Hebrew Idioms: Think and Speak Like a Native
"גם זה יעבור," my Israeli friend told me, patting my shoulder as I sobbed about failing my Hebrew exam.
"What does that even MEAN?!" I wailed. "This will also... pass? Like, pass the exam? Because I definitely didn't—"
She burst out laughing. "No, no! It means 'this too shall pass'—like, this bad moment won't last forever."
Oh. OH. That's... actually beautiful?
Here's what nobody tells you: Hebrew is PACKED with idioms. We're talking ancient Biblical phrases mixed with modern slang, Arabic expressions that got Hebraized, and sayings that sound absolutely ridiculous when translated literally but make perfect sense in context.
"He threw me a glove" = He challenged me.
"Heart of gold" = Kind person (okay, that one's universal).
"To break the head" = To overthink OR to drive someone crazy.
Welcome to Hebrew idioms, where everything is figurative and the literal meanings don't matter.
Quick Start
New to Hebrew? Begin with our conversational phrases and modern slang before diving into idioms.
Why Hebrew Idioms Matter
The Gap Between Translation and Meaning
Consider this conversation:
Hebrew: "הוא זרק לי כפפה"
Literal translation: "He threw me a glove"
Actual meaning: "He challenged me"
Without understanding the idiom, you'd be completely lost. This happens constantly in Hebrew conversation.
Idioms help you:
- 🗣️ Understand native speakers - Israelis use idioms constantly
- 🎯 Sound natural - Transform from textbook to authentic
- 🧠 Think in Hebrew - Idioms reflect cultural logic
- 📺 Enjoy media - Movies, TV, music make more sense
- 🤝 Connect culturally - Share references with locals
Essential Hebrew Idioms (By Theme)
Life & Philosophy
1. גם זה יעבור / Gam ze ya'avor
Pronunciation: gahm zeh yah-ah-VOR
Literal: This too shall pass
Meaning: Nothing lasts forever—both good and bad times are temporary.
Usage:
Friend: "אני עובר תקופה קשה" (I'm going through a hard time)
You: "גם זה יעבור, תראה" (This too shall pass, you'll see)
Cultural context: One of the most famous Hebrew expressions, often attributed to King Solomon. Reflects Jewish resilience and long-term perspective.
2. מה שהיה היה / Ma sheaya haya
Pronunciation: mah sheh-hah-YAH hah-YAH
Literal: What was, was
Meaning: Let bygones be bygones; don't dwell on the past.
Usage:
"מה שהיה היה, בואו נסתכל קדימה"
(What's done is done, let's look forward)
When to use: Moving past conflicts, forgetting old arguments, starting fresh.
3. יהיה בסדר / Yihiye beseder
Pronunciation: yee-h'YEH beh-SEH-der
Literal: It will be okay
Meaning: Everything will work out; don't worry.
Usage:
"אל תדאג, יהיה בסדר"
(Don't worry, it'll be okay)
Cultural note: Perhaps THE most Israeli expression. Reflects optimism and confidence. You'll hear this constantly.
Variation: "הכל יסתדר" (Hakol yistader - Everything will work itself out)
4. בלי נדר / Bli neder
Pronunciation: blee NEH-der
Literal: Without a vow
Meaning: I'll try, but no promises; tentative commitment.
Usage:
"בוא מחר בלי נדר"
(Come tomorrow, hopefully/no promises)
Cultural context: Religious origin—avoiding making vows you can't keep. Now used casually for any tentative commitment.
Actions & Behavior
5. לזרוק כפפה / Lizrok kappa
Pronunciation: leez-ROHK kah-PAH
Literal: To throw a glove
Meaning: To challenge someone; to call someone out.
Usage:
"הוא זרק לי כפפה ואני קיבלתי אותה"
(He challenged me and I accepted)
Origin: From medieval dueling tradition where throwing a glove meant challenging to a duel.
6. לעשות חיים / La'asot chayim
Pronunciation: lah-ah-SOHT khah-YEEM
Literal: To make life
Meaning: To party; to live it up; to celebrate.
Usage:
"בואו נעשה חיים הערב!"
(Let's party tonight!)
Cultural note: Reflects Israeli culture of living fully and celebrating life.
7. לשבור את הראש / Lishbor et harosh
Pronunciation: leesh-BOR eht hah-ROHSH
Literal: To break the head
Meaning: To overthink; to rack one's brain; to drive crazy.
