Kacha ze, ein ma la’asot, “This is the way it is, there’s nothing you can do about it”, is something you hear a lot in Israel. Today we learn how to use it, and other expressions using the verb la’asot, to do. Make sure you listen well! The episode is short and sweet.

Words and expressions discussed:

Ma la’asot? – What can you do? – ?מה לעשות

Ein ma la’asot – There’s nothing you can do about it – אין מה לעשות

Kacha ze, ein ma la’asot – This is the way it is, nothing you can do about it – ככה זה, אין מה לעשות

Ve-ein li ma la’asot – And I’ve got nothing to do – ואין לי מה לעשות

Ein li ma la’asot im ze – I’ve got nothing to do with it – אין לי מה לעשות עם זה

Mishehu tsarich mechonat kvisa? – Does anyone need a laundry machine? – ?מישהו צריך מכונת כביסה

Ein li ma la’asot im ha-mechona ha-yeshana – I’ve got nothing to do with the old machine – אין לי מה לעשות עם המכונה הישנה

Mitsta’arim, ein lanu mamash ma la’asot im ze – Sorry, we don’t really have anything we could do with this – מצטערים, אין לנו מה לעשות עם זה

Ma osim im…? – What does one do with/What do we do with…? – ?…מה עושים עם

Ma osim im kilo agasim? – What does one do with one kilogram of pears? – ?מה עושים עם קילו אגסים

Ma Osim Im Kol Ze? – What do you with all this? – ?מה עושים עם כל זה

Ma osim kshe-…? – What does one do when…? – ?…מה עושים כש

Eich osim pie agasim – How do you make a pear pie? – ?איך עושים פאי אגסים

Az ma osim – So what are we going to do? – ?אז מה עושים

Ma osim machar? – What are we doing tomorrow? – ?מה עושים מחר

Eich osa para? – What sound does a cow make? – ?איך עושה פרה

La’asot mishehu/mishehi – To do someone (sex) – לעשות מישהו/מישהי

Mi osé ma? – Who is doing what? – ?מי עושה מה

Music:

Dana International – Ma La’asot (lyrics)
Maor Cohen – Ein Ma La’asot (lyrics)
Ha-dorbanim – Yatsanu Lirkod (lyrics)
Mosh Ben-Ari – Ma Osim (lyrics)

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2 comments on “Yalla, Let’s Do It to It

  1. David Trapp says:

    Maybe the title is wrong? It’s not about yalla, it would seem…

    1. TLV1 Radio says:

      The title is correct but, you’re right, could be a bit confusing.

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