Jewish phrases with translation into Russian. What do Jews wish for each other? Greetings Guide. ‎ Sababa ‎

Every language has words and phrases that you cannot do without. And expressing consent is one of them.

Of course, some get by with a simple nod.

But, you see, it’s much more pleasant to answer in Hebrew: “KEN!”, and besides, it won’t be too difficult.‎

It would seem that the article can be completed here - we found out what “yes” sounds like in Hebrew. But! There are still ways to express your agreement with something.
So, variations on the theme of the word “YES” in Hebrew.‎
‎

1.‎ ‎“Yes” in Hebrew is “KEN”.‎

כֵּן ‎

2.‎ Baseder

The most popular substitute for “yes” in Hebrew is “besEder.” The literal translation is “okay.” “BesEder” is the most accurate analogue of the English “OK”.

בְּסֵדֵר

3. Ok

By the way, “Ok” is also a win-win option - everyone will understand you. This is already a truly international word, and in Israel “Ok” is heard from all sides in various situations.‎

אוֹקֵי ‎

4.‎ Good
‎

“Okay” means “ok”, “agreed”! Very often used as a confirmation, instead of “Yes” in Hebrew. Just say “TOV”!

טוֹב ‎

5.‎ Excellent

And all similar epithets: “excellent”, “wonderful”, “magnificent”, “wonderful”. Affirmative phrases are ideal for expressing approval.

‎

6.‎ I agree!‎

Do you support someone's opinion? It is optimal to use the phrase “I agree with you.”
The verb “to agree” in Hebrew is leaskIm. Together with this verb, the preposition IM is used (translated into Russian as “with”).
Leaskim...

לְהַסְכִּים עִם

I agree with you(m). (anI maskim itha)
אני מסכים אתך‎ ‎‏

I agree with you(m). (ani maskima itha)
אני מסכימה אתך

7.‎ I allow

Used in situations where your approval is required for something. “I allow” (anI marchE/marsha). Permission. The verb “to allow” in Hebrew is learshot.‎

לְהַרְשוֹת

‎

8. Sababa
‎

“Sababa” is Hebrew slang for “Yes.” ‎

סַבַּבַּה!‏

Be careful here. “Sababa” is acceptable in a well-known company, in a narrow circle of “friends”, where everyone communicates quite closely and understands common jokes.

By the way, it’s easy to get into trouble with slang. To avoid sensitive situations, listen to the language, notice who, in what context and with what intonation uttered the slang phrase. Every little detail matters. Only when you are absolutely sure that it is appropriate, use the expression in your ‎speech.‎
‎

9.‎ With joy, enjoy!‎

It happens that a simple “yes” in Hebrew will sound a little dry. You can dilute boring neutral agreement with emotional phrases - “with joy”, “with pleasure!”:

For example, a mini-dialogue:

Can you pick me up on the road tomorrow? (tukhAl mahar leesOf otI ba-dereh?) - With pleasure! (ba-kef!)

תוכל מחר לאסוף אותי בדרך? - ‏ בכיף!‏

‎10.‎ No problem!‎

A very convenient and used phrase is “No problem!” – Ein beaiA!‎
‎- Will you help me?‎ (TaazOr?) *appeal to M
‎- No problem!‎ (Ein beay-ah)

תעזור לי? - אין בעיה

Perhaps we have listed the main forms of how to express your agreement with something.

Do you have any other ideas on how to replace the usual “YES”? ‎

If you live in Israel, but have not yet learned Hebrew... If you visit our beautiful country at least occasionally, remember these few expressions. They are so popular that knowing them you will already understand half of what is being said. Understanding Hebrew slang is extremely important if you are trying to learn the culture of the country you are in.

Al HaPanim על הפנים

Literary translation "On the face"

In slang it means: terrible

Example: When I get the flu, I feel like al haPanim.

Avarnu et Paro, naavor gam et ze עברנו את פרעה נעבור גם את זה

Translated, this means: We overcame Pharaoh (in Egypt) and we will also go through this.

Its meaning: We have overcome enormous difficulties, and we will overcome this too.

For example: We haven’t been able to solve this problem for 5 hours now. Don't worry, Avarnu et Paro, naavor gam et ze.

Bi`shu`shu בשושו

Bi'shu'shu means to do something secret in secret from someone.

