- שלום (Shalom) – Hello, goodbye, peace.
When you can’t remember if you’re coming or going, this is your word.
- תודה (Toda) – Thank you.
For when someone hands you a falafel, and it feels like they’ve given you the moon.
- בבקשה (Bevakasha) – Please, or you’re welcome.
Use it generously to sound like a polite alien.
- סליחה (Slicha) – Excuse me or sorry.
For bumping into camels, cacti, or chairs—basically, anything starting with a “C.”
- כן (Ken) – Yes. Because sometimes, nodding just doesn’t cut it.
- לא (Lo) – No. Your go-to for declining second helpings or marriage proposals from strangers.
- איפה? (Eifo?) – Where? Because “Where’s the party?” is a universal quest.
- מים (Mayim) – Water. Not just water, but the magical elixir against the Middle Eastern sun.
- שירותים (Sherutim) – Bathrooms. A word that opens doors, quite literally.
- חשבון (Heshbon) – Bill/check. Not just a bill, but the end of your culinary adventures.
- בית קפה (Beit Kafe) – Coffee house. Where coffee turns into an extreme sport.
- מוזיאון (Muzeon) – Museum. Where you pretend to understand art to impress your friends.
- חוף (Hof) – Beach. Sun, sand, and the mysterious case of disappearing flip-flops.
- מסעדה (Misada) – Restaurant. A place to test your mime skills when you can’t pronounce the menu.
- תחנת אוטובוס (Tachanat Otobus) – Bus station. Where waiting becomes a form of meditation.
- רכבת (Rakevet) – Train. Because experiencing life in slow motion can sometimes be a good thing.
- מונית (Monit) – Taxi. The ultimate test of your negotiation skills and faith in humanity.
- בסדר (Beseder) – Alright/OK. The word you use when nothing is alright, but you’re trying to stay positive.
- מה שלומך? (Ma shlomcha? /Ma shlomech?) – How are you? A way to make friends or confuse strangers.
- לילה טוב (Laila Tov) – Good night. What you say when the day has been so bizarre, that you’re not sure if you’re saying goodbye or good riddance.
Signing off now, but before I go, remember: the best way to navigate Israel is one ‘Shalom’ at a time. See you in the next post 🙂
