Common Israeli-only Expressions

Posted by Sigal Mendelson on June 25, 2009 under Aliyah, Learn Hebrew | 6 Comments to Read

Israelis have a collection of frequently-used expressions, used without too much thinking. This is why they disclose so much about the sometimes funny sometimes irritating Israeli mentality.

“Good Morning, Elijah”Used to make fun of someone who’s just “Discovered” a fact know to all. Elijah refers to the prophet Elijah.	Boker Tov Eliyahoo	(בוקר טוב אליהו (הנביא
“Where are you from in the country?”	Me’Eifo Ata Ba Aretz?	?מאיפה אתה בארץ
“Who taught you driving?”	Mi Limed Otcha Eich Linhog?	?מי לימד אותך לנהוג
Where did you serve (in the military)?This is probably the first or second introductory question among Israelis.	Eifo Sherateta?	?איפה שרתת
“I’m not in the line. I only have a question”Typical excused used by Israeli’s pushing through a queue	Ani Lo Bator. Ani Rak Rotze Lish’ol she’ela	אני לא בתור אני רק רוצה לשאול שאלה.
“Go look for your friends”Sending someone away angrily, like “go bother somewhere else”	Lech khapes Et Ha Khaverim Shelcha	לך חפש את החברים שלך
“Comrades are only at EGED”Referring to “EGED”, the major bus company in Israel. It used to be employee owned in a socialist concept. The expression is used when someone asks for concessions due to personal relations.	Khaverim Yesh Rak Be’Eged	חברים יש רק באגד
“May you have the same soon”Wishing someone back	Be’Karov Etzlekha	בקרוב אצלך
“Everything will be just fine”The most common expression with Israelis. Used especially as things get worse, with opposite relation to reality.	Yiheyeh Beseder	יהיה בסדר

HebrewOnline.com - Learn Hebrew online with Israel best teachers
sign up for Hebrew Online Course

Hebrew Student said,

Thanks for these great Israeli phrases. Another Hebrew expression you will hear is “Ma Pitom” which is difficult to translate into English, but expresses surprise at something someone said.
Sigal Mendelson said,

Thank you for your comment.

You are correct. There is no direct translation in English for “Ma Pitom?”, yet it is a commonly used expression.

The closest English expression is “How Come?”

You are also welcome to visit our Classical Hebrew Blog in http://www.classicalhebrewblog.com

Regards
Sigal Mendelson
Joseph Tenenbaum said,

I was confused by the Hebrew for Mi Limed Otcha Eich Linhog? — There seems to be an extra word in the transliteration.
Sigal Mendelson said,

No. There is no extra word in the transliteration. The meaning is “Who taught you driving?”

You are also welcome to visit our Classical Hebrew Blog in http://www.classicalhebrewblog.com

Regards
Sigal Mendelson
Pavan said,

Can any one help me to Translate these words in to comman english??
“Ani rutse se rak tavinioti ve jev………”
Thanks in advance for the great help.
my mail id is pavanpaul58@yahoo.com
Pavan said,

Can any one help me to Translate these words in to comman english??
“Ani rutse se rak tavinioti ve jev………”
Thanks in advance for the great help.
my mail id is pavanpaul58@yahoo.com
Pavan Paul