Example: He didn't tell us that he bought a new car. He always does things bi'shu'shu.

Beten woof בטן גב

Literary translation: belly back

This means: A time for rest and relaxation where you do nothing but roll over from one side to the other.

For example: I worked so hard today, I really need some beten woof.

Boker Tov Eliyahu בוקר טוב אליהו

Literary translation: Good morning Eliyahu!

This means: a reminder with irony. The equivalent in Russian is: good morning! Have you just woken up?

For example: Boker Tov Eliyahu! Where have you been? We agreed on 10, but now it’s 12!

Ahla אחלה

In Arabic - great

Example: אחלה מקום [ahla makom] is a great place.

There is even a brand of hummus in Israel called Ahla.

Elef Ahuz אלף אחוז

Translation:1 000 percent

Meaning: To be confident in something

Eix fixa or eix איכסה פיכסה

Literal translation: Nasty

For example: Eiksa, this shawarma is absolutely not tasty

Eise seret איזה סרט

Literary translation: What movie

Analogue in Russian: what a movie!

Meaning: an event that goes beyond ordinary life, usually with a negative context

For example: You won’t believe what we had to go through at customs control... Eise is sad!

This phrase is also used in its literal translation. For example, if you saw a good movie, you would say “Eise seret!”

Face

In English it means face, but in Hebrew it is simply short for Facebook.

For example: I changed my avatar to Face.

Fadiha פדיחה

Arabic word meaning disorder or miss.

For example: Eise fadiha! I fell asleep at work all day.

Gihatsta et ha-Kartis Eshray גיהצת את הכרטיס אשראי

Literary translation: You swiped your credit card

Meaning: You spent a lot of money on your credit card in a short period of time.

For example: You bought a lot today - Gihatsta et a-Kartis Eshray!

ha-Dod meAmerica הדוד מאמריקה

Translation: Uncle from America

Meaning: A rich relative or even a friend from the USA who showers his poor relatives from Israel with gifts.

For example: I would like to have (a-Dod meAmerica) an uncle from America who will send me the latest iPhone model!

Hawal al-Zman חבל על הזמן

Literary translation: It's a pity for the time!

It can be a positive reaction - that's great! It can also be in a negative context – it’s a waste of time!

Positive example: A wonderful film - hawal al-a-Zman

Negative example: The film was so boring - hawal al a-Zman

This expression is also used by teenagers. The first 3 letters of each word are used as the abbreviation "Khav'laz"

For example: She bought a cool dress - Hav`laz!

Janana ג’ננה

The word is of Arabic origin, meaning burdens, irritates

For example: Ata ma'vi li et haJanana! - You annoy me!

Kama kama? כמה כמה

Literary translation: how much, how much?

Meaning: What's the score?

For example: Maccabi played basketball against Hapoel (Israeli teams), you want to know the score from your friend and ask: Kama, kama?

Kef Retzach כף רצח

Literal translation: Kef – slang for “high”, retzah – murder

Meaning: Best or to die for

For example: His bar mitzvah party was kef retzach.

Ko ko קוקו

Ko ko is not what the cockerel says, but the hairstyle - a ponytail or an elastic band with which it is made

For example: Mom, I’m going to the gym today, please do something for me

Ma HaMatzav מה המצב

Exact translation: how are you, what is the situation?

For example: Hey brother, ma ha-matzav?

Magniv מגניב

Means: Cool!

For example: You are all invited to my party. - Magniv!

Ma ani, ez? ?מה אני, עז

Literary translation: what am I, a goat?

Represents protest against unequal treatment or being ignored

For example: After Artem noticed that all the children except him were given candy, he says to his mother: “Ma ani, ez?”

Yarad Ha'Asimon ירד האסימון

Literary translation: The token fell

Meaning: I got it.

For example: I get the joke, Yarad ha-Asimon!

Of mehubas עוף מכובס

Translated: washed chicken

Meaning: Boiled chicken or a constantly recurring situation

For example: If we go to your parents' place this weekend, we'll have to choke on the old of mehubas again, but if we go to mine...

Another example: We've talked about this so many times, it's like a mehubas

Ototo אותותו

General saying means: one second, very soon

For example: I need to go. I have an appointment ototo

Another example: She is 9 months pregnant and will give birth later.

Paam shlishit, glida! פעם שלישית, גלידה

Literary translation: Third time, ice cream!

