Money & Exchange

1. כמה זה עולה?

   kama ze ole?

   How much does it cost?

   Usage

   The most basic phrase for asking the price of something

   Grammar Note

   Root "'a-l-h" (to ascend/be worth): "ole" = costs/goes up. Israel's currency is the "shekel" (₪). Israel is relatively expensive; price-checking is important

2. אפשר לשלם בכרטיס אשראי?

   efshar leshalem bekartis ashrai?

   Is it possible to pay by credit card?

   Usage

   Used to ask if credit card payment is accepted

   Grammar Note

   Root "sh-l-m" (complete/whole) underlies "leshalem" (to pay), "shalom" (peace), "shalem" (complete). Credit card (kartis ashrai) is widely accepted in Israel

3. איפה הכספומט?

   eifo hakaspomat?

   Where is the ATM?

   Usage

   Used to find an ATM for cash withdrawal

   Grammar Note

   "Kaspomat" = "kesef" (money) + "automat" (machine). A Hebrew coinage for ATM. "Kesef" (money/silver) from root "k-s-f" is a Biblical Hebrew word

4. אני צריך עודף

   ani tsarikh odef

   I need change

   Usage

   Used to ask for change when paying with a large bill

   Grammar Note

   "Odef" = change/surplus from root "'a-d-f" (to exceed). Israeli shekel subdivides into 100 agurot (like cents). "Agura" coins are commonly used in daily transactions

5. חשבונית, בבקשה

   kheshbonit, bevakasha

   A receipt, please

   Usage

   Used after a purchase to request a receipt

   Grammar Note

   "Heshbonit" = "heshbon" (bill) + feminine suffix "-it." "Kabala" (receipt) is simpler and also commonly used. Keep receipts for VAT refunds as a tourist

6. מה שער החליפין?

   ma shaar hakhalifin?

   What is the exchange rate?

   Usage

   Used at exchange offices to ask the current exchange rate

   Grammar Note

   "Sha'ar" = rate (here) and also means "gate" (different root). "Sha'ar halifin" = exchange rate. "Halfan kesafim" = money changer. Airports and city centers have them

7. יקר מדי

   yakar miday

   Too expensive

   Usage

   Used when a price feels too high

   Grammar Note

   "Yakar" means both "expensive" and "dear/precious" — multivalent. Opposite: "zol" (cheap). Israel is known for high cost of living; finding good value is appreciated

8. יש הנחה?

   yesh hanakha?

   Is there a discount?

   Usage

   Used to ask if any discount is available

   Grammar Note

   "Hanakha" from root "n-h-h" (to lead/put down = reduction). Ask specifically: "yesh hanakha le-tayarim?" (tourist discount?) or "le-studentim?" (student discount?)

9. אני רוצה להחזיר

   ani rotse lehakhzir

   I want to return this

   Usage

   Used to return a purchased item

   Grammar Note

   Root "h-z-r" (to return/come back) = "lehakhzir" (to return something). "Hakhzar kesafi" = refund. Keep your receipt ("kabala") for returns in Israel

10. כמה עולה הכל ביחד?

    kama ole hakol beyakhad?

    How much does everything come to together?

    Usage

    Used to ask the total for all items combined

    Grammar Note

    "Ha-kol" = everything (article + "kol"). "Be-yahad" = together/combined. "Sakh ha-kol" (sum of all) is the formal "total" seen on Israeli receipts

11. פיקדון

    Pikadon

    Deposit

    Usage

    A refundable deposit paid when checking into a hotel or renting equipment.

12. החזר כספי

    Hekhzer kaspi

    Refund

    Usage

    Use when asking to get money back.

13. ערבון

    Eravon

    Security deposit

    Usage

    A more formal term for a security deposit, e.g. for contracts.

14. תשלום מראש

    Tashlum merosh

    Prepayment

    Usage

    Use when referring to payment made in advance.

15. תשלום נוסף

    Tashlum nosaf

    Extra charge

    Usage

    Use when referring to an additional fee charged afterward.

16. דמי שירות

    Dmei sherut

    Service fee

    Usage

    Use when referring to a fee charged for a procedure or service.

17. מזומן

    Mezuman

    Cash

    Usage

    Says you will pay in cash; Israeli law caps large cash transactions, so a shop may insist on a card

18. כרטיס אשראי

    Kartis ashrai

    Credit card

    Usage

    Says you want to pay by card; accepted almost everywhere in Israel, though market stalls may be cash only

19. חשבון נפרד

    Kheshbon nifrad

    Separate bills

    Usage

    Ask to be billed individually — a routine request in Israeli restaurants

20. חשבון אחד

    Kheshbon ekhad

    One bill (all together)

    Usage

    Ask for the whole table to be put on a single bill

21. עודף

    Odef

    Change (money back)

    Usage

    Ask for your change; "bli odef" means keep the change

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