44 must know, modern Hebrew slang words. Sababa!
Hebrew: מילון סלאנג עברי
She quietly spent a fortune - it was all done b'shushu
How many Hebrew slang words do you know? You need to learn modern Hebrew slang to sound like a fluent native speaker and to understand Hebrew conversation.
We have chosen 43 of the very best Hebrew slang words and common phrases that will help you understand the locals. They'll make you smile and some of them might even crack you up!
From A-E
Achla - אחלה
Achla is an Arabic word meaning great
For example: An Achla dress or an Achla movie. In Israel there is even a brand of hummous called Achla
Al HaPanim - על הפנים
The literal translation of Al HaPanim is "On the face"
It actually means: Terrible or awful
For example: This flu is really getting to me - I am feeling al HaPanim
Avarnu et Paro, na’avor gam et zeh - עברנו את פרעה נעבור גם את זה
Translated this phrase means: We overcame Pharaoh (in Egypt) and we will get through this too.
Its meaning: We overcame immense hardship and we will overcome this too.
For example: It’s been more than five hours already and we haven’t solved the problem. Don’t worry, avarnu et Pharaoh, na’avor gam et zeh.
Balagan - באלגן
A balagan is a mess, a catastrophe or complicated situation.
For example: There is such a balagan in the kitchen, I'd better clean up. Or you could say; there is such a balagan in the government at the moment, every day something else happens
Be’shu'shu - בשושו
Be'shu'shu means doing something quietly or secretly behind the scenes without notifying anyone
Example: He didn't tell us he got a new car. He always does things be’shu'shu.
Beten gav - בטן גב
The literal translation of Beten Gav is: Stomach, back
It means: A time of relaxation, when all one does is turn over from ones back to ones stomach.
For example: I've been working so hard lately, I really need some beten gav.
Boker tov Eliyahu - בוקר טוב אליהו
The literal translation of Boker Tov Eliyahu is: Good morning Eliyahu!
It means: Nice of you to show up or remember
For example: Boker tov Eliyahu! Where have you been? We said 10am and it's now12
Elef Ahuz - אלף אחוז
Elef Ahuz translates to:1,000 percent
It means: Being absolutely certain about something.
For example : Are you sure you he is having an affair? Yes - elef ahuz!
In other countries we'd say - one hundred percent, but In Israel everything is ten times bigger or more important than anywhere else!
Eichsa fichsa or eichs - איכסה פיכסה
Literally means: Yuck
For example: Eichsa, this food is not tasty at all
Eizeh seret - איזה סרט
The literal translation of Eizeh Seret is: What a movie
The meaning: A series of out-of-the-ordinary events in real-life and usually with a negative connotation
For example: You can't believe what we had to go through at the border crossing.... Eizeh seret!
Also, of course, if you saw a great movie, you would say: Gee, the Titanic, eizeh seret!
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