Hebrew Idioms: Think and Speak Like a Native
"ืื ืื ืืขืืืจ," 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'tโ"
She burst out laughing. "No, no! It means 'this too shall pass'โlike, 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: "ืืื ืืจืง ืื ืืคืคื"
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:
- ๐ฃ๏ธ Understand native speakers - Israelis use idioms constantly
- ๐ฏ Sound natural - Transform from textbook to authentic
- ๐ง Think in Hebrew - Idioms reflect cultural logic
- ๐บ Enjoy media - Movies, TV, music make more sense
- ๐ค Connect culturally - Share references with locals
Essential Hebrew Idioms (By Theme)
Life & Philosophy
1. ืื ืื ืืขืืืจ / Gam ze ya'avor
Pronunciation: gahm zeh yah-ah-VOR
Literal: This too shall pass
Meaning: Nothing lasts foreverโboth good and bad times are temporary.
Usage:
Friend: "ืื ื ืขืืืจ ืชืงืืคื ืงืฉื" (I'm going through a hard time)
You: "ืื ืื ืืขืืืจ, ืชืจืื" (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. ืื ืฉืืื ืืื / 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:
"ืื ืฉืืื ืืื, ืืืื ื ืกืชืื ืงืืืื"
(What's done is done, let's look forward)
When to use: Moving past conflicts, forgetting old arguments, starting fresh.
3. ืืืื ืืกืืจ / Yihiye beseder
Pronunciation: yee-h'YEH beh-SEH-der
Literal: It will be okay
Meaning: Everything will work out; don't worry.
Usage:
"ืื ืชืืื, ืืืื ืืกืืจ"
(Don't worry, it'll be okay)
Cultural note: Perhaps THE most Israeli expression. Reflects optimism and confidence. You'll hear this constantly.
Variation: "ืืื ืืกืชืืจ" (Hakol yistader - Everything will work itself out)
4. ืืื ื ืืจ / Bli neder
Pronunciation: blee NEH-der
Literal: Without a vow
Meaning: I'll try, but no promises; tentative commitment.
Usage:
"ืืื ืืืจ ืืื ื ืืจ"
(Come tomorrow, hopefully/no promises)
Cultural context: Religious originโavoiding making vows you can't keep. Now used casually for any tentative commitment.
Actions & Behavior
5. ืืืจืืง ืืคืคื / Lizrok kappa
Pronunciation: leez-ROHK kah-PAH
Literal: To throw a glove
Meaning: To challenge someone; to call someone out.
Usage:
"ืืื ืืจืง ืื ืืคืคื ืืื ื ืงืืืืชื ืืืชื"
(He challenged me and I accepted)
Origin: From medieval dueling tradition where throwing a glove meant challenging to a duel.
6. ืืขืฉืืช ืืืื / La'asot chayim
Pronunciation: lah-ah-SOHT khah-YEEM
Literal: To make life
Meaning: To party; to live it up; to celebrate.
Usage:
"ืืืื ื ืขืฉื ืืืื ืืขืจื!"
(Let's party tonight!)
Cultural note: Reflects Israeli culture of living fully and celebrating life.
7. ืืฉืืืจ ืืช ืืจืืฉ / 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:
"ืื ืชืฉืืืจ ืืช ืืจืืฉ, ืื ืื ืืื ืืกืืื"
(Don't overthink it, it's not that complicated)
"ืืื ืฉืืจ ืื ืืช ืืจืืฉ ืขื ืืฉืืืืช"
(He drove me crazy with questions)
8. ืืืืืช ืืขืื / Leiืืืช ba'ayin
Pronunciation: leh-hah-KOHT bah-AH-yeen
Literal: To hit in the eye
Meaning: Something stands out; very noticeable; obvious.
Usage:
"ืืืขืืช ืืื ืืขืื"
(The mistake is glaringly obvious)
Character & Personality
9. ืื ืฉื ืืื / Lev shel zahav
Pronunciation: lehv shehl zah-HAHV
Literal: Heart of gold
Meaning: Kind, generous person (same as English).
Usage:
"ืืฉ ืื ืื ืฉื ืืื, ืชืืื ืขืืืจืช ืืืืื"
(She has a heart of gold, always helping everyone)
10. ื ืฉืื ืืืื / Neshama tova
Pronunciation: neh-shah-MAH toh-VAH
Literal: Good soul
Meaning: Genuinely good person; sweet soul.
Usage:
"ืืืื ื ืฉืื ืืืื ืืื!"
(What a sweet soul he is!)
Note: Higher compliment than just "ืืื" (good). Refers to someone's essential nature.
