Streetwise Hebrew

Sick? Get Well Soon!

Hebrew provides plenty of ways to wish someone well, and they all depend on the severity of the illness. So what should we say to someone with a cold? How about the flu? Pneumonia? This winter, Guy provides a linguistic toolkit for all you well-wishers to use in almost any circumstance.

Read More

This Corner Store is Da Bomb

The Hebrew word פיצוץ (pitsuts) means explosion but is also used in the same fashion as the English phrase, “a blast,” meaning incredible or highly entertaining. And did you know that our neighborhood corner store is called a פיצוצייה (pitsutsiya)?

Read More

Put out the Fire

What does an Israeli judo champion mean when she says, האש כבתה לגמרי? In Hebrew, לכבות means to extinguish and to turn off. So please turn off all cell phones and listen as Guy explains all things כ.ב.ה.

Read More

Shoo! Get out of Here!

How do you say “buzz off” or “beat it” in Hebrew? And how might it relate to paying off your mortgage? Guy explains.

Read More

Can You Hurry It Up? Quick!

Israelis need everything here and now, immediately. Preferably yesterday. That’s why the Hebrew word זריז (zariz), quick or quickly, is constantly in use. This episode is a crash course (קורס מזורז) on the root ז.ר.ז.

Read More

You Shouldn’t Steal

In Hebrew, גנב (ganav) is a thief. Perhaps you already know its Yiddish pronunciation, ganef (גאַנעוו). But there are other, more exciting words that belong to the Hebrew root גנב, including several slang uses. Guy explains.

Read More

Take a Look Around You

The Hebrew words סביב (saviv), סביבה (sviva), מסביב (misaviv), סבב (sevev), all come from the ס.ב.ב root. They also come in very handy in spoken Hebrew. So today, Guy explains the many words and phrases that stem from this interesting root.

Read More

We Deserve Special Treatment

We all deserve to receive good customer service and to be treated with respect. But let’s be real – that’s not always the case. The Hebrew word יחס means treatment, attention, and service, while the plural יחסים means relations.

Read More

It’s Time to Decide

“You decide.” “No you decide.” “No no, you decide!” So many decisions to make. On this episode, Guy talks about Hebrew words and phrases related to decision-making.

Read More

You’re So Wrong!

What Hebrew words and phrases can we use to disagree with someone? Which can be written in a reply online but not said to someone face to face? And which can be said but not written, and what intonation will give that extra oomph?

Read More