Usage:
"אל תשבור את הראש, זה לא כזה מסובך"
(Don't overthink it, it's not that complicated)
"הוא שבר לי את הראש עם השאלות"
(He drove me crazy with questions)
8. להכות בעין / Leiכות ba'ayin
Pronunciation: leh-hah-KOHT bah-AH-yeen
Literal: To hit in the eye
Meaning: Something stands out; very noticeable; obvious.
Usage:
"הטעות מכה בעין"
(The mistake is glaringly obvious)
Character & Personality
9. לב של זהב / Lev shel zahav
Pronunciation: lehv shehl zah-HAHV
Literal: Heart of gold
Meaning: Kind, generous person (same as English).
Usage:
"יש לה לב של זהב, תמיד עוזרת לכולם"
(She has a heart of gold, always helping everyone)
10. נשמה טובה / Neshama tova
Pronunciation: neh-shah-MAH toh-VAH
Literal: Good soul
Meaning: Genuinely good person; sweet soul.
Usage:
"איזה נשמה טובה הוא!"
(What a sweet soul he is!)
Note: Higher compliment than just "טוב" (good). Refers to someone's essential nature.
11. חכם בדיעבד / Chacham bedi'evad
Pronunciation: khah-KHAHM beh-dee-eh-VAHD
Literal: Wise in hindsight
Meaning: Hindsight is 20/20; armchair quarterback; Monday morning quarterback.
Usage:
"קל להיות חכם בדיעבד"
(It's easy to be wise after the fact)
12. עין רעה / Ayin ra'ah
Pronunciation: AH-yeen rah-AH
Literal: Evil eye
Meaning: Jealousy that causes bad luck; bad energy; jinxing.
Usage:
"בלי עין הרע!"
(No evil eye! / Don't jinx it!)
Cultural context: Widely believed superstition in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures. Said to ward off jealousy's curse.
Related: "תפו תפו תפו" (Tfu tfu tfu - spitting sound to ward off evil eye)
Success & Failure
13. שמיים עזרה / Shamayim ezra
Pronunciation: shah-MAH-yeem ehz-RAH
Literal: Heaven help
Meaning: Divine intervention; miraculous help; lucky break.
Usage:
"איך עברת את הבחינה?" "שמיים עזרה!"
(How did you pass the exam? Divine intervention!)
14. מזל טוב / Mazal tov
Pronunciation: mah-ZAHL tohv
Literal: Good luck/fortune
Meaning: Congratulations! (NOT "good luck")
Usage:
"התחתנת? מזל טוב!"
(You got married? Congratulations!)
Important: Used for celebrations that already happened, NOT for wishing luck before events.
For "good luck" say: "בהצלחה" (behatzlacha)
15. פלח את הקופה / Palach et hakupa
Pronunciation: pah-LAHKH eht hah-koo-PAH
Literal: Split open the cashbox
Meaning: Hit the jackpot; struck it rich; made a fortune.
Usage:
"השקעה שלו פלחה את הקופה"
(His investment hit the jackpot)
16. נפל על הפנים / Nafal al hapanim
Pronunciation: nah-FAHL ahl hah-pah-NEEM
Literal: Fell on the face
Meaning: Failed miserably; flopped; disaster.
Usage:
"המסיבה נפלה על הפנים"
(The party was a disaster)
Relationships & People
17. עושה לי את זה / Oseh li et ze
Pronunciation: oh-SEH lee eht ZEH
Literal: Doing it to me
Meaning: Turning me on; working for me; appeals to me.
Usage:
"הסגנון הזה לא עושה לי את זה"
(This style doesn't work for me / doesn't appeal to me)
"הוא ממש עושה לי את זה"
(He really turns me on)
Note: Can be about attraction, style, food, music—anything that appeals to you.
18. קופץ על זה / Kofetz al ze
Pronunciation: koh-FEHTZ ahl ZEH
Literal: Jumping on it
Meaning: Eager for it; all over it; seizing an opportunity.
Usage:
"משרה פנויה? אני קופץ על זה!"
(Job opening? I'm all over it!)
19. לחיות בכיס של מישהו / Lichyot bekis shel mishehu
Pronunciation: leekh-YOHT beh-KEES shehl mee-sheh-HOO
Literal: To live in someone's pocket
Meaning: To mooch off someone; to be financially dependent.
