If you’re traveling to Israel with kids, you’ll be happy to know that many Israelis speak English. But that still doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the opportunity to learn some Hebrew!
Here are some basic words you might want to know on your upcoming visit to the Holy Land:
Greetings:
Hi — Hi
Bye — Bye
Ma kore? — What’s up?
Shalom — Hello/Bye/Peace
Hakol tov — Everything is good
Hakol tov? — Is everything good/OK?
Boker tov — Good morning
Erev tov — Good evening
Tzahara’im tovim — Good afternoon
Toda — Thank you
Toda Raba — Thank you very much
Bevakasha — Please
Sababa — All good
Time:
Boker — Morning
Tzaharaim — Noon
Achar tzahara’im — Afternoon
Erev — Evening
Layla — Night
Ma ha’sha’ah? — What time is it?
Asking for directions:
Eifo [insert place here] — Where is [insert place here]?
Kama zman (Zeh lo’keh’ach)? —How long (does this take)?
Eifo ha’sherootim? — Where is the bathroom?
Eifo ha’oto-boos? — Where is the bus?
Eifo ha’rakevet? — Where is the train?
Yamin — Right
Shmol — Left
Yashar — Straight
Shopping/dinning:
Kama ze ole? — How much does this cost?
Mayim be’vakasha — Water, please
Mayim mineralim be’vakasha — Mineral water, please
Mayim mugazim be’vakasha — Seltzer, please
Mey berez be’vakasha — Tap water, please
Efshar et ze bli [insert ingredient] — Can I have this without […]
Yesh li/lo/la alergia le‘ — I/he/she am/is allergic to
Laktoz — Lactose
Chalav — Milk
Glooten — Gluten
Botnim — Peanuts
Egozim — Nuts
Egozei melech — Walnuts
Soya — Soy
Heeta — Wheat
Sumsum — Sesame seeds
Check out the rest of our Israel guide for more useful tips for your next visit to Israel!