Flirting

1. אַתָּה/אַתְּ יָפֶה/יָפָה מְאֹד

   Ata/At yafe/yafa meod

   You are very beautiful

   Usage

   To a male: "ata yafe meod." To a female: "at yafa meod." Gender affects both pronoun and adjective.

   Grammar Note

   "Yafe" is masculine, "yafa" is feminine. Hebrew adjectives agree in gender with the noun or person described.

2. אֶפְשָׁר לְהִפָּגֵשׁ מָחָר?

   Efshar lehipagesh makhar?

   Can we meet tomorrow?

   Usage

   A subtle way to ask someone out on a date.

   Grammar Note

   "Lehipagesh" is the nifal (reflexive) form of "pagash" (to meet). Nifal often expresses a reciprocal action.

3. אַתָּה/אַתְּ מַצְחִיק/מַצְחִיקָה

   Ata/At matskhik/matskhika

   You are funny

   Usage

   A compliment about someone's humor. "Matskhik" (m) or "matskhika" (f) depending on the person.

   Grammar Note

   Root ts-kh-k means to laugh. Related: "tskhok" (laughter) and "Yitzhak/Isaac" (he laughed — named for Sarah's laughter).

4. יֵשׁ לְךָ/לָךְ עֵינַיִם יָפוֹת

   Yesh lekha/lakh einayim yafot

   You have beautiful eyes

   Usage

   To a male: "yesh lekha einayim yafot." To a female: "yesh lakh einayim yafot." Differentiated by pronunciation.

   Grammar Note

   "Einayim" (eyes) is dual and treated as plural. Since "ayin" (eye) is feminine, the adjective "yafot" takes the feminine plural form.

5. אֲנִי מִתְאַהֵב/מִתְאַהֶבֶת בְּךָ/בָּךְ

   Ani mitahev/mitahevet bekha/bakh

   I am falling in love with you

   Usage

   Speaker male: "mitahev." Speaker female: "mitahebet." To a male: "bekha," to a female: "bakh."

   Grammar Note

   "Mitahev" is the hitpael (reflexive) form, expressing the process of "entering into love." From root '-h-b, same as "ahava" (love).

6. אֲנִי אוֹהֵב/אוֹהֶבֶת אוֹתְךָ/אוֹתָךְ

   Ani ohev/ohevet otkha/otakh

   I love you

   Usage

   Speaker male: "ohev." Speaker female: "ohevet." Object male: "otkha," female: "otakh."

   Grammar Note

   "Ahava" (love) is one of Hebrew's most important words. Root '-h-b also gives "ahov" (beloved) and "ohav" (lover/one who loves).

7. אֶפְשָׁר לָשֶׁבֶת כַּאן?

   Efshar lashevet kan?

   May I sit here?

   Usage

   A subtle opening move to sit near someone at a bar or cafe.

   Grammar Note

   Root y-sh-b of "lashevet" means to sit/dwell. Related: "yishuv" (settlement) and "yeshiva" (Jewish seminary, literally "sitting").

8. אֶפְשָׁר לְקַבֵּל אֶת הַמִּסְפָּר שֶׁלְּךָ/שֶׁלָּךְ?

   Efshar lekabel et hamispar shelkha/shelakh?

   Can you give me your number?

   Usage

   To a male: "ha-mispar shelkha." To a female: "ha-mispar shelakh." Ask for a phone number.

   Grammar Note

   "Efshar + infinitive" is the standard polite way to ask ("may I / can I"), softer than the bare imperative "ten li." The root k-b-l of "lekabel" means to receive.

9. אֲנִי אֶלְבַּשׁ יָפֶה בִּשְׁבִילְךָ/בִּשְׁבִילֵךְ

   Ani elbash yafe bishvilkha/bishvilekh

   I'll dress up nicely for you

   Usage

   A romantic phrase to express effort before a date.

   Grammar Note

   Root l-b-sh of "lilbosh" means to wear/clothe. Related: "levush" (clothing) and "malbush" (garment).

10. הַשֶּׁקֶט שֶׁלְּךָ/שֶׁלָּךְ מָשַׁךְ אוֹתִי

    Hasheket shelkha/shellakh mashakh oti

    Your quietness attracted me

    Usage

    A romantic compliment for someone with a calm, reserved presence.

    Grammar Note

    Root m-sh-kh of "mashakh" means to pull/draw. Related: "maskoret" (salary, drawn pay) and "meshikha" (pulling; also attraction).

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