Usage:
"הוא חי בכיס של ההורים שלו"
(He's mooching off his parents)
20. שותף בצרה / Shutaf betzara
Pronunciation: shoo-TAHF beh-tzah-RAH
Literal: Partner in trouble
Meaning: Someone who goes through difficulties with you; friend in need.
Usage:
"הוא היה איתי בכל התקופה הקשה - שותף בצרה"
(He was with me through the whole hard time - a true friend)
Communication
21. דיבור גבוה / Dibur gavo'ah
Pronunciation: dee-BOOR gah-VOH-ah
Literal: High talk
Meaning: Big talk; empty promises; all talk, no action.
Usage:
"הוא מלא דיבורים גבוהים אבל לא עושה כלום"
(He's all talk but does nothing)
22. לדבר מהלב / Ledaber mehalev
Pronunciation: leh-dah-BEHR meh-hah-LEHV
Literal: To speak from the heart
Meaning: To speak sincerely; heart-to-heart talk.
Usage:
"אני רוצה לדבר איתך מהלב"
(I want to talk to you sincerely)
23. שומע ולא מקשיב / Shome'a velo makshiv
Pronunciation: shoh-MAY-ah veh-LOH mahk-SHEEV
Literal: Hearing but not listening
Meaning: Not paying attention; hearing but not processing.
Usage:
"אתה שומע ולא מקשיב!"
(You're not really listening!)
Work & Effort
24. לעבוד כמו סוס / La'avod kmo sus
Pronunciation: lah-ah-VOHD keh-MOH SOOS
Literal: To work like a horse
Meaning: To work very hard; to toil.
Usage:
"עבדתי כמו סוס השבוע"
(I worked like a horse this week)
25. להכות בפטיש / Lehakot bapatish
Pronunciation: leh-hah-KOHT bah-pah-TEESH
Literal: To hit with a hammer
Meaning: To hit the nail on the head; to be exactly right.
Usage:
"הכית בפטיש, זה בדיוק מה שחשבתי"
(You hit the nail on the head, that's exactly what I thought)
26. עבודת סיזיף / Avodat Sisyphus
Pronunciation: ah-voh-DAHT see-see-FOOS
Literal: Sisyphus's work
Meaning: Endless, pointless task (like the Greek myth).
Usage:
"לנקות את הבית עם שלושה ילדים זה עבודת סיזיף"
(Cleaning the house with three kids is a Sisyphean task)
Time & Urgency
27. בין כה וכה / Bein ko vacho
Pronunciation: bein KOH vah-KHOH
Literal: Between this and that
Meaning: In the meantime; meanwhile; anyway.
Usage:
"בין כה וכה, אני צריך לסיים את העבודה"
(In any case, I need to finish the work)
28. ברגע האחרון / Barega ha'acharon
Pronunciation: bah-REH-gah hah-ah-khah-ROHN
Literal: In the last moment
Meaning: At the last minute; in the nick of time.
Usage:
"הוא תמיד מגיע ברגע האחרון"
(He always arrives at the last minute)
29. לקחת את הזמן / Lakachat et hazman
Pronunciation: lah-KAH-khaht eht hah-zmahn
Literal: To take the time
Meaning: To take one's time; not rush; go slow.
Usage:
"קח את הזמן, אין צורך למהר"
(Take your time, no need to rush)
Money & Value
30. יקר מפז / Yakar mipaz
Pronunciation: yah-KAHR mee-PAHZ
Literal: More expensive than gold
Meaning: Extremely valuable; precious; priceless.
Usage:
"הידידות שלנו יקרה מפז"
(Our friendship is priceless)
31. לא שווה את הכאב ראש / Lo shaveh et hake'ev rosh
Pronunciation: loh shah-VEH eht hah-keh-EVE ROHSH
Literal: Not worth the headache
Meaning: Not worth the trouble; more trouble than it's worth.
Usage:
"העבודה הזאת לא שווה את הכאב ראש"
(This job isn't worth the hassle)
32. זול וזועם / Zol vezo'em
Pronunciation: ZOHL veh-zoh-EHM
Literal: Cheap and angry
Meaning: Cheap and nasty; low quality and aggressive.
Usage:
"המוצר הזה זול וזועם"
(This product is cheap and crappy)
Origin: Rhymes in Hebrew, making it catchy.
Wisdom & Knowledge
33. תפסת מרובה לא תפסת / Tafasta merube lo tafasta
Pronunciation: tah-FAHS-tah meh-roo-BEH loh tah-FAHS-tah
Literal: If you grabbed too much, you grabbed nothing
Meaning: Less is more; don't be too greedy; focus on essentials.