A close meaning of this phrase is third time lucky. They say when you meet someone many times in a short period of time.

For example: We are meeting for the second time today, paam shlishit, glida!

Sebaba סבבה

Meaning: good, wonderful

For example: How are you? - Sebaba, thank you!

Strudel

As we all know, the meaning of this word is a sweet cake with apples.

In Israel this is what they call a “dog” - @

For example: E-mail address of the site admin strudel israelrus dot ru.

Sof ha-Derech

Translated: End of the road

Meaning: Excellent

For example: We had lunch at the new sushi bar, the food was just sof ha-derech!

Sof HaOlam resin סוף העולם שמאלה

Translation: End of the world to the left

Meaning: The middle of nowhere, an isolated place in the middle of nowhere.

For example: You won't even find it on the map. They live 30 km south of Dimona. This is sof ha-olam resin!

Sponge

Literal translation: sponge, wash with a sponge

This is how in Israel they call a mop with a hard sponge at the end, which is used here to remove spilled water after a shower.

Taim Retzach טעים רצח

Literal translation: Taim means tasty, and retzakh means murder.

Meaning: So delicious it's to die for!

Example: My mother cooks such a casserole that we melt our lips!

Yalla וואלה

Yalla is Hebrew slang that can have different meanings and interpretations. Depending on pronunciation and context, this can mean: true, hmm..., clear or ok

For example: A new Harry Potter book has just been released. Satisfied Potter fans respond: Yalla!

Ze ze זה זה

Translated: This is this.

Meaning: This is it, meaning to be.

For example: We love each other. Ze ze.

You can also say: This is the perfect dress for my sister's wedding. Ze ze!

Write in the comments what common expressions you come across in Israel.

A series of articles with colloquial phrases in different languages ​​is gradually expanding. For now, I am writing about those that I myself am actively studying: English, Italian, Swedish, French. Today it’s the turn of basic Hebrew expressions.

Greeting someone in Hebrew is very easy. At any time of the day, regardless of who you are talking to, the phrase שלום (shalom). The word "hello" is also used - הַיי (hai).

Word טוב (tov) in Hebrew means "good", "good" and is used in greetings at various times of the day. For example, good morning - בוקר טוב (boker tov), ​​good evening - ערב טוב (erev tov). Good night wishes - לילה טוב (layla tov).

You can ask how a person is doing with the phrase מה שלומך (mah shlomkha? - if you are addressing a man / mah shlomekh? - if you are addressing a woman). In response you can say הכל בסדר (ha kol beseder) - Okay, thank you. ואתה (ve atah) - How are you?

To find out if there is any news, ask a question מה חדש (mah khadash). There is also a phrase - an analogue of the English What "s up? - What's new? What do you hear? In Hebrew - מה נשמע (ma nishma), which is pronounced after a greeting and does not imply a response.

To get acquainted, a set of the following phrases will be useful:

קוראים לי (Kor-im li.) - My name is...
שמי (shmi) - My name...
איך קוראים לך (eikh kor-im lekha - if you are addressing a man / eikh kor-im lakh - a question to a woman) - What is your name?
נעים מאוד (naim meod). - Nice to meet you.
איפה אתה גר (eifo atah gar? - question to the man) - Where do you live?
איפה את גרה (eifo at garah? - question to a woman) - Where do you live?
אני מ (ani me) - I'm from...
איפה (eifo) - Where is...?
כן (ken) - yes
לא (lo) - no

To thank a person or respond to gratitude, learn the following phrases:

תודה (todah) - Thank you.
תודה על העזרה (todah al ezrah) - Thank you for your help.
תודה רבה (toda rabah) - Thank you very much.

In response to "thank you" it is customary to respond בבקשה (bevakasha). The same phrase is suitable as an equivalent to the words “here”, “please” when transferring something, for example, a gift or money for payment for goods.

To apologize, if necessary, say סליחה (slikha). A stronger apology - אני מצטער (ani mitstaer) if the speaker is a man, and also - אני מצטערת (ani mitstaeret) if a woman speaks. You can answer like this: אין דבר (ein davar) or לא נורא (lo nora). That is, “it’s okay,” “it happens,” “it happens.”

In Hebrew, verbs are conjugated by persons and numbers, just like in Russian. Therefore, the phrase sounds different depending on who is speaking and who is being addressed.

