and Blessing |
| Shanah (Shanim, pl.) | Year (Years) |
| Shanah Tovah! | Happy New Year! |
| Sha’on Me’orer | Alarm Clock |
| Shavua Tov (Yiddish “Gut Vach”) | Good Week |
| Sheka | Power Socket |
| Sheket! | Quiet |
| Shkoyach! | Thanks! |
| Sherut Hashkama | Wake Up Service |
| Shlomi’ Tov | I’m Fine |
| Shmi | My Name is |
| Shomrei Mitzvot | Keeper of the Commandments; the Orthodox; Observant Jews; Abiding by all rules and regulations. |
| Shul’chan Mit’bach | Kitchen Table |
| T | |
| Ta’amin Li! | Believe (to) Me; (Just) Believe Me! |
| Tihye Ba’ri | Be Healthy |
| Titkasher’ Elai! | Call Me! |
| Titchadesh (masc.); Titchadshi (fem) | Wear it well! (Said when buying new clothing) |
| Todah | Thank You |
| Todah Lailah Tov | Thanks, Goodnight |
| Todah Rabbah | Thank You Very Much |
| Todah veShalom | Thank You and Goodbye |
| Tov Me’od Todah | Very Well, Thanks |
| Tov Todah | Ok, Thank You |
| Tuchal La’azor Li? | Can You Help Me? |
| Tzad Mizrachi | East Side |
| Tzaharaim Tovim | Good Afternoon (response upon departing) |
| Tzarfatit | French |
| Tzimchoni | Vegetarian |
| Tzipor Ktana | Small Bird |
| Tzom Kal | May You Have an Easy Fast |
| U | |
| Ulai | Perhaps |
| Umot HaOlam | Nations of the World |
| V | |
| Vadai, beVadai! | Of Course! |
| Y | |
| Yasher Koach! | Thanks. Literally, “May You Have Strength!” |
| Yetzuyat Cherum | Emergency Exit |
| Yihyeh BeSeder | It Will be in Order; Everything Will be Ok; It Will all Work Out |
| Yom; Yamim | Day; Days |
| Yomayim | Two Days |
| Yom HaShabbat | The Day of Sabbath; The Sabbath Day |
| Yom Huledet | Birthday |
| Yom Huledet Same’ach! | Happy Birthday! |
| Yom Meunan | Cloudy Day |
| Yom Tov | A good Day (applied to the Festivals) |
| Yoter | More |
| Z | |
| Zakain (masc.) Zekainah (fem.) | Old |
| Zakan | Beard |
| Zechrono L’Vracha | May His Memory Be For Blessing |
| Zechut Avot | Merit of the Fathers |
| Zeh Chashuv | Its Important |
| Zeh HaKol | That’s it |
| Zeh Klum! | It’s Nothing! |
| Zeh Lo Meshane | It Doesn’t Matter |
| Zeh Mah Sheyesh | This is What There is; There is No More |
| Zeh Mean’yen | It’s Interesting |
| Zeh Mesukan | It’s Dangerous |
| ZK”L – Acronym for Zecher Kadosh Livracha | May the Memory of the Saintly be for Blessing; for a saintly martyr (including those murdered by enemies of the Jews) |
| Zmanim Moderni’im | Modern Times |
| Z”L – Acronym for Zichrono Livracha, masc.; Zichronah Livracha, fem. | Of Blessed Memory; or May His/Her Memory be for Blessing (for a non-rabbinical figure) |
| Zot Omeret | In Other Words |
| ZT”L / ZTz”L – Acronym for Zecher Tzaddik Livracha | May the Memory of the Righteous be for Blessing |
This is a wonderful word list. I love when phrases are taught in a foreign language so one knows a bit how to put sentences or thoughts together.
I would love to add a column for the phrase written in Hebrew print. Possible?
Sue Mackson
Poughkeepsie, NY