11. ืืื ืืืืขืื / 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:
"ืงื ืืืืืช ืืื ืืืืขืื"
(It's easy to be wise after the fact)
12. ืขืื ืจืขื / Ayin ra'ah
Pronunciation: AH-yeen rah-AH
Literal: Evil eye
Meaning: Jealousy that causes bad luck; bad energy; jinxing.
Usage:
"ืืื ืขืื ืืจืข!"
(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: "ืชืคื ืชืคื ืชืคื" (Tfu tfu tfu - spitting sound to ward off evil eye)
Success & Failure
13. ืฉืืืื ืขืืจื / Shamayim ezra
Pronunciation: shah-MAH-yeem ehz-RAH
Literal: Heaven help
Meaning: Divine intervention; miraculous help; lucky break.
Usage:
"ืืื ืขืืจืช ืืช ืืืืื ื?" "ืฉืืืื ืขืืจื!"
(How did you pass the exam? Divine intervention!)
14. ืืื ืืื / Mazal tov
Pronunciation: mah-ZAHL tohv
Literal: Good luck/fortune
Meaning: Congratulations! (NOT "good luck")
Usage:
"ืืชืืชื ืช? ืืื ืืื!"
(You got married? Congratulations!)
Important: Used for celebrations that already happened, NOT for wishing luck before events.
For "good luck" say: "ืืืฆืืื" (behatzlacha)
15. ืคืื ืืช ืืงืืคื / 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:
"ืืฉืงืขื ืฉืื ืคืืื ืืช ืืงืืคื"
(His investment hit the jackpot)
16. ื ืคื ืขื ืืคื ืื / Nafal al hapanim
Pronunciation: nah-FAHL ahl hah-pah-NEEM
Literal: Fell on the face
Meaning: Failed miserably; flopped; disaster.
Usage:
"ืืืกืืื ื ืคืื ืขื ืืคื ืื"
(The party was a disaster)
Relationships & People
17. ืขืืฉื ืื ืืช ืื / 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:
"ืืกืื ืื ืืื ืื ืขืืฉื ืื ืืช ืื"
(This style doesn't work for me / doesn't appeal to me)
"ืืื ืืืฉ ืขืืฉื ืื ืืช ืื"
(He really turns me on)
Note: Can be about attraction, style, food, musicโanything that appeals to you.
18. ืงืืคืฅ ืขื ืื / Kofetz al ze
Pronunciation: koh-FEHTZ ahl ZEH
Literal: Jumping on it
Meaning: Eager for it; all over it; seizing an opportunity.
Usage:
"ืืฉืจื ืคื ืืื? ืื ื ืงืืคืฅ ืขื ืื!"
(Job opening? I'm all over it!)
19. ืืืืืช ืืืืก ืฉื ืืืฉืื / 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:
"ืืื ืื ืืืืก ืฉื ืืืืจืื ืฉืื"
(He's mooching off his parents)
20. ืฉืืชืฃ ืืฆืจื / Shutaf betzara
Pronunciation: shoo-TAHF beh-tzah-RAH
Literal: Partner in trouble
Meaning: Someone who goes through difficulties with you; friend in need.
Usage:
"ืืื ืืื ืืืชื ืืื ืืชืงืืคื ืืงืฉื - ืฉืืชืฃ ืืฆืจื"
(He was with me through the whole hard time - a true friend)
Communication
21. ืืืืืจ ืืืื / Dibur gavo'ah
Pronunciation: dee-BOOR gah-VOH-ah
Literal: High talk
Meaning: Big talk; empty promises; all talk, no action.
Usage:
"ืืื ืืื ืืืืืจืื ืืืืืื ืืื ืื ืขืืฉื ืืืื"
(He's all talk but does nothing)
22. ืืืืจ ืืืื / Ledaber mehalev
Pronunciation: leh-dah-BEHR meh-hah-LEHV
Literal: To speak from the heart
Meaning: To speak sincerely; heart-to-heart talk.
Usage:
"ืื ื ืจืืฆื ืืืืจ ืืืชื ืืืื"
(I want to talk to you sincerely)
23. ืฉืืืข ืืื ืืงืฉืื / 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:
"ืืชื ืฉืืืข ืืื ืืงืฉืื!"
(You're not really listening!)
Work & Effort
24. ืืขืืื ืืื ืกืืก / 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:
"ืขืืืชื ืืื ืกืืก ืืฉืืืข"
(I worked like a horse this week)
25. ืืืืืช ืืคืืืฉ / 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:
"ืืืืช ืืคืืืฉ, ืื ืืืืืง ืื ืฉืืฉืืชื"
(You hit the nail on the head, that's exactly what I thought)
26. ืขืืืืช ืกืืืืฃ / Avodat Sisyphus
Pronunciation: ah-voh-DAHT see-see-FOOS
Literal: Sisyphus's work
Meaning: Endless, pointless task (like the Greek myth).
