Learning Hebrew: a practical guide
This is a written companion to the free Hebrew course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.
What Hebrew is like
Hebrew is written and read right to left. Most vowels aren't written — you learn to read word shapes and context. A letter changes shape at the end of a word (the "final forms" like ך), which is why כ and ך are the same sound in different positions. The good news: once you know a word's sounds, spelling is very consistent.
Words you may already know
Pronunciation notes
Hebrew is written and read right to left, and it uses a few guttural sounds English doesn't have. The letters below are your keys — learn them and you can sound out almost any word.
- א — aleph — usually silent or a slight catch in the throat; the "ah" you hear is the vowel, not the letter, as in אני = a-NI (I).
- ח — chet — a deep "ch" from the throat, like the Scottish "loch", as in חלב = cha-LAV (milk).
- ע — ayin — a deep guttural sound from the very back of the throat, unique to Hebrew, as in ערב = E-rev (evening).
- ר — resh — a guttural rolled r, softer and from the back of the mouth, as in רוח = RU-ach (wind).
- כ (ך) — kaf — a hard "k", but at the end of a word it softens to "ch" like loch (the final form ך), as in מלך = ME-lech (king).
- ש — shin — "sh" when the dot is on the right, "s" when it's on the left, as in שלום = sha-LOM (hello) · שמש = SHE-mesh (sun).
- ה — heh — a soft "h"; often silent at the end of a word, as in בוקר = BO-ker (morning) · היא = hi (she).
- צ — tsadi — "ts" as in "cats", as in צדק = TSE-dek (justice).
First phrases
The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| שלום | sha-LOM | Hello |
| בוקר טוב | BO-ker tov | Good morning |
| ערב טוב | E-rev tov | Good evening |
| להתראות | le-hit-RA-ot | Goodbye |
| מה שלומך? | ma shlom-KHA | How are you? |
| תודה | to-DA | Thank you |
| תודה רבה | to-DA ra-BA | Thank you very much |
| בבקשה | be-va-ka-SHA | Please / you're welcome |
| סליחה | sli-KHA | Sorry / excuse me |
| כן | ken | Yes |
| לא | lo | No |
| אחת | a-CHAT | 1 |
| שתיים | sh-ta-YIM | 2 |
| שלוש | sha-LOSH | 3 |
| ארבע | ar-BA | 4 |
| חמש | cha-MESH | 5 |
| עשר | E-ser | 10 |
| מים | ma-YIM | water |
| לחם | LE-chem | bread |
| קפה | ka-FE | coffee |
| תה | te | tea |
| חשבון | chesh-BON | the bill |
| איפה...? | ei-FO | Where is...? |
| ימינה | yami-NA | to the right |
| שמאלה | smol-A | to the left |
| ישר | ya-SHAR | straight ahead |
| תחנה | tacha-NA | the station |
| כמה עולה? | ka-MA o-LE | How much is it? |
| אני רוצה | a-NI ro-TSE | I want |
| זה | ze | this |
How the Hebrew course is structured
The course has 16 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:
- Greetings & being polite — שלום · בוקר טוב · ערב טוב · להתראות
- Polite phrases — תודה · בבקשה · סליחה · כן / לא
- Numbers 1–10 — אחת · שתיים · שלוש · עשר
- I want" — אני רוצה — אני רוצה · מים · קפה · לחם
- Food & drink — מים · לחם · קפה · חשבון
- Getting around — איפה · ימינה · שמאלה · ישר
- Questions & "do you have…?" — יש לך · כמה · מתי · איפה
- Family & people — משפחה · אמא · אבא · יש לי
- Time, days & weather — היום · מחר · מה מזג האוויר?
- Small talk & your name — קוראים לי · איך קוראים לך? · נעים מאוד
- Health & emergency — עזרה · רופא · אני לא מבין
- Tying it together — שלום · אני רוצה · איפה · כמה עולה?
- Airport & tickets — נמל תעופה · דרכון · כרטיס · שער
- The taxi — מונית · לנסוע · מלון · עצור כאן
- The hotel — הזמנה · חדר · מפתח · לילה
- Ask for help — אני לא מבין · לאט יותר · אנגלית
Inside the lessons
Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.
Greetings & being polite
Key pieces: שלום · בוקר טוב · ערב טוב · להתראות
Let's start with the most famous Hebrew word: שלום — hello, goodbye and peace, all in one. Say it out loud.
- שלום (sha-LOM) — hello / goodbye Memory hook: ≈ Arabic salām (peace).
- בוקר טוב (BO-ker tov) — good morning
- ערב טוב (E-rev tov) — good evening
- להתראות (le-hit-RA-ot) — goodbye / see you
- מה שלומך? (ma shlom-KHA) — how are you?
