Essential Hebrew Phrases for Travel to Israel
Knowing a few key Hebrew phrases for travel can transform your experience in Israel. Even basic Hebrew - a greeting, a thank you, ordering at a restaurant - makes a huge impression and opens doors. This guide covers the most useful expressions across six everyday situations, with Hebrew script, pronunciation, and English translation.
Quick Pronunciation Key
ch / khGuttural sound, like the Scottish "loch" - used for ח and כ
eiSounds like "ay" in "day"
aShort "ah" sound
oLong "oh" sound
(m) / (f)Hebrew has gendered verb and adjective forms - m = masculine, f = feminine
👋 Greetings & Basics
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| שָׁלוֹם | Shalom | Hello / Peace / Goodbye |
| מַה שְׁלוֹמְךָ? | Ma shlomcha? (m) / Ma shlomech? (f) | How are you? |
| תּוֹדָה | Toda | Thank you |
| בְּבַקָּשָׁה | Bevakasha | Please / You're welcome |
| סְלִיחָה | Slicha | Excuse me / Sorry |
| לְהִתְרָאוֹת | Lehitraot | Goodbye (see you) |
| כֵּן / לֹא | Ken / Lo | Yes / No |
| אֲנִי לֹא מֵבִין | Ani lo mevin (m) / Ani lo mevinah (f) | I don't understand |
🗺️ Getting Around
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| אֵיפֹה...? | Eifo...? | Where is...? |
| יְמִינָה | Yemina | Right |
| שְׂמֹאלָה | Smola | Left |
| יָשָׁר | Yashar | Straight ahead |
| קָרוֹב / רָחוֹק | Karov / Rahok | Near / Far |
| אֵיפֹה הָתַחֲנָה? | Eifo hatahana? | Where is the station? |
🍽️ At Restaurants
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| אֲנִי רוֹצֶה... | Ani rotse... (m) / Ani rotsa... (f) | I would like... |
| הַחֶשְׁבּוֹן בְּבַקָּשָׁה | HaHeshbon, bevakasha | The bill, please |
| כַּמָּה זֶה עוֹלֶה? | Kama ze ole? | How much does this cost? |
| בְּלִי בָּשָׂר | Bli basar | Without meat |
| טָעִים מְאֹד! | Taim meod! | Very delicious! |
| יֵשׁ לָכֶם תַּפְרִיט בְּאַנְגְּלִית? | Yesh lachem tafrit be'anglit? | Do you have a menu in English? |
✈️ Transport & Airport
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| לִשְׂדֵה הַתְּעוּפָה | Lisdeh HaTeufa | To the airport |
| כַּמָּה עוֹלָה הַנְּסִיעָה? | Kama ola haNesia? | How much is the ride? |
| עֲצֹר כָּאן | Atzor kan | Stop here |
| מָה הַכְּתֹבֶת? | Ma haKtovet? | What's the address? |
| אֵיפֹה הַשִּׁירוּתִים? | Eifo hashirutim? | Where is the bathroom? |
🛍️ Shopping
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| כַּמָּה זֶה עוֹלֶה? | Kama ze ole? | How much is this? |
| יָקָר מִדַּי | Yakar midai | Too expensive |
| אֲנִי רַק מִסְתַּכֵּל/ת | Ani rak mistakel (m) / mistakelet (f) | Just looking |
| יֵשׁ לְךָ...? | Yesh lecha...? (m) / Yesh lach...? (f) | Do you have...? |
| אֶקַּח אֶת זֶה | Ekah et ze | I'll take this |
🚨 Emergency Phrases
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| עֶזְרָה! | Ezra! | Help! |
| קְרָא אַמְבּוּלַנְס! | Kra ambulans! | Call an ambulance! |
| מִשְׁטָרָה | Mishtara | Police |
| בֵּית חוֹלִים | Beit Holim | Hospital |
| אֲנִי אָבוּד/אֲנִי אֲבוּדָה | Ani avud (m) / Ani avuda (f) | I'm lost |
Tips for Using Hebrew Phrases in Israel
- →Most Israelis appreciate any attempt at Hebrew - even a simple "toda" (thank you) or "bevakasha" (please) goes a long way.
- →Many Israelis in tourist areas and cities speak English, but starting a conversation in Hebrew is warmly received.
- →The guttural sounds (ח, כ, ר) take practice. Don't worry about perfection - native speakers will understand you even with an accent.
- →Hebrew is gendered, so verb forms change based on speaker gender. When in doubt, the masculine form is generally understood.
- →Israeli street names and signs often have transliterations alongside Hebrew, which helps you navigate without reading Hebrew fully.
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