Greetings

1. שָׁלוֹם

   Shalom

   Hello / Peace

   Usage

   The most common greeting usable at any time. Also used as a farewell.

   Grammar Note

   "Shalom" is one of the most important Hebrew words, serving as hello, goodbye, and peace. It shares the root sh-l-m with Arabic "salaam."

2. בֹּקֶר טוֹב

   Boker tov

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting. The response is "boker or" (morning of light).

   Grammar Note

   In Hebrew, adjectives follow nouns. "Boker tov" is a noun phrase "good morning" used directly as a greeting.

3. עֶרֶב טוֹב

   Erev tov

   Good evening

   Usage

   Evening greeting used from dusk onwards.

   Grammar Note

   "Erev" marks the start of a Jewish day at nightfall. The Sabbath "Shabbat" begins on "Erev Shabbat" (Friday evening).

4. מַה שְׁלוֹמְךָ?

   Ma shlom'kha?

   How are you? (to a male)

   Usage

   Said to a male. For a female say "ma shlomekh?" with a different suffix.

   Grammar Note

   Hebrew possessives are expressed through suffixes. Male "shlomkha", female "shlomekh", plural "shlomkhem."

5. בְּסֵדֶר, תּוֹדָה

   Beseder, toda

   Fine, thank you

   Usage

   Standard response to "How are you?" "Beseder" is a very versatile Israeli expression meaning OK/fine.

   Grammar Note

   "Beseder" literally means "in order" but functions like "OK" — a versatile confirmation or positive reply.

6. תּוֹדָה רַבָּה

   Toda raba

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   A more emphatic and polite expression of thanks than "toda" alone.

   Grammar Note

   "Toda" is a feminine noun, so the adjective "raba" takes the feminine form. The root y-d-h means to praise or confess.

7. עַל לֹא דָּבָר

   Al lo davar

   You're welcome

   Usage

   Response to "toda". "Bevakasha" is another common reply meaning you're welcome.

   Grammar Note

   Literally "about nothing." Close to "don't mention it." "Bevakasha" doubles as "you're welcome" and "please."

8. סְלִיחָה

   Slikha

   Excuse me / Sorry

   Usage

   Used both to get someone's attention ("excuse me") and as a light apology ("sorry").

   Grammar Note

   "Slikha" is also an important liturgical word used in Yom Kippur prayers. In daily speech it functions casually as "excuse me."

9. לְהִתְרָאוֹת

   Lehitraot

   Goodbye / See you

   Usage

   Farewell greeting, slightly more casual than "shalom" as a goodbye.

   Grammar Note

   "Lehitraot" is the infinitive of the hitpael (reflexive/reciprocal) form of "ra'ah" (to see): literally "to see each other."

10. בְּרוּכִים הַבָּאִים

    Brukhim habaim

    Welcome

    Usage

    Used by a host to welcome guests. Also seen at tourist sites and shops.

    Grammar Note

    Literally "blessed are those who come." Hebrew has no single word for "welcome," so this phrase fills that role.

11. איפה השירותים?

    Eifo hasherutim?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Essential phrase for asking where the restroom is in any public setting

    Grammar Note

    "Sherutim" is the plural of "sherut" (service), used to mean "restroom" — similar to English "facilities." The definite article "ha-" is attached to the noun.

12. אני לא מדבר עברית

    Ani lo medaber ivrit

    I can't speak Hebrew

    Usage

    Inform someone you cannot speak Hebrew. Use when facing a language barrier

    Grammar Note

    Hebrew present-tense verbs agree in gender and number. For a female speaker: "medaberet." "Lo" (not) precedes the verb to form negation.

13. אני אחזור שוב

    ani ekhzor shuv

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

14. היה לי כיף גדול

    haya li keif gadol

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Used when saying goodbye

15. תודה, נתראה!

    toda, nitra'e!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

16. לילה טוב

    laila tov

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to bed, e.g. at a guesthouse or homestay

17. אני יוצא

    ani yotse

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Casual phrase said when leaving the house; female speakers say "ani yotset"

18. חזרתי

    khazarti

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to the house/guesthouse

19. סליחה, אני צריך ללכת

    slikha, ani tsarikh lalekhet

    Excuse me, I need to get going

    Usage

    Polite way to excuse yourself when leaving before others; female speakers say "tsrikha"

20. בבקשה

    bevakasha

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Standard response to "toda" (thank you); also doubles as "please/here you go"

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