Here are some examples:

לא הבנתי (lo hevanti) - I didn’t understand.
אני לא מבין (ani lo mevin) - I don’t understand (m.rod).
אני לא מבינה (ani lo mevina) - I don’t understand (feminine gender).
אני לא יודע (ani lo yodeah) - I don’t know (m.rod)
אני לא יודעת (ani lo yodaat) - I don’t know (female gender)
אתה מדבר רוסית (atah medaber rusit) - Do you speak Russian? (if addressing a man)
את מדברת רוסית (at medaberet rusit) - Do you speak Russian? (if addressing a woman)
אתה יכול לדבר לאט (atah yakhol ledaber leat) - Can you speak more slowly? (if addressing a man)
את יכולה לדבר לאט (at yakholah ledaber leat) - Can you speak more slowly? (if addressing a woman)

You can say goodbye in English - ביי (bai.) or phrase - להתראות (le hitra"ot).

If you are interested in learning Hebrew from scratch, register on the Hebrew Pod website. There you will find a huge number of ready-made lessons from simple to complex, cultural notes and exercises for practicing the phrases you have learned. Each lesson includes an audio dialogue, its text and a list of words with examples in a pdf file. With a premium subscription, you will study regularly for several months, receiving feedback from the teacher.

In what languages ​​can you carry out a simple conversation?

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To fully successfully integrate into Israel, you need to know Hebrew. Understanding Hebrew slang is extremely important if you are trying to learn the culture of the country you are in

We've selected 33 of the best Hebrew slang words and expressions to help you communicate with the locals. They will definitely make you smile!

Ahlaאחלה

In Arabic - great

Example: אחלה מקום [ahla makom] is a great place.

There is even a brand of hummus in Israel called Ahla.

Al HaPanim על הפנים

Literary translation "On the face"

In slang it means: terrible

Example: When I get the flu, I feel like al haPanim.

Avarnu et Paro, na'avor gam et zeעברנו את פרעה נעבור גם את זה

Translated, this means: We overcame Pharaoh (in Egypt) and we will also go through this.

Its meaning: We have overcome enormous difficulties, and we will overcome this too.

For example: We haven’t been able to solve this problem for 5 hours now. Don't worry, Avarnu et Paro, naavor gam et ze.

Bi` shu` shuבשושו

Bi'shu'shu means to do something secret in secret from someone.

Example: He didn't tell us that he bought a new car. He always does things bi'shu'shu.

Beten woof בטן גב

Literary translation: belly back

This means: A time for rest and relaxation where you do nothing but roll over from one side to the other.

For example: I worked so hard today, I really need some beten woof.

Boker Tov Eliyahuבוקר טוב אליהו

Literary translation: Good morning Eliyahu!

This means: a reminder with irony. The equivalent in Russian is: good morning! Have you just woken up?

For example: Boker Tov Eliyahu! Where have you been? We agreed on 10, but now it’s 12!

Elef Ahuzאלף אחוז

Translation:1 000 percent

Meaning: To be confident in something

Ihsa Pihsa or Ihsaאיכסה פיכסה

Literal translation: Nasty

For example: Ihsa, this shawarma is absolutely not tasty

Eise seretאיזה סרט

Literary translation: What movie

Analogue in Russian: what a movie!

Meaning: an event that goes beyond ordinary life, usually with a negative context

For example: You won’t believe what we had to go through at customs control... Eise is sad!

This phrase is also used in its literal translation. For example, if you saw a good movie, you would say “Eise seret!”

Faceפייס

In English it means face, but in Hebrew it is simply short for Facebook.

For example: I changed my avatar to Face.

Fadiha פדיחה

Arabic word meaning disorder or miss.

For example: Eise fadiha! I fell asleep at work all day.

Gihatzta et Kartis haAshrayגיהצת את כרטיס האשר אי

Literary translation: You swiped your credit card

Meaning: You spent a lot of money on your credit card in a short period of time.

For example: You bought a lot today - Gihatsta et haKartis Ashray!

haDod meAmericaהדוד מאמריקה

Translation: Uncle from America

Meaning: A rich relative or even a friend from the USA who showers his poor relatives from Israel with gifts.

For example: I would like to have (haDod meAmerica) an uncle from America who will send me the latest model of iPhone!

Hawal al HaZmanחבל על הזמן

Literary translation: It's a pity for the time!