Usage:
"ืื ืงืืช ืืช ืืืืช ืขื ืฉืืืฉื ืืืืื ืื ืขืืืืช ืกืืืืฃ"
(Cleaning the house with three kids is a Sisyphean task)
Time & Urgency
27. ืืื ืื ืืื / Bein ko vacho
Pronunciation: bein KOH vah-KHOH
Literal: Between this and that
Meaning: In the meantime; meanwhile; anyway.
Usage:
"ืืื ืื ืืื, ืื ื ืฆืจืื ืืกืืื ืืช ืืขืืืื"
(In any case, I need to finish the work)
28. ืืจืืข ืืืืจืื / 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:
"ืืื ืชืืื ืืืืข ืืจืืข ืืืืจืื"
(He always arrives at the last minute)
29. ืืงืืช ืืช ืืืื / 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:
"ืงื ืืช ืืืื, ืืื ืฆืืจื ืืืืจ"
(Take your time, no need to rush)
Money & Value
30. ืืงืจ ืืคื / Yakar mipaz
Pronunciation: yah-KAHR mee-PAHZ
Literal: More expensive than gold
Meaning: Extremely valuable; precious; priceless.
Usage:
"ืืืืืืืช ืฉืื ื ืืงืจื ืืคื"
(Our friendship is priceless)
31. ืื ืฉืืื ืืช ืืืื ืจืืฉ / 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:
"ืืขืืืื ืืืืช ืื ืฉืืื ืืช ืืืื ืจืืฉ"
(This job isn't worth the hassle)
32. ืืื ืืืืขื / Zol vezo'em
Pronunciation: ZOHL veh-zoh-EHM
Literal: Cheap and angry
Meaning: Cheap and nasty; low quality and aggressive.
Usage:
"ืืืืฆืจ ืืื ืืื ืืืืขื"
(This product is cheap and crappy)
Origin: Rhymes in Hebrew, making it catchy.
Wisdom & Knowledge
33. ืชืคืกืช ืืจืืื ืื ืชืคืกืช / 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:
"ืื ืชื ืกื ืืืืื ืืื ืืืช ืืืช - ืชืคืกืช ืืจืืื ืื ืชืคืกืช"
(Don't try to learn everything at once - you'll end up learning nothing)
Origin: Talmudic wisdom, still used daily.
34. ืืืืืช ืืขืืื ืืืจ / 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:
"ืืชื ืื ืืขืืื ืืืจ ืื ืืชื ืืืฉื ืฉืื ืืคืฉืจื"
(You're living in another world if you think that's possible)
35. ืขืฅ ื ืืคื ืขืืฉื ืืืชืจ ืจืขืฉ ืืืขืจ ืฆืืื / 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:
"ืื ืฉืืืขืื ืขื ืื ืืืื ืฉืงืืจื - ืขืฅ ื ืืคื ืขืืฉื ืืืชืจ ืจืขืฉ ืืืขืจ ืฆืืื"
(You don't hear about all the good happening - negative news gets more attention)
Biblical & Traditional Idioms
36. ืืฉืคืื ืืื ืืงืืืืืก / Lishpoch mayim bakulmus
Pronunciation: leesh-POAKH MAH-yeem bah-kool-MOOS
Literal: To pour water into a sieve
Meaning: Wasted effort; pointless task.
Usage:
"ืื ืกืืช ืืฉืื ืข ืืืชื ืื ืืื ืืฉืคืื ืืื ืืงืืืืืก"
(Trying to convince him is like pouring water into a sieve)
37. ืื ืืืืืช ืืื / Yad ochezes beyad
Pronunciation: YAHD oh-KHEH-zeht beh-YAHD
Literal: Hand holding hand
Meaning: Hand in hand; together; united.
