Hebrew is a rich and diverse language with many different dialects. One of the most interesting languages in Israel is slang, which has its own vocabulary, expressions and regional variations.
Israeli’s have invented hundreds of new words to describe their day-to-day life in Hebrew slang. Slang is also known as sabras or “the language of the country”.
Today we’ll look at some examples you can use, and their meanng.
Table of Contents
1. Achi (אחי)
Translation: “my brother”
Meaning: “my friend”
Saying “achoti” (אחי) to someone will make them feel like you really care about them. It’s used to emphasize that the person is close in your life, but it can also be used sarcastically when angry with a friend or family member.
2. Kravat (קרבץ)
Translation: “raid” or “attack”
Meaning: “boring person, someone who is easily annoyed by trivial things.” A kravat can also be used when talking about an event that was so boring it felt like it lasted days.
3. Eyal (איל)
Translation: “calm, cool”
Meaning: “calm, cool, relaxed”
4. B’chorrim (בחורים)
Translation: “young people”
Meaning: A young man who goes out to nightclubs and parties a lot. A b’chorrim may also be known as a geltim gadol (“big shots”); a rich kid who has a lot of money to spend on expensive clothes, shoes and accessories.
5. Od Lirkod (אוד לרקוד)
Translation: “song for dancing” or “music to dance by.”
Meaning: A song that you either sing along to at the top of your lungs, or one that makes you want to dance.
6. Hamaich (המעיט)
Translation: “to hit” or “to knock.”
Meaning: A word to use when you want to say that you had a really good time, or if someone tells you an amazing story. You can also describe something as being so good, it’s like it will knock your socks off.
7. Grush (גרוש)
Translation: “to be kicked out” or to have someone leave your house.
Meaning: This word is used when talking about a person who has been forced to leave their home for some reason. If you say you were “kicked out” of your house, it means that you left on your own without being told to leave.
8. Yalla (ילה)
Translation: “come on”, or “let’s go!”
Meaning: A way to urge someone else to do something right away, like if you’re telling them to hurry up or come with you. You can also use it when trying to encourage someone who is feeling down, like saying “come on!” If something exciting happens, you might say “yalla” as a way of expressing your excitement.
9. Sagur/zehgur (סגור)
Translation: “to be closed”
Meaning: A word to use when you want someone to leave so that you can go back inside and relax, or if something is about to start. It’s a way of telling people not to come in because the door will soon be closed. If it starts raining while you’re outside and want everyone else to come inside, you might say “zehgur!” to try and convince them.
10. Ketem (קתם)
Translation: “done” or “finished.”
Meaning: To express that something is complete; it’s over now. You can use this word when talking about your day at school, hanging out with friends or on a date. You can also use it when describing something that has no more value. For example, you would say “my homework is ketem!” to mean your work is finished and there’s nothing left for you to do.
