Basic Words

1. כן

   ken

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic yes. Often enough on its own to keep a transaction moving

2. לא

   lo

   No

   Usage

   The basic no. Pair it with a head shake to make refusal unmistakable

3. בבקשה

   bevakasha

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request, including when you order by pointing at something

4. תודה

   toda

   Thank you

   Usage

   For anything you receive or any help you get. The single most-used word of a trip

5. סליחה

   slikha

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get a stranger's or staff member's attention, or to squeeze past someone

6. אני מצטער

   ani mitstaer

   Sorry

   Usage

   An actual apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake, not for getting attention

   Grammar Note

   A female speaker says אני מצטערת (ani mitsta'eret); Hebrew verbs and adjectives agree with gender.

7. זה בסדר

   ze beseder

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both "no harm done" when someone apologises and a soft "no thanks" to an offer

8. אני לא מבין

   ani lo mevin

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said. It usually prompts the other person to rephrase

9. הבנתי

   hevanti

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms the explanation landed. Clearer than just nodding

10. סיימתי

    siyamti

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Signals a meal, payment or procedure is complete — also used to have plates cleared

11. תמתין בבקשה

    tamtin bevakasha

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork

12. רגע אחד

    rega ekhad

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A lighter, shorter hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo

13. מבוגר אחד בבקשה

    mevugar ekhad bevakasha

    One adult, please

    Usage

    For ticket desks and entrances where adult and child prices differ

14. אין לי הזמנה

    ein li hazmana

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. יש לי הזמנה

    yesh li hazmana

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up

16. תעזור לי בבקשה

    taazor li bevakasha

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or an emergency. It is fine to say this loudly

17. עוד פעם בבקשה

    od paam bevakasha

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed what was said — handy for prices and room numbers

18. תדבר לאט בבקשה

    tedaber leat bevakasha

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speed is the problem. Works well combined with "once more"

19. אני מדבר קצת

    ani medaber ktsat

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording

20. אתה מדבר אנגלית?

    ata medaber anglit?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when communication stalls. Usually works at hotels and airports

    Grammar Note

    To a woman: את מדברת אנגלית? (at medaberet anglit?).

21. זה

    ze

    This

    Usage

    Point at something in front of you; "ze, bevakasha" (this one, please) is the most useful form

    Grammar Note

    Masculine form; a feminine noun takes "zot", though in speech "ze" is used for anything you point at

22. ההוא

    hahu

    That one (over there)

    Usage

    For something out of reach. Hebrew makes only a two-way near/far distinction, so it covers both Japanese "sore" and "are"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; feminine "ha-hi". It normally follows the noun: "ha-kise ha-hu" (that chair)

23. כאן

    kan

    Here

    Usage

    Point at a spot; in a taxi, "atsor kan" means stop here

24. אני

    ani

    I / me

    Usage

    Refers to yourself; the form is the same for men and women

25. אתה

    ata

    You (to a man)

    Usage

    Points at the person you are addressing. To a woman you must use "at" — Hebrew has no gender-neutral "you"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine singular; feminine "at", plurals "atem" (masculine or mixed) and "aten" (all female)

26. ביחד

    beyakhad

    Together

    Usage

    Shows that you are together or want to go along; with a rising tone, "beyakhad?" asks "together?"

27. עכשיו

    akhshav

    Now / right now

    Usage

    Asks for something at this moment; for real urgency use "miyad" (immediately)

28. אדם אחד

    adam ekhad

    One person

    Usage

    States a headcount at a restaurant or on a tour; at a ticket window "mevugar ekhad" (one adult) is the better wording

29. שני אנשים

    shnei anashim

    Two people

    Usage

    States a headcount; in a restaurant you can also say "shulkhan lishnayim" (a table for two)

    Grammar Note

    Hebrew numerals agree in gender; "anashim" is masculine, so it takes the masculine "shnei"

30. שלושה אנשים

    shlosha anashim

    Three people

    Usage

    States a headcount of three

    Grammar Note

    "Shlosha" is the masculine numeral, agreeing with "anashim"; a feminine noun would take "shalosh"

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