Usage:
"אל תנסה ללמוד הכל בבת אחת - תפסת מרובה לא תפסת"
(Don't try to learn everything at once - you'll end up learning nothing)
Origin: Talmudic wisdom, still used daily.
34. לחיות בעולם אחר / Lichyot be'olam acher
Pronunciation: leekh-YOHT beh-oh-LAHM ah-KHEHR
Literal: To live in another world
Meaning: Oblivious to reality; out of touch; clueless.
Usage:
"אתה חי בעולם אחר אם אתה חושב שזה אפשרי"
(You're living in another world if you think that's possible)
35. עץ נופל עושה יותר רעש מיער צומח / Etz nofel oseh yoter ra'ash miya'ar tzome'ach
Pronunciation: ehtz noh-FEHL oh-SEH yoh-TEHR RAH-ahsh mee-YAH-ahr tzoh-MEH-ahkh
Literal: A falling tree makes more noise than a growing forest
Meaning: Bad news travels fast; destruction is louder than creation; negativity gets more attention.
Usage:
"לא שומעים על כל הטוב שקורה - עץ נופל עושה יותר רעש מיער צומח"
(You don't hear about all the good happening - negative news gets more attention)
Biblical & Traditional Idioms
36. לשפוך מים בקולמוס / Lishpoch mayim bakulmus
Pronunciation: leesh-POAKH MAH-yeem bah-kool-MOOS
Literal: To pour water into a sieve
Meaning: Wasted effort; pointless task.
Usage:
"לנסות לשכנע אותו זה כמו לשפוך מים בקולמוס"
(Trying to convince him is like pouring water into a sieve)
37. יד אוחזת ביד / Yad ochezes beyad
Pronunciation: YAHD oh-KHEH-zeht beh-YAHD
Literal: Hand holding hand
Meaning: Hand in hand; together; united.
Usage:
"אנחנו עובדים יד ביד"
(We work hand in hand)
38. חמור נושא ספרים / Chamor noseh sefarim
Pronunciation: khah-MOHR noh-SEH seh-fah-REEM
Literal: A donkey carrying books
Meaning: Someone with knowledge but no understanding; educated but foolish.
Usage:
"יש לו תואר אבל הוא חמור נושא ספרים"
(He has a degree but doesn't actually understand anything)
Origin: Talmudic saying about the difference between having information and having wisdom.
Modern Israeli Idioms
39. להיות על הגל / Lihyot al hagal
Pronunciation: lee-h'YOHT ahl hah-GAHL
Literal: To be on the wave
Meaning: To be trendy; to be with it; to be up-to-date.
Usage:
"הוא תמיד על הגל עם הטכנולוגיה"
(He's always up-to-date with technology)
40. לעשות חשבון נפש / La'asot cheshbon nefesh
Pronunciation: lah-ah-SOHT khesh-BOHN NEH-fesh
Literal: To make a soul accounting
Meaning: Soul-searching; self-reflection; taking stock of oneself.
Usage:
"אחרי השנה הקשה הזאת, צריך לעשות חשבון נפש"
(After this difficult year, I need to do some soul-searching)
Cultural context: Traditional Jewish practice, especially around High Holidays.