It can be a positive reaction - that's great! It can also be in a negative context – it’s a waste of time!

Positive example: A wonderful film – hawal al haZman

Negative example: The movie was so boring - hawal al haZman

This expression is also used by teenagers. The first 3 letters of each word are used as the abbreviation "Khav'laz"

For example: She bought a cool dress - Hav'laz!

Jananaג’ננה

The word is of Arabic origin, meaning burdens, irritates

For example: Ata ma'vi li et haJanana! - You annoy me!

Kama kama? כמה כמה

Literary translation: how much, how much?

Meaning: What's the score?

For example: Maccabi played basketball against Hapoel (Israeli teams), you want to know the score from your friend and ask: Kama, kama?

Keif Retzach כיף רצח

Literal translation: Keif – slang for “high”, retsakh – murder

Meaning: Best or to die for

For example: His bar mitzvah party was kef retzach.

Ku ku קוקו

Ku ku is not the way the cockerel says it, but the hairstyle - a ponytail (high) tail or an elastic band with which it is made

For example: Mom, I’m going to the gym today, please give me a cup of tea

Ma HaMatzav מה המצב

Exact translation: how are you, what is the situation?

For example: Hey brother, ma hamatsav?

Magniv מגניב

Means: Cool!

For example: You are all invited to my party. - Magniv!

Ma ani, ez? ?מה אני, עז

Literary translation: what am I, a goat?

Represents protest against unequal treatment or being ignored

For example: After Artem noticed that all the children except him were given candy, he says to his mother: “Ma ani, ez?”

Nafal li Asimon נפל לי אסימון

Literary translation: My badge fell

Meaning: It finally dawned on me.

For example: Now I know why he did this, nafal li haasimon!

Of mehubas עוף מכובס

Translation: washed chicken

Meaning: Boiled chicken or a constantly recurring situation

For example: If we go to your parents' place this weekend, we'll have to choke on the old of mehubas again, but if we go to mine...

Another example: We've talked about this so many times, it's like a mehubas

Ototo אותותו

General saying means: one second, very soon

For example: I need to go. I have an appointment ototo

Another example: She is 9 months pregnant and will give birth later.

Paam shlishit, glida! פעם שלישית, גלידה

Literary translation: Third time, ice cream!

A close meaning of this phrase is third time lucky. They say when you meet someone many times in a short period of time.

For example: We are meeting for the second time today, paam shlishit, glida!

Sababa סבבה

Meaning: good, wonderful

For example: How are you? - Sababa, thank you!

Strudel

As we all know, the meaning of this word is a sweet cake with apples.

In Israel this is what they call a “dog” - @

For example: E-mail address of the site admin strudel israelrus dot ru.

Sof haDerech

Translated: End of the road

Meaning: Excellent

For example: We had lunch at the new sushi bar, the food was simply sof hadereh!

Sof haOlam resin סוף העולם שמאלה

Translation: End of the world to the left

Meaning: The middle of nowhere, an isolated place in the middle of nowhere.

For example: You won't even find it on the map. They live 30 km south of Dimona. This is sof haolam resin!

Sponge

Literal translation: sponge, wash with a sponge

This is how in Israel they call a mop with a hard sponge at the end, which is used here to remove spilled water after a shower.

Taim Retzach טעים רצח

Literal translation: Taim means tasty, and retzakh means murder.

Meaning: So delicious it's to die for!

Example: My mother makes a casserole that melts the edges!

Bilhah וואלה

Vallah is Hebrew slang that can have different meanings and interpretations. Depending on pronunciation and context, this can mean: true, hmm..., clear or ok

For example: A new Harry Potter book has just been released. Satisfied Potter fans respond: Valla!

Ze ze זה זה

Translated: This is this.

Meaning: This is it, meaning to be.

For example: We love each other. Ze ze.

You can also say: This is the perfect dress for my sister's wedding. Ze ze!

Like any other language, there are many different ways to greet each other in Hebrew. And just like most other languages, greetings in Hebrew go back a very long time. They reflect the history of cultural contacts of the people, their psychological type and characteristics of thinking.

Speaking about Jewish greetings, we must not forget about borrowings (direct or indirect) from “Jewish languages ​​of the Diaspora,” for example, Yiddish.

