Café & Drinks

1. אני רוצה קפה, בבקשה

   ani rotse kafe, bevakasha

   I would like a coffee, please

   Usage

   The most basic phrase for ordering coffee at a cafe

   Grammar Note

   "Bevakashah" is the most-used polite word in Hebrew, meaning both "please" and "here you go." Tel Aviv has a thriving cafe culture with excellent coffee

2. מים קרים, בבקשה

   mayim karim, bevakasha

   Cold water, please

   Usage

   Used at restaurants or cafes to ask for cold water

   Grammar Note

   "Mayim" (water) is a plurale tantum in Hebrew — it only exists in plural form. Adjectives agree: "karim" (cold plural). Israel's tap water is safe to drink

3. בירה, בבקשה

   bira, bevakasha

   A beer, please

   Usage

   Used at bars or restaurants to order a beer

   Grammar Note

   "Bira" is feminine. "Bira kara" (cold beer) is the common order. The toasting word is "le-hayim" (to life!) — one of the most famous Hebrew expressions

4. יש מיץ תפוזים?

   yesh mits tapuzim?

   Is there orange juice?

   Usage

   Used to ask whether orange juice is available

   Grammar Note

   "Mits + fruit" = juice type. "Tapuz" (orange) plural = "tapuzim." Israel is famous for Jaffa oranges. Freshly squeezed orange juice is common and excellent

5. חצי ליטר מים, בבקשה

   khatsi liter mayim, bevakasha

   Half a liter of water, please

   Usage

   Used to order a specific size of bottled water

   Grammar Note

   "Hatsi liter" = half liter. "Bakbuk" = bottle. Staying hydrated is essential in Israel's Mediterranean/desert climate, especially in summer

6. תה עם נענע, בבקשה

   te im naana, bevakasha

   Mint tea, please

   Usage

   Used to order mint tea, a popular beverage in Israel especially in Arab-influenced cafes

   Grammar Note

   "Im" = "with" (preposition). Apply to: "te im limon" (tea with lemon). In Arab-Israeli and Bedouin culture, mint tea is a symbol of hospitality

7. בלי סוכר, בבקשה

   beli sukar, bevakasha

   Without sugar, please

   Usage

   Used to order a drink without sugar

   Grammar Note

   "Bli" = "without." Versatile: "bli halav" (no milk), "bli kerah" (no ice). Opposite: "im" (with). "Ktsat sukar" = a little sugar

8. יין אדום, בבקשה

   yayin adom, bevakasha

   Red wine, please

   Usage

   Used at restaurants or bars to order red wine

   Grammar Note

   "Yayin" is Biblical Hebrew for wine. "Yayin lavan" (white wine), "yayin roze" (rosé). Israel has a growing wine industry in Golan Heights, Galilee, and Judean Hills

9. חשבון, בבקשה

   kheshbon, bevakasha

   The bill, please

   Usage

   Used at cafes or restaurants to ask for the check

   Grammar Note

   "Heshbon" is polysemous: "bill," "account," "calculation." Root "h-sh-b" = to think/calculate. "Leshalem" = to pay. Tipping (10-15%) is customary in Israel

10. לחיים!

    lekhayim!

    Cheers! (To life!)

    Usage

    The iconic Hebrew toast, used when clinking glasses

    Grammar Note

    "Le-hayim" = "to life" — one of Hebrew's most iconic expressions. "Hayim" (life) is plurale tantum. A universal expression of Jewish values that has entered world culture

11. מים מינרלים

    mayim mineralim

    Mineral water

    Usage

    Specifies bottled water; tap water is "mayim me-ha-berez"

12. מים חמים

    mayim khamim

    Hot water

    Usage

    For asking for hot water; lukewarm water is "mayim poshrim"

    Grammar Note

    "Mayim" (water) is grammatically plural, so the adjective takes the plural form "khamim"

13. בלי קרח

    bli kerakh

    No ice

    Usage

    Have ice left out of a drink — also the phrase to use if you are unsure about the water it was made from

14. קרח

    kerakh

    Ice

    Usage

    Ask for ice in a drink — or for ice to put on a burn or a bruise

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