Learn Hebrew
English | Hebrew | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Hello | שלום | |||
Good evening | ערב טוב | |||
Goodbye | להתראות | |||
See you later | נתראה יותר מאוחר | |||
Yes | כן | |||
No | לא | |||
Please! | סליחה, בבקשה | |||
Thanks | תודה | |||
Thanks a lot | תודה רבה | |||
Thank you for your help | תודה על העזרה | |||
Don't mention it | בבקשה | |||
Don't mention it | על לא דבר | |||
Ok | בסדר | |||
How much is it? | ?מה המחיר בבקשה | |||
Sorry! | סליחה | |||
I don't understand | אני לא מבין | |||
I get it | הבנתי | |||
I don't know | אני לא יודעת | |||
Forbidden | אסור | |||
Excuse me, where are the toilets? | ?סליחה, איפה השרותים | |||
Happy New Year! | שנה טובה! | |||
Happy birthday! | יום-הולדת שמח! | |||
Happy holiday! | חג שמח! | |||
Congratulations! | כל הכבוד! | |||
Congratulations! | ברכות! |
First contact
How to learn Hebrew by yourself? Start with an easy and free online course!
We have adopted an objective and efficient approach to learn how to speak a language easily and quickly: we suggest you to start by memorizing words, phrases, and practical expressions that you can use in everyday life and that will be useful when traveling.
Getting used to pronounce words out loud, numbers for instance, is an easy exercise that you can often practice and at any time throughout the day.
It will help you to get used to the sounds of your chosen language and thus make it more familiar.
And once your holidays have begun, in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or elsewhere in Israel, you will be surprised how familiar and easy to understand it will seem.
Furthermore, using a pocket dictionary is always useful, particularly during a trip. It enables you to find the translation of new words and enrich your vocabulary.
Why speak Hebrew while traveling?
A powerful economy that invests in advanced technology
Rich in history and culture, Israel has a strong economy, with booming industries, especially those related to technological development. In fact, its investment in research is one of the factors which explains the country's considerable contributions to the fields of science, medicine, agriculture, and computing.
A remarkable tourist destination
The country has many national parks and nature reserves, with diverse landscapes. Israel shares access to the Dead Sea with other countries in the region, a destination which attracts tourists from all over the world.
This country also has a rich and vibrant culture, and has sacred places of the highest order - such as the Tower of David, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Wailing Wall, the Baha'i holy places, and the Incense Route.
On the Mediterranean side, you will discover exceptional nightlife and gastronomic places of the first order (your diet may take a big hit!).
Make a success of your stay in Israel
Whether you are going to spend a few days with friends for a leisure trip or if you are on a business trip, nothing will be more useful to you than to be able to slip a few words in the language of your interlocutors, who will appreciate your effort and will be certainly more willing to help.
How to succeed in having good pronunciation within a week to a month?
You will need to master the alphabet and its punctuation. The official language of Israel, Hebrew is spoken by around 8 million people. Its writing uses a consonantal alphabet of twenty-two letters, some of which have more than one pronunciation. One of the markers that helps define the pronunciation which should be used is the dagesh (a dot in the middle of a letter). Here are some examples:
The Pé is pronounced P with the dagesh and is pronounced F without it;
The Kaf is pronounced K with the dagesh and pronounced Het if there isn't one;
The Bet is pronounced B with the dagesh and is pronounced V without the marker.
The duration of the vowels is another important point, since many morphological constructions depend on this distinction. Generally, the correct pronunciation of Hebrew places the tonic accent on the last syllable of a word.
We invite you to listen to the pronunciation of the letters by clicking on the following link: Hebrew alphabet with audio.
1 | א | Aleph | |
2 | בּ | Beth | 2 |
3 | גּ | Gimel | 3 |
4 | דּ | Daleth | 4 |
5 | ה | Hey | 5 |
6 | ו | Waw | 6 |
7 | ז | Zayin | 7 |
8 | ח | Heth | 8 |
9 | ט | Teth | 9 |
10 | י | Yod | 10 |
11 | כּ | Kaph | 20 |
12 | ל | Lamed | 30 |
13 | מ | Mem | 40 |
14 | נ | Nun | 50 |
15 | ס | Samek | 60 |
16 | ע | Ayin | 70 |
17 | פּ | Pey | 80 |
18 | צ | Tsade | 90 |
19 | ק | Koph | 100 |
20 | ר | Resh | 200 |
21 | שׂ | Sin, Shin | 300 |
22 | תּ | Taw | 400 |
Practical Tips for Learning Hebrew
1. Start with the Basics
Begin by learning the Hebrew alphabet and basic pronunciation rules. This foundation will help you read and speak Hebrew more accurately.
2. Build Your Vocabulary
Focus on everyday words and phrases that you are likely to use. Flashcards and language apps can be very helpful in expanding your vocabulary.
3. Practice Speaking
Speak Hebrew as much as possible. Practice with native speakers or fellow learners. Use language exchange platforms to find conversation partners.
4. Immerse Yourself
Immerse yourself in the language through Hebrew media. Watch Hebrew movies, listen to Hebrew music, and follow Hebrew news. This will help improve your listening skills and familiarize you with the cultural context.
5. Use Online Resources
There are many official online resources to help you learn Hebrew:
- Teach me Hebrew: An excellent, comprehensive site in English.
6. Take a Language Course
Consider enrolling in a language course with a qualified teacher. Personalized instruction can accelerate your learning and help you master difficult concepts.
7. Stay Consistent
Consistency is key. Practice Hebrew daily, even if only for a few minutes. Regular exposure and practice will lead to steady progress.
By following these steps and utilizing the available resources, you can start speaking and understanding Hebrew in no time. Happy learning!