Photo: Zipa Kempinsky

The word זַיִן, which is also how we say the 7th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, is defined as the male reproductive organ. It is a word we hear a lot in Hebrew because it is in many slang terms – many of which are not necessarily related to sex.

Today we learn a few of these sayings and find out the connection between the term ‘friends with benefits’ and Austrian composer Franz Schubert.

New Words and Expressions:

Zayin – Penis – זין

Koos –Vagina – כוס

“Ha-aretz mitpatachat kmo ha-zayin sheli” – “The country is developing like my dick” – הארץ מתפתחת כמו הזין שלי

Yedidoot – Friendship – ידידות

Yezizoot – “friendship with benefits” – יזיזות

Yadid – Platonic friend – ידיד

Yaziz – Friend with benefit – יזיז

Eize zayin – What a bummer – איזה זין

Eize zayin hu – He is such a prick – איזה זין הוא

Ani sam zayin – I don’t give a damn – אני שם זין

Lasim zayin – Not to give a damn – לשים זין

Ani lo sam alav zayin – I don’t give a damn about him – אני לא שם עליו זין

Al hazayin sheli – I don’t care – על הזין שלי

Playlist and Clips:

Alef-bet – Naomi Shemer, lyrics

Franz Schubert – Gretchen am Spinnrade

Rami Kleinstein – Chutz mimech klumlyrics

Johnny Blaze – Yedidim o yezizim

Yafti – Dvarim Muzari, lyrics

Ha-yehudim – Im kvar, lyrics 

Hagar Dadon – Al ha-zayin sheli (lyrics under youtube clip)

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.

6 comments on “Sex Words 2: Zayin

  1. Judy Kropf says:

    Thanks, Guy! Just saw/listened to this episode at my computer. I left Israel in 89 and have been back to visit a lot, but wow, so many new words and expressions! Thanks for keeping me culturally up to date!

    כל הכבוד, Judy

    1. Guy Sharett says:

      Toda raba Judy! Thanks so much for your kind words. We have more than 250 episodes waiting for you on your podcast app.

  2. Claire says:

    does יזיזות only refer to friends with benefits if a penis is involved? can it be used for women fuck buddies too?

    1. Guy Sharett says:

      Yes, yezizut is a general term.

  3. Daniel says:

    Bravo for the podcast.
    I learn both hebrew and english with you.
    Toda Raba
    Daniel, From Paris, trsarfat

  4. Ra Ya says:

    Thanks to you for these musical examples because they help to remember words much easier than from other podcasts ! I am not a young chick, but it is true. Тhe opera piece sounds in my ears while I am writing … Funny, but helpful ,, toda”!

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