The word “mischak” can mean so many things in Hebrew – from a game, a match, or a toy, to acting in a movie or a play. Host Guy Sharett explains this root, שֹחק, and teaches us how to thank a good friend who brought coffee to our office desk without even being asked.

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New words & expressions:

Lesachek – To play a game; to play with a toy; to act in a movie or play – לשֹחק

Lo lesachek im lev shel gever – Don’t play with a guy’s heart – לא לשֹחק עם לב של גבר

Mesachek be-esh – Playing with fire – משׂחק באש

Hu mesachek tafkid – He’s playing a role – הוא משׂחק תפקיד

Hu mesachek et ha-tafkid shel ha-rasha – He plays the part of the villain – הוא משׂחק את התפקיד של הרשע

Sichakt/Sichakta/Sichaktem ota (be’emet) – You’ve (really) nailed it; good on you – שׂיחקת אותה באמת

Wow, achi, sichakta ota, toda! – Wow, dude, you nailed it, thanks! – !וואו, אחי, שׂיחקת אותה, תודה

Sichakta ota im ha-espresso ha-ze – You nailed it with that espresso – שׂיחקת אותה עם האספרסו הזה

Lesachek ota metumtam – To play the fool – לשׂחק אותה מטומטם

Ata tesachek ta-mefager – You, just play the fool! (imperative) – אתה, תשׂחק ת’מפגר

Eize sichuk – Wow, we’re so lucky; perfect timing; well done – איזה שׂיחוק

Ze ha-kol rak mischak shel dma’ot – It’s all a game of tears – זה הכל רק משׂחק של דמעות

Mesachek – He’s playing – משׂחק

Mischak – Toy, game, play, match, acting – משׂחק

Amru lo she-hachayim ze lo mischak – They told him that life is not a game – אמרו לו שהחיים זה לא משׂחק

Mischak kaduregel – Football match – משׂחק כדורגל

Mischak klafim – Card game – משׂחק קלפים

Mischakei ha-kes – Game of Thrones – משׂחקי הכס

Mischak mesukan – Dangerous game – משׂחק מסוכן

Mischak machur – Fixed game – משׂחק מכור

Mischakiya – Games/toys area – משׂחקייה

Sachkan kadurgel/ kolno’a/ teatron – Football player; movie/theater actor – שחקן כדורגל, קולנוע, תיאטרון

Ha-seret mesuchak lo tov – The movie is not played well – הסרט משׂוחק לא טוב

Ha-mischak lo mashehu – The acting is not all that – המשׂחק לא משהו

Ramai – Cheater – רמאי

Leramot – To cheat – לרמות

Shakran – Liar – שקרן

Idiot, debil, mefager, metumtam, dafuk – Jerk –  אידיוט, דביל, מפגר, מטומטם, דפוק

 

Looking for the monologue text? It’s available to our patrons at patreon.com/streetwisehebrew.

 

Playlist and clips:
Eyal Golan – Lev Shel Gever (Lyrics)
Arik Einstein – Sus Etz (Lyrics)
Nikmat Ha-tractor – Mischak Shel Dma’ot (Lyrics)
Arik Einstein – Amru Lo (Lyrics)
Azzurro – Adriano Celentano
Kanyon Kanaan, Yarka (Commercial)

 

Want to see more Hebrew gems? Like Streetwise Hebrew on Facebook and Instagram.
Want Guy to talk about a pressing Hebrew issue? Find him at StreetWiseHebrew.com or follow him on Twitter.

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