Learn how to use some common Hebrew greetings
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| Shalom, ani Yana. Hi everybody! I’m Yana. |
| Welcome to HebrewPod101.com’s “Ivrit be-shalosh dakot”. The fastest, easiest, and most fun way to learn Hebrew. |
| In the last lesson, we learned how to be grateful to people by saying toda. In this lesson we’ll learn some of the most common greetings used in Israel. |
| Atem muhanim? Are you ready? az bou nathil, so let’s start! |
| The most used greeting is: |
| Shalom! |
| [slowly] Shalom. |
| We also saw it in the first lesson. Shalom simply means “hi”, or “hello” -- it can also mean “goodbye”. |
| We use it when we meet but also can use it when we part. Shalom means something like “peace”, so it makes the greeting very special. It is common to say Shalom in both informal and formal situations and at any time of day. |
| In the morning you can also greet people with; |
| Boker tov! |
| [slowly] Boker tov. |
| which means “good morning”. Boker is “morning” and Tov is “good”. |
| During the evening we also say: |
| Erev tov. |
| [slowly] Erev tov. |
| Erev is Hebrew for “evening,” so Erev tov means good evening. |
| Boker tov and Erev tov are used when we meet someone, but when we leave, we don’t say them again. |
| Another way to say “goodbye” in Hebrew is: |
| Lehitraot. |
| [slowly] Lehitraot. |
| It is actually more common to use Lehitraot than Shalom when leaving. |
| Now you can greet people in many different ways in Hebrew! |
| Let’s review them all again. |
| When meeting people in formal and informal situations: |
| Shalom! |
| In the morning until the afternoon, we say: |
| Boker tov. And in the evening Erev tov! |
| When leaving, in any situation: |
| Lehitraot! |
| It’s easy, isn’t it? |
| Now it’s time for Yana’s Insights. |
| In formal situations, Israeli people commonly greet each other by shaking hands. On the other hand, if we meet someone we are very friendly with, we kiss each other on one cheek. Don’t be afraid to do it with your Israeli friends—it’s normal! |
| During the next lesson we’ll learn the meaning of the phrase Ata medaber Anglit? or At medaberet Anglit? Do you already know it? We'll be waiting to talk about it with you in our next Fast Hebrew/Ivrit lesson. |
| Lehitraot! |
32 Comments
HideHi listeners! Let's practice greetings here!
Dear Ron Curry, David Charles Shandorf, and Sunset Friday,
Thank you all for commenting on this lesson and sharing your questions and appreciation to the Hebrew language! ❤️️❤️️
@Ron Curry - the Hebrew R (reish) is more similar to the Spanish one than to the German one, but it is pronounced usually drier and shorter. The habit of "rolling" the reish (like in Spanish - rrrrr) was common in the past, but modern Hebrew speakers don't do that anymore.
The best way to hear this is to listen to Israeli podcasts, maybe, and try to slow down the speed and pay attention to the pronunciation.
I hope that helps 😄
Best,
Roi
Team HebrewPod101.com
Shalom :) thank you for teaching us Hebrew. I'm very grateful for your lessons.
Beautiful greetings! The language itself bespeaks of kindness!
I speak English, Spanish and German. I know the resh is not pronounced like the American R.
Some of the descriptions and teachers discuss the German R (back of throat), but some teachers seem to be using the Spanish R (near the front of the mouth). Is one preferred? Is that a Sephardic/Ashkenazi difference?
Thanks,
Ron
Hi Maria,
Thanks for posting and sharing your work!
Well done! You only had one mistake in the word "and stars" - in Hebrew it will be written as "וכוכבים".
Keep up the great work! 👍👍
Roi
Team HebrewPod101.com
שלום! אני מריה 😊 נעים מאוד! ערב טוב! אני אוהבת חתולים, כלבים, בכוחבים 😁 תודה רבה! להתראות!
(Hello! I'm Maria 😊 it's a pleasure! Good evening! I love cats, dogs, and stars 😁 thank you very much! See you soon!)
Did I write it correctly? 😅
Hi Prasad,
Thank you very much for the kind feedback! You're very welcome 😉
We are happy that you enjoy the lessons 😄
Please feel free to comment and post your questions in case you have any 👍
Yours,
Roi
Team HebrewPod101.com
Yana madam really you are explaining in very good method. I like the way you teach. really very nice thank you
Hi Joshua,
Thanks for commenting, we're happy that you enjoy our lessons!
Please let us know if you have any questions regarding the lessons or the learning materials - we're here to help 👍
Yours,
Roi
Team HebrewPod101.com
Laheitraot is the worst word ever when i hear you saying it i dont wabt you to go at all, your making this course so fun and cool. You are the best tewcher that i have ever had Todah Yanna