Lesson Notes

Unlock In-Depth Explanations & Exclusive Takeaways with Printable Lesson Notes

Unlock Lesson Notes and Transcripts for every single lesson. Sign Up for a Free Lifetime Account and Get 7 Days of Premium Access.

Or sign up using Facebook
Already a Member?

Lesson Transcript

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 the phrase Sliha, at medaberet Anglit? Or, Sliha, ata medaber Anglit? "Excuse me, do you speak English?" We mentioned the word sliha, which means "excuse me" in Hebrew.
In this lesson we’re going to learn how to use sliha and other words when apologizing in Hebrew.
Sliha is a very common word and can be used in many situations;
We can use Sliha in both formal and informal occasions such as when we are ordering something in bars or restaurants. For example:
Sliha, kafe ehad bevakasha. "Excuse me, one coffee please."
[slowly] Sliha, kafe ehad bevakasha.
Do you remember what bevakasha means?
We can also use it when asking a question:
Sliha, eifo rehov Diszengoff "Excuse me, where is Dizengoff street?"
[slowly] Sliha, eifo rehov Dizengoff?
Sometimes we also hear people say Sliha...ehh, which means the same thing when you want to draw somebody's attention.
Also, in a situation where you want to make your way through a crowd for example, Sliha is used.
Israeli people use Sliha also for apologizing. For example if you accidentally bump into a person while making your way through that crowd!
We also use the word ani mitstaer or ani mitstaeret if you really want to apologize. You also might hear this phrase translated as “forgive me” or “I am sorry” in English.
Ani mitstaeret.
[slowly] Ani mitstaeret.
if you are a woman, and;
Ani mitstaer.
[slowly] Ani mitstaer. If you are a man.
The phrase Ani mitstaer, or Ani mitstaeret has a deeper meaning of apology than Sliha although both mean “I am sorry.”
Ani is “I am” (regardless of your gender), but the verb “be sorry” changes according to your gender. So- mitstaeret- is “I am sorry” or “ I apologize” if a woman says it.
and Ani mitstaer, if its a man.
If you feel really bad about something and want to deepen the apology even more, you can just add meod to your apology, which simply means “very much”.
We already used it in the lesson about self introductions, remember? Shalom, ani Yana. Naim meod.
You can also add meod to get Ani meod mitstaeret.
[slowly] Ani meod mitstaeret (for a woman)
Or, Ani meod mitstaer.
[slowly] Ani meod mitstaer. (for a man)
It simply translates as “I am really sorry” into English.
But please remember that you cannot use meod with Sliha.
Now it’s time for Yana’s Insights.
if you are not sure about what will be the proper phrase to use as an apology, its always your safest bet to simply use Sliha.
In this way, Israeli people will definitely appreciate your politeness.
Are you are able to count in Hebrew? In the next lesson we will learn the numbers in Hebrew from one to ten!
Hint; we already learned how to say “one” in this class...
I'll be waiting for you in our next Ivrit be-shalosh dakot lesson.
Lehitraot ve-ad ha- paam ha-baa!

Comments

Hide