You don’t need to be a millennial to appreciate that learning should – and can – be fun. But sometimes when learning a new language it can instead feel overwhelming and frustrating, especially if you’re used to sounding smart, witty and eloquent. This struggle is one that often comes up in Israel, where so many cultures and languages converge onto a tiny piece of land. This makes learning the native language, Hebrew, a must!
So how can you have a smashing time learning a new lingo? Obvi, by learning its expressions and idioms, and how they speak to the cultures quarks.
For ideas on the most popular Hebrew expressions that tourists, students from abroad and new residence learn, we turned to the students of Naale’s free Jewish high school program in Israel, for a listable of Hebrew expressions and how they translate across the many English speaking dialects of its student base.
We hope you have as much fun reading it as we did making it!
- Ha’Kol B’sader – הכל בסדר
Literal translation: Everything is in order
America: I’z all good
Australia: She’ll be right
Britain: Fine an’ dandy
South Africa: Lekker
- Chaim Tootim – חיים תותים
Literal translation: Life of strawberries
America: The sweet life
Australia: Sweet as
Britain: A dog’s life, coming up roses
South Africa: Living the jol
- Chaim She’Li – חיים שלי
Literal translation: My life
America: Sweetheart
Australia: My sheila
Britain: M’luv
South Africa: My china
- Sababa – סבבה
Literal translation: Great
America: Cool beans
Australia: Gold
Britian: Ship shape
South Africa: Sick
- Lo Mi’shanae – לא משנה
Literal translation: It makes no difference
America: No biggie
Australia: No worries
Britian: Never mind
South Africa: No worries
- Stam – סתם
Literal translation: without intent
America: Just kidding
Australia: Just joshin
Britian: Random
South Africa: Jokes
- Ei’ze Keta – איזה קטע
Literal translation: What a laugh
America: How funny!
Australia: Pickle me grandmother
Britain: What a palaver!
South Africa: Se-ri-us
- Kapara – כפרה
Literal translation: Atonement
America: Babes
Australia: Darling
Britain: Dearie
South Africa: My love
- Mamash – ממש
Literal translation: Really
America: Literally
Australia: bloody-oath
Britain: Really
South Africa: Dinkum
- Ba Li – בא לי
Literal translation: It comes to me
America: I’m in the mood
Australia: I fancy
Britain: I fancy
South Africa: I feel
- Chabibi – חביבי
Literal translation: My friend
America: Dude
Australia: Mate, pronounced Maaaate
Britain: Mate
South Africa: Boet
- Imal’e – אמאלה
Literal translation: Mommy
America: OMG
Australia: Fair Dinkin
Britain: Blimey
South Africa: Hectic
Now, for the real challenge, use three of these Hebrew expressions in your native tongue. I’ll start:
Chabibi, you’re mamash in for chaim tootim in Israel once you get these expressions down-pat!
You’re up next…