To say “Hello, how are you?” in Hebrew: שלום, מה שלומך? (sha-LOM, ma shlom-KHA). Built from שלום = hello; מה שלומך? = how are you?.
טוב means good. Add it to time words to greet people: בוקר טוב (good morning), ערב טוב (good evening).
- טוב (tov) — good
- בוקר (BO-ker) — morning
- ערב (E-rev) — evening
To say “Good morning!” in Hebrew: בוקר טוב! (BO-ker tov). Built from בוקר = morning; טוב = good.
To say “Goodbye!” in Hebrew: להתראות! (le-hit-RA-ot). Built from להתראות = goodbye / see you later.
Polite phrases
Key pieces: תודה · בבקשה · סליחה · כן / לא
The two magic words: תודה (thank you) and בבקשה (please / you're welcome).
- תודה (to-DA) — thank you
- תודה רבה (to-DA ra-BA) — thank you very much
- בבקשה (be-va-ka-SHA) — please / you're welcome
- סליחה (sli-KHA) — sorry / excuse me
To say “Thank you very much!” in Hebrew: תודה רבה! (to-DA ra-BA). Built from תודה = thank you; רבה = a lot / much.
To say sorry or excuse me, use סליחה . Handy on a busy street or in a crowd.
To say “Excuse me, please” in Hebrew: סליחה, בבקשה (sli-KHA, be-va-ka-SHA). Built from סליחה = excuse me; בבקשה = please.
Yes is כן , no is לא . Two tiny words that answer most questions.
- כן (ken) — yes
- לא (lo) — no
To say “Yes, thank you” in Hebrew: כן, תודה (ken, to-DA). Built from כן = yes; תודה = thank you.
Numbers 1–10
Key pieces: אחת · שתיים · שלוש · עשר
Numbers are the fastest win. Listen and repeat: אחת, שתיים, שלוש .
- אחת (a-CHAT) — 1
- שתיים (sh-ta-YIM) — 2
- שלוש (sha-LOSH) — 3
- ארבע (ar-BA) — 4
- חמש (cha-MESH) — 5
- עשר (E-ser) — 10
To say “Two coffees, please” in Hebrew: שתי קפה, בבקשה (shtay ka-FE, be-va-ka-SHA). Built from שתי = two; קפה = coffee; בבקשה = please.
Money questions come next: כמה עולה? = how much is it?
To say “How much is it?” in Hebrew: כמה עולה? (ka-MA o-LE). Built from כמה = how much; עולה = does it cost.
To say “It's five shekels” in Hebrew: חמישה שקלים (cha-mi-SHA shka-LIM). Built from חמישה = five; שקלים = shekels (money).
I want" — אני רוצה
Key pieces: אני רוצה · מים · קפה · לחם
To ask for almost anything: אני רוצה — I want. Say it out loud.
אני = I, and רוצה = want (masculine form). Add the thing you want right after.
To say “I want water” in Hebrew: אני רוצה מים (a-NI ro-TSE ma-YIM). Built from אני = I; רוצה = want; מים = water.
To say “I want coffee” in Hebrew: אני רוצה קפה (a-NI ro-TSE ka-FE). Built from אני = I; רוצה = want; קפה = coffee.
Softening it with בבקשה (please) turns a demand into a polite request.
To say “I want bread, please” in Hebrew: אני רוצה לחם, בבקשה (a-NI ro-TSE LE-chem, be-va-ka-SHA). Built from אני רוצה = I want; לחם = bread; בבקשה = please.
Food & drink
Key pieces: מים · לחם · קפה · חשבון
Eating out? Key words: מים (water), לחם (bread), קפה (coffee).
- מים (ma-YIM) — water Memory hook: ≈ Arabic mā (water).
- לחם (LE-chem) — bread
- קפה (ka-FE) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ English coffee (from Turkish kahve).
- תה (te) — tea Memory hook: ≈ English tea.
- יין (ya-YIN) — wine Memory hook: ≈ English wine (ancient shared root).
To say “Coffee and tea, please” in Hebrew: קפה ותה, בבקשה (ka-FE ve-TE, be-va-ka-SHA). Built from קפה = coffee; ו + תה = and tea; בבקשה = please.
To get the menu, ask for תפריט . The bill is חשבון .
- תפריט (taf-RIT) — the menu
- חשבון (chesh-BON) — the bill
To say “I want the bill, please” in Hebrew: אני רוצה את החשבון, בבקשה (a-NI ro-TSE et ha-chesh-BON, be-va-ka-SHA). Built from אני רוצה = I want; את החשבון = the bill; בבקשה = please.
To say “It's delicious!” in Hebrew: טעים מאוד! (ta'IM me'OD). Built from טעים = tasty / delicious; מאוד = very.
Getting