1. "Ani rotzah cafe car im kerach, bevakasha." — I want a cold coffee with ice, please.
Anyone who has been to Israel knows that "ice cafe" refers to the slushy, Starbucks Frappucino-like drink that is more like a dessert than a morning coffee fix. Contrary to popular belief, "Americanized iced coffee" is available at Aroma cafe and a multitude of other places, you just need to ask for cold coffee with ice!
2. "Eifo l’shirutim?" — Where’s the bathroom?
This one is very important to know. Though I’ve mastered the art of asking for the location of the bathroom in Hebrew, I can never understand people’s answers. Maybe it is time to learn the Hebrew words for "left" and "right."
3. "Ani lomedet Ivrit b’universitah, aval ani lo medaberet Ivrit tov." — I study Hebrew at university, but I don’t speak Hebrew well.
I struggle to hold a basic Hebrew conversation. I can, however, tell you that my Hebrew is sucky in perfect Hebrew. You win some, you lose some, nachon (true)?
4. "Cacha chacha." — So-so.
This is my answer when people ask me how my Hebrew is. Slicha (sorry) it's not tov meod (very good)
5. "Atah medaber Anglit?" — Do you speak English?
Hey, at least I asked you in Hebrew. That’s a start, isn’t it?
6. "Yesh li tabaot im hamsot?" - Do you have rings with Hamsas?
I am on the hunt for the perfect hamsa ring, so I took my search to the next level by learning how to say it in Hebrew.
7. "AVOTIACH! ANAVIM! TOOTIM! TAPOOZIM! ESHCOLIOT!" — Watermelon! Grapes! Strawberries! Oranges! Grapefruits!
If I learned nothing else in Hebrew class, I learned how to say my fruits. I exercise my knowledge every time I go to a grocery store or shuk (market) by pointing and screaming. It will never get old, I promise.
8. "Lo" — No
If you were ever told that the word "no" is universal, you were lied to. Here in Israel, when you are opposed to something, you say "lo." I have started to use this one instinctively; does that mean I am turning into an Israeli?
9. "Ani ohevet otach, Yisrael!" — I love you, Israel!
Oh Israel, I love you and your beautiful sights — the fact that I can buy as much wine as my little heart desires with my real ID (which you don't even ask for 98 percent of the time) while inside your borders, your hot soldiers and basically everything else about you.
10. "Sababa, habibi." — Cool, bro
Sababa is the Hebrew word for "cool," and obviously its a hundred times as cool as the word cool is. It is also used in the place of "okay," "true," "awesome," "good," and all other related words. Habibi refers to a friend, but in a "bro" or "babe" type of way. Was that translation sababa, habibi?