Features of secular and religious speech etiquette

Modern Hebrew is the language of everyday communication in Israel, and it reflects the peculiarities of today's life in the country. Therefore, we can say that there are two linguistic structures in Israel. One of them is more consistent with the secular population of Israel, and the second with the traditional, religious population.

Hebrew greetings illustrate this division. Of course, one cannot say that these “sets do not intersect at all.” However, secular and religious types of speech etiquette differ from each other.

Some expressions characteristic of the speech of religious people are included in secular speech etiquette. Sometimes they are used deliberately to give the statement an ironic tone with a “taste” of archaism – “antique”. As if, for example, in Russian speech, you turned to a friend: “Be healthy, boyar!” or greeted their guests: “Welcome, dear guests!” at a friendly party.

The difference between greetings in Russian and Hebrew

In Russian, when meeting, people usually wish them health by saying “Hello!” (that is, literally: “Be healthy!” But when you hear a wish for health in Hebrew - לבריות le-vriYut – your Israeli interlocutor will most likely say in surprise: “I didn’t sneeze” or “I guess we didn’t raise our glasses.” Wishing health as a greeting is not customary in Hebrew.

Expression

תהיה בריא

quiet bars, which can be translated as “Hello!”, will be, rather, an informal form of farewell - “Be healthy!” (as in Russian).

Common greetings in Hebrew

The basic Jewish greeting is שלום shalom ( literally , "world"). People used this word to greet each other back in Biblical times. Interestingly, in Jewish tradition it also sometimes replaces the name of God. Meaning of the word shalom in the language it is much broader than just “the absence of war”, and in the greeting it is not just a wish for “peaceful skies above your head”.

Word שלום shalom– cognate with adjective שלם shawl- “whole, filled.” Greetings " shalom“means, therefore, not only a wish for peace, but also for inner integrity and harmony with oneself.

“Shalom” can be said both when meeting and when parting.

Expressions שלום לך Shalom LechA(with or without addressing a person by name) (“peace be upon you”) and לום אליכם shalom aleikhem(MM) (“peace be upon you”) refer to a higher style. It is customary to answer the latter ואליכם שלום ve-aleikhem shalom. This is a literal translation (tracing) from Arabic Hello. This answer also suggests high style, and in some cases, a certain amount of irony. You can answer more simply, without a conjunction ve,אליכם שלום AleikhEm shalom.

In a conversation with a religious person in response to a greeting שלום can often be heard שלום וברכה shalom at vrakha- “peace and blessings.” Or he may continue your greeting שלום shalom in words - וברכה u-vrahA. This is also acceptable in small talk, although it is too elegant.

In the mornings in Israel, people exchange greetings טוב בוקר boker tov! ("Good morning!"). Sometimes in response to this you can hear: בוקר אור boker or ("bright morning") or בוקר מצויין boxer metsuYan. ("great morning"). But they rarely say that.

As for the Russian expression “Good afternoon!”, then when translated literally into Hebrew - יום טוב yom tov, it will turn out more like congratulations on the holiday (although more often in this case a different expression is used). The interlocutor may be surprised.

Instead they say צהוריים טובים TzohorAim ToVim(literally, “Good afternoon!”). But when we say goodbye, it’s quite possible to say יום טוב לך yom tov lecha. Here – precisely in the meaning of “Have a nice day!”

Expressions ערב טוב Erev tov“good evening” and לילה טוב Layla tov“Good night” in Hebrew is no different in usage from Russian. It is perhaps worth paying attention to the fact that the word “night” in Hebrew is masculine, therefore the adjective טוב “good, kind” will also be masculine.

Greetings from other languages

In addition to greetings that have Hebrew roots, greetings from other languages ​​can often be heard in Israel.

At the beginning of the new era, the spoken language of Ancient Judea was not Hebrew, but Aramaic. Nowadays it is perceived as high style, the language of the Talmud, and is sometimes used to give words a touch of irony.

In modern colloquial Hebrew the expression צפרא טבא numeral tab- “good morning” in Aramaic. Sometimes it can be heard in response to the usual טוב בוקר boker tov.

In this case, your interlocutor will turn out to be either a religious person of advanced age, or someone who wants to demonstrate his education and give the morning greeting a touch of light irony.

You can, for example, compare this with the situation when, in response to a neutral “Good morning!” you will hear “Greetings!”