How to Learn and Use Idioms
1. Context is Everything
❌ Don't: Memorize idioms as isolated phrases
✅ Do: Learn idioms with example sentences and situations
2. Start with High-Frequency Idioms
Focus on the most common expressions first:
- יהיה בסדר (It'll be okay)
- גם זה יעבור (This too shall pass)
- לב של זהב (Heart of gold)
- מזל טוב (Congratulations)
- בלי עין הרע (No evil eye)
3. Watch Israeli Media
Best sources for idioms:
- 📺 TV shows - Conversational, natural usage
- 🎬 Movies - Cultural context included
- 🎙️ Podcasts - Authentic speech patterns
- 📱 Social media - Modern expressions
4. Practice with Native Speakers
💬 Try using one new idiom per conversation
🎯 Ask Israelis to correct your usage
📝 Keep an idiom journal
5. Understand Cultural Context
Many Hebrew idioms reflect:
- 📖 Biblical and Talmudic wisdom
- 🏛️ Ancient Middle Eastern culture
- 🇮🇱 Modern Israeli values
- 🌍 Mediterranean worldview
Common Mistakes with Hebrew Idioms
Mistake 1: Literal Translation
❌ Wrong: Translating word-for-word to English
✅ Right: Understanding the meaning, not the words
Example:
- Hebrew: "הוא קנה לי אותה" (He bought me her)
- English equivalent: "He sold me on it" (He convinced me)
Mistake 2: Using Formal Idioms Casually
❌ Wrong: Using biblical idioms with friends
✅ Right: Matching idiom register to context
Example:
- Formal: "יד אוחזת ביד" (Hand holding hand)
- Casual: "יחד" (Together) - simpler
Mistake 3: Mixing Up Similar Idioms
Common confusion:
- "מזל טוב" (Congratulations) vs. "בהצלחה" (Good luck)
- "גם זה יעבור" (This too shall pass) vs. "מה שהיה היה" (What's done is done)
Regional Variations
Ashkenazi vs. Sephardic Idioms
Some idioms reflect cultural origins:
From Yiddish (Ashkenazi):
- "שליימזל" (Shlimazel - unlucky person)
- "חוצפה" (Chutzpah - audacity)
From Arabic/Ladino (Sephardic):
- "יאללה" (Yalla - let's go)
- "סבבה" (Sababa - cool)
Modern Hebrew blends both seamlessly.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Match the Idiom
Match the situation to the appropriate idiom:
Situations:
- Your friend failed an important exam
- Someone just got engaged
- A project was a complete disaster
- Someone is working extremely hard
Idioms:
a. גם זה יעבור
b. מזל טוב
c. נפל על הפנים
d. עובד כמו סוס
Exercise 2: Complete the Idiom
Fill in the missing words:
- "יש לה לב של _____" (She has a heart of _____)
- "הוא _____ על הפנים" (He fell on his _____)
- "זה לא _____ את הכאב ראש" (It's not _____ the headache)
Your 30-Day Idiom Mastery Plan
Week 1: Foundation (Days 1-7)
✅ Learn 10 most common idioms
✅ Watch one Israeli TV episode
✅ Create flashcards with context
✅ Use 2-3 idioms in conversation
Week 2: Expansion (Days 8-14)
✅ Add 10 more idioms
✅ Study cultural origins
✅ Practice with language partners
✅ Write sentences using new idioms
Week 3: Integration (Days 15-21)
✅ Learn situational usage
✅ Watch Israeli news/podcasts
✅ Try using idioms naturally
✅ Get feedback from natives
Week 4: Mastery (Days 22-30)
✅ Total of 40+ idioms learned
✅ Use idioms without thinking
✅ Understand cultural nuances
✅ Teach idioms to other learners
FAQs
Q: How many Hebrew idioms do I need to know?
A: Start with 20-30 common ones. Native speakers know hundreds, but you don't need that many to sound natural.
Q: Are idioms the same in all Hebrew dialects?
A: Mostly yes, but some regional variations exist (Ashkenazi vs. Sephardic origins).
Q: Can I create my own Hebrew idioms?
A: Better not to! Stick to established expressions. Made-up idioms sound strange to native speakers.
Q: Do young Israelis still use traditional idioms?
A: Yes, many traditional idioms are still very common. Some ancient expressions are used daily.
Q: What if I use an idiom incorrectly?
A: Native speakers will find it endearing and usually correct you gently. Don't be afraid to try!
Final Thoughts
Mastering Hebrew idioms transforms your language from functional to fluent. These expressions connect you to thousands of years of Jewish culture while helping you navigate modern Israeli society.
Remember:
- 🎯 Start with common idioms - Build from frequently used expressions
- 📖 Learn context, not just words - Understand the meaning behind the phrase
- 🗣️ Practice regularly - Use idioms in real conversations
- 🎬 Immerse in media - Watch, listen, read
- 🤝 Get feedback - Ask natives to correct your usage
Next Steps:
Ready to sound like a native?
🚀 Practice now: Conversation trainer
💬 Modern slang: Israeli slang 2025
📚 Build foundation: 100 everyday phrases
🎯 Complete plan: 6-month study plan
יהיה בסדר - It'll be okay! 🇮🇱
Now go use these idioms and watch Israelis' faces light up when you speak like a true native. Gam ze ya'avor if you make mistakes—that's how you learn!
Last updated: November 2025
Cultural review: Native Hebrew speakers from diverse backgrounds
Next update: February 2026 with modern idioms