‘Yalla,’ Let’s Go!

One of the most used words in Israeli slang is actually from Arabic. Yalla is used to encourage someone to do something, but with the right intonation you can deliver an array of different notions. Yalla, press ‘play!’

Listen to the All-Hebrew Version of this Episode

Words and expressions discussed:

Yalla – Let’s do it / hurry up – יאללה

Yalla, zazim – Let’s make a move – יאללה, זזים

Yalla, ochlim – Let’s eat – יאללה, אוכלים

“Yalla, lech habaita” – Come on now, go home – יאללה, לך הביתה

Az yalla – So come on – אז יאללה

“Yalla Beitar” – Go ‘Beitar’! – יאללה, בית”ר

Yalla, yalla – Come on / Give me a break – יאללה, יאללה

Tov, yalla bye – Ok, bye – טוב, יאללה, ביי

Tov, yalla, mmmbye – Ok, bye – טוב, יאללה, ממממביי

Music:

Nancy Ajram – Yalla

“Yalla Now” Pepsi ad, Arabic

Sarit hadad – Yalla Lech Ha-bayita Moti (Lyrics here)

Lior Narkis – Az Yalla (Lyrics here)

Ariel Horowitz – Yalla Bye (Lyrics here)