Young Israelis often use the English word “hai!” when meeting and saying goodbye. Perhaps it caught on because it sounds similar to the Hebrew word for “life” (remember the popular toast לחיים le-chaim- "for a life").

In spoken Hebrew you can also find greetings from Arabic: ahalan or, less commonly, marhaba(the second is more often pronounced with a joking tone).

Greetings and wishes on Shabbat and holidays

In most languages, greetings depend on the time of day, and in Jewish culture, also on the days of the week.

On Shabbat and holidays, special greetings are used in Hebrew.

On Friday evening and Saturday it is customary to greet each other with the words שבת שלום Shabbat Shalom. Saturday evening, after מו צאי שבת MotzaHey Shabbat(“the outcome of the Sabbath”) you can often hear the wish שבוע טוב ShavUa tov (“good week”). This applies to both religious and secular circles

Among older people or repatriates, instead of Shabbat shalom, you can hear greetings in Yiddish: gut Shabes(“good Saturday”), and at the end of Saturday - and gute wow(“good week”)

Just as in the case of Aramaic, the use of Yiddish in Israel in greetings has an informal, slightly humorous connotation.

Before the beginning of a new month (according to the Jewish calendar) and on its first day, the greeting is חודש טוב Khodesh tov - “Good month.”

"Holiday" in Hebrew is called חג hag, מועד mOed or טוב יום yom tov. However, to greet a holiday, only one of these words is most often used - חג שמח hag samEah! - “Happy holiday!” During the Jewish New Year, people wish each other “Have a good year!” – שנה טובה SHANA TOVA! The word shana (“year”) in Hebrew is feminine, and the adjective tovA will also be feminine.

Greetings in the form of questions

After greeting each other, wishing good morning or evening, people often ask: “How are you?” or “How are you?”

In Hebrew the expressions מה שלומך? ma shlomkha?(M) ( mA shlomEh? (F)) are similar to the Russian “How are you?” By the way, they are written the same way, and you can read them correctly only based on the context.

Literally, these phrases would mean something like: “How is your world doing?” We can say that each person has his own world, his own inner “shalom”. Naturally, in ordinary speech this expression is not taken literally, but serves as a neutral greeting formula.

In rare cases, you may be addressed in the third person: שלומו של כבודו? מה Ma shlomo shel kvodo?(or - ma shlom kvodO?) - “How are you doing, respected?” This will mean either irony, or high style and emphasized respect (as in the Polish language the address “pan”).

In addition, such a refined address can be used in youth speech and slang as a reference to comedic dialogues from the “cult” Israeli film “ Hagiga ba-snooker" - "Billiards party."

One of the most common and style-neutral greetings in Hebrew is נשמה? מה ma nishma? (literally, “What do you hear?”).

The expressions מה קורה are used in a similar sense. Ma kore? – (literally, “What’s going on?”) and מה העניינים ma HainyangIm? ("How are you?"). Both of them are used in informal settings, in colloquial speech, in friendly conversation.

Even more simply, in the “that’s what they say on the street” style, it sounds אתך מה ma itkhA? (M) or (ma itAkh? (F) (literally, “What’s wrong with you?”). However, unlike Russian, this jargon does not correspond to the question: “What’s wrong with you?”, but simply means : “How are you?” However, in a certain situation it can actually be asked if the state of the interlocutor causes concern.

It is customary to answer all these polite questions in a secular environment בסדר הכל תודה TodA, Akol be-sEder or simply בסדר be-seder(literally, “thank you, everything is fine.” In religious circles, the generally accepted answer is השם ברוך barUh ours(“Glory be to God,” literally, “Blessed be the Lord”). This expression is often used in everyday communication of secular people, without giving the speech any special connotation.

Greeting the New Arrivals

Greetings can also include addressing “new arrivals.”

When people come or arrive somewhere, they are addressed with the words “Welcome!” In Russian, this phrase is usually used in formal speech.

Hebrew expressions הבא ברוך barUh habA(M), ברוכה הבאה bruhA habaA(F) or ברוכים הבאים BruhIm habaIm(MM and LJ) (literally, “blessed is the one who has arrived (the ones who have arrived)”) are found in ordinary colloquial speech. This is how you can greet your guests, for example.

In general, in Hebrew, as in any other language, greetings are closely related to cultural and religious traditions. Differences in their use depend on the general style of the communication situation, as well as on the level of education and age of the speakers.