These words are the glue of any conversation. You'll use them in every interaction — in shops, taxis, restaurants, and with friends. Memorise all of them before moving on.
Yes, No, Maybe
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| כֵּן | Ken | Yes | Straightforward yes. Also used to confirm you're listening. |
| לֹא | Lo | No | One of the most important words. Also used as a negation before verbs. |
| אוּלַי | Ulay | Maybe / Perhaps | Used exactly like English "maybe". |
| כְּנִרְאֶה | Kenire'e | Apparently / It seems so | A soft "probably yes". Literal: "as it appears". |
| כֵּן וְלֹא | Ken ve'lo | Yes and no | When the answer is complicated — used just like in English. |
Thank You & Please
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| תּוֹדָה | Toda | Thank you | The standard thank you. Learn this on day one. |
| תּוֹדָה רַבָּה | Toda raba | Thank you very much | Literal: "great thanks". More emphatic. |
| תּוֹדָה רַבָּה לְךָ | Toda raba lecha | Thank you so much (to a man) | Adding לְךָ (lecha, m) or לָךְ (lach, f) makes it personal. |
| בְּבַקָּשָׁה | Bevakasha | Please / You're welcome | Double duty: "please" when asking, and "you're welcome" after being thanked. |
| עַל לֹא דָּבָר | Al lo davar | You're welcome / Don't mention it | Literal: "for nothing". Another way to say "you're welcome". |
Sorry & Excuse Me
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| סְלִיחָה | Slicha | Sorry / Excuse me | Works for both sorry (apology) and excuse me (getting attention or passing someone). Extremely versatile. |
| אֲנִי מִצְטַעֵר | Ani mitsta'er | I'm sorry | Male speaker (m). A sincere apology, stronger than סְלִיחָה. |
| אֲנִי מִצְטַעֶרֶת | Ani mitsta'eret | I'm sorry | Female speaker (f). |
Sure, Of Course, No Problem
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| בֶּטַח | Betach | Sure / Of course | Very commonly used. Also means "certainly" and "definitely". |
| בְּוַדַּאי | Bevadai | Certainly / Definitely | More formal than בֶּטַח. Literal: "for certain". |
| אֵין בְּעָיָה | Eyn be'aya | No problem | Literal: "there is no problem". One of the most heard phrases in Israel. |
| לֹא נוֹרָא | Lo nora | Never mind / It's fine / Not terrible | Literal: "not terrible". Reassuring phrase used to wave off an apology. |
Remember: בְּבַקָּשָׁה (Bevakasha) does double duty. When someone thanks you, reply with בְּבַקָּשָׁה — it means "you're welcome". When you want something, say בְּבַקָּשָׁה — it means "please".