Israelis are playing it tough most of the time. How do you ask an Israeli to do something for you? Here are some ideas on how to make your message come across, without sounding too bossy, which might wreak havoc in the Middle East.
New Words and Expressions:
Efshar – Possible – אפשר
Efshar lekabel mapit? – Could I have a napkin? – אפשר לקבל מפית
Efshar mapit? – Could I have a napkin? – אפשר מפית
Efshar espresso aroch – Could I have a long espresso? – אפשר אספרסו ארוך
Ata yakhol latet li mapit vaksha? – Could you give me a napkin please? – אתה יכול לתת לי מפית בבקשה
Ata yakhol ledaber ita? – Could you talk to her? – אתה יכול לדבר איתה
Ata yachol ledaber ita? – Could you talk to her? – אתה יכול לדבר איתה
Tuchal / tuchli / tuchlu lehagi’a machar ba’erev? – Could you make it tomorrow in the evening? – תוכל/תוכלי/תוכלו להגיע מחר בערב
Tuchli lavo be-eser? – Will you be able to come at ten? – תוכלי לבוא בעשר
Yesh matsav she titen li t’oto sh’kha? – Is there a way you’d give me your car? – יש מצב שתיתן לי ת’אוטו ש’ך
Ata ba la-mesiba machar? Yesh matsav – Will you come to my party tomorrow? Perhaps. – אתה בא למסיבה מחר? יש מצב
Yesh matsav she-tazmin eize pizza? – Can you order a pizza or something? – יש מצב שתזמין איזה פיצה
Ba lecha laasot et ze achshav? – Do you feel like doing this now? – בא לך לעשות את זה עכשיו
Ba lach lekalef et ha-avokado? – Do you feel like peeling the avocados? – בא לך לקלף את האבוקדו
Playlist and Clips:
Arik Einstein – Hen efshar (lyrics)
Arik Einstein – Don Quixote (lyrics)
Ha-saruf – Kol Ha-yom Sababa (lyrics)
Ep. no. 10 about politeness in Hebrew