Usage:
"ืื ืื ื ืขืืืืื ืื ืืื"
(We work hand in hand)
38. ืืืืจ ื ืืฉื ืกืคืจืื / 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:
"ืืฉ ืื ืชืืืจ ืืื ืืื ืืืืจ ื ืืฉื ืกืคืจืื"
(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. ืืืืืช ืขื ืืื / 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:
"ืืื ืชืืื ืขื ืืื ืขื ืืืื ืืืืืื"
(He's always up-to-date with technology)
40. ืืขืฉืืช ืืฉืืื ื ืคืฉ / 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:
"ืืืจื ืืฉื ื ืืงืฉื ืืืืช, ืฆืจืื ืืขืฉืืช ืืฉืืื ื ืคืฉ"
(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
โ Don't: Memorize idioms as isolated phrases
โ
Do: Learn idioms with example sentences and situations
2. Start with High-Frequency Idioms
Focus on the most common expressions first:
- ืืืื ืืกืืจ (It'll be okay)
- ืื ืื ืืขืืืจ (This too shall pass)
- ืื ืฉื ืืื (Heart of gold)
- ืืื ืืื (Congratulations)
- ืืื ืขืื ืืจืข (No evil eye)
3. Watch Israeli Media
Best sources for idioms:
- ๐บ TV shows - Conversational, natural usage
- ๐ฌ Movies - Cultural context included
- ๐๏ธ Podcasts - Authentic speech patterns
- ๐ฑ Social media - Modern expressions
4. Practice with Native Speakers
๐ฌ Try using one new idiom per conversation
๐ฏ Ask Israelis to correct your usage
๐ Keep an idiom journal
5. Understand Cultural Context
Many Hebrew idioms reflect:
- ๐ Biblical and Talmudic wisdom
- ๐๏ธ Ancient Middle Eastern culture
- ๐ฎ๐ฑ Modern Israeli values
- ๐ Mediterranean worldview
Common Mistakes with Hebrew Idioms
Mistake 1: Literal Translation
โ Wrong: Translating word-for-word to English
โ
Right: Understanding the meaning, not the words
Example:
- Hebrew: "ืืื ืงื ื ืื ืืืชื" (He bought me her)
- English equivalent: "He sold me on it" (He convinced me)
Mistake 2: Using Formal Idioms Casually
โ Wrong: Using biblical idioms with friends
โ
Right: Matching idiom register to context
Example:
- Formal: "ืื ืืืืืช ืืื" (Hand holding hand)
- Casual: "ืืื" (Together) - simpler
Mistake 3: Mixing Up Similar Idioms
Common confusion:
- "ืืื ืืื" (Congratulations) vs. "ืืืฆืืื" (Good luck)
- "ืื ืื ืืขืืืจ" (This too shall pass) vs. "ืื ืฉืืื ืืื" (What's done is done)
Regional Variations
Ashkenazi vs. Sephardic Idioms
Some idioms reflect cultural origins:
From Yiddish (Ashkenazi):
- "ืฉืืืืืื" (Shlimazel - unlucky person)
- "ืืืฆืคื" (Chutzpah - audacity)
From Arabic/Ladino (Sephardic):
- "ืืืืื" (Yalla - let's go)
- "ืกืืื" (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. ืื ืื ืืขืืืจ
b. ืืื ืืื
c. ื ืคื ืขื ืืคื ืื
d. ืขืืื ืืื ืกืืก
Exercise 2: Complete the Idiom
Fill in the missing words:
- "ืืฉ ืื ืื ืฉื _____" (She has a heart of _____)
- "ืืื _____ ืขื ืืคื ืื" (He fell on his _____)
- "ืื ืื _____ ืืช ืืืื ืจืืฉ" (It's not _____ the headache)
Your 30-Day Idiom Mastery Plan
Week 1: Foundation (Days 1-7)
โ
Learn 10 most common idioms
โ
Watch one Israeli TV episode
โ
Create flashcards with context
โ
Use 2-3 idioms in conversation
Week 2: Expansion (Days 8-14)
โ
Add 10 more idioms
โ
Study cultural origins
โ
Practice with language partners
โ
Write sentences using new idioms
Week 3: Integration (Days 15-21)
โ
Learn situational usage
โ
Watch Israeli news/podcasts
โ
Try using idioms naturally
โ
Get feedback from natives
Week 4: Mastery (Days 22-30)
โ
Total of 40+ idioms learned
โ
Use idioms without thinking
โ
Understand cultural nuances
โ
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:
- ๐ฏ Start with common idioms - Build from frequently used expressions
- ๐ Learn context, not just words - Understand the meaning behind the phrase
- ๐ฃ๏ธ Practice regularly - Use idioms in real conversations
- ๐ฌ Immerse in media - Watch, listen, read
- ๐ค Get feedback - Ask natives to correct your usage
Next Steps:
Ready to sound like a native?
๐ Practice now: Conversation trainer
๐ฌ Modern slang: Israeli slang 2025
๐ Build foundation: 100 everyday phrases
๐ฏ Complete plan: 6-month study plan
ืืืื ืืกืืจ - It'll be okay! ๐ฎ๐ฑ
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 mistakesโthat's how you learn!
Last updated: November 2025
Cultural review: Native Hebrew speakers from diverse backgrounds
Next update: February 2026 with modern idioms