Streetwise Hebrew

Today’s episode explores everything to do with sleep, and how we talk about it in Hebrew.

This is our 100th podcast episode – time to say, “toda raba.” So on this special occasion, we’ll learn how to thank someone both profusely and cynically in Hebrew.

Hebrew has this interesting structure: Verb “haya” (past tense of “to be”) plus a conjugated verb in the present, like “hayiti holech.”

An עוזר is an “assistant,” but could also mean “he’s helping” – a verb in the present tense. How are you supposed to know which one it is?

Guy teaches us the important Hebrew words that come from the root “ע.מ.ד” including “la’amod” – “to stand.”

Many things “happen” here in the Holy Land, which is why the root “kara” – ק.ר.ה – with all its derivatives, is so popular.

Today we’ll learn words and phrases you’ll hear on the phone while on hold, plus a tip how to quickly reach a real live customer service rep.

תאומים are twins, from the root תאמ. This Hebrew root is also used for things relating to matching, fitting, and coordinating. Mat’im lachem?

The Hebrew word ‘sherut’ means ‘service,’ but the plural – ‘sherutim’ – is more commonly used to mean something quite different