Shopping

1. כַּמָּה זֶה עוֹלֶה?

   Kama ze ole?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   The essential shopping phrase, usable in markets (shuk) and stores alike.

   Grammar Note

   Root '-l-h of "ole" means to rise, extended to mean "it costs" (the price rises to that amount).

2. אֶפְשָׁר לְהוֹרִיד קְצָת בַּמְּחִיר?

   Efshar lehorid ktsat bamekhir?

   Can you lower the price a bit?

   Usage

   Used for price negotiation at markets like Mahane Yehuda. Effective for bargaining at tourist spots.

   Grammar Note

   "Efshar" is a modal particle used with infinitives. It is highly versatile: "efshar ledaber?" = "Can we talk?"

3. אֲנִי רַק מִסְתַּכֵּל

   Ani rak mistakel

   I'm just looking (male)

   Usage

   For a male speaker. Female: "ani rak mistakelet." Used when a salesperson approaches.

   Grammar Note

   "Mistakel" is the hitpael (reflexive) form of "to look." Feminine: "mistakelet." The hitpael often implies action for oneself.

4. יֵשׁ לָכֶם מִדָּה גְּדוֹלָה יוֹתֵר?

   Yesh lakhem mida gdola yoter?

   Do you have a larger size?

   Usage

   "Yesh lakhem" addresses multiple staff. For one person: "yesh lekha" (m) or "yesh lakh" (f).

   Grammar Note

   Hebrew forms comparatives with "yoter" (more) after the adjective. "Gdola yoter" = "bigger/larger."

5. אֲנִי אֶקַּח אֶת זֶה

   Ani ekakh et ze

   I'll take this one

   Usage

   Used when you decide to purchase an item.

   Grammar Note

   "Ekakh" is future tense, 1st person singular. "Et" is the Hebrew accusative marker used before definite direct objects.

6. יֵשׁ לָכֶם שַׂקִּית?

   Yesh lakhem sakit?

   Do you have a bag?

   Usage

   In Israel, plastic bags often cost extra. It's good to ask before assuming a free bag will be provided.

   Grammar Note

   "Sakit" is a diminutive of "sak" (sack/bag). Hebrew has a diminutive suffix "-it" that creates smaller versions of nouns.

7. אֶפְשָׁר לְקַבֵּל קַבָּלָה?

   Efshar lekabel kabala?

   Can I get a receipt?

   Usage

   Receipt is "kabala." Needed for tourist VAT refund claims.

   Grammar Note

   Root k-b-l of "kabala" (receipt) means to receive — the same root as "Kabbalah" (Jewish mysticism: receiving tradition).

8. מָתַי הַשּׁוּק פָּתוּחַ?

   Matai hashuk patuakh?

   When is the market open?

   Usage

   Used to ask about market hours, e.g. Mahane Yehuda in Jerusalem.

   Grammar Note

   "Shuk" is Hebrew/Arabic for market, known internationally as "souk." Root p-t-kh of "patuakh" means to open.

9. אֶפְשָׁר לְשַׁלֵּם בְּכַרְטִיס אַשְׁרַאי?

   Efshar leshalem bekartis ashrai?

   Can I pay by credit card?

   Usage

   Credit cards are widely accepted in Israel but small market stalls may be cash only.

   Grammar Note

   "Leshalem" (to pay) shares root sh-l-m with "shalom" (peace). The semantic link: "to make complete/whole" → "to settle a debt."

10. זֶה לֹא מַה שֶּׁהִזְמַנְתִּי

    Ze lo ma shehizmanti

    This is not what I ordered

    Usage

    Used when you receive the wrong item. A polite way to point out a mistake.

    Grammar Note

    "Hizmanti" is the past tense 1st person of "lehazmin" (to order/invite). Root z-m-n also gives "zman" (time).

11. אֲנִי לֹא צָרִיךְ קַבָּלָה

    Ani lo tsarikh kabala

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Used to decline a receipt at checkout. This is the masculine form; a female speaker says "tsrikha". "Kabala" is also the word used when asking for one.

    Grammar Note

    "Tsarikh" is a modal adjective used without a copula and inflects for gender and number (m. tsarikh / f. tsrikha). Negation puts "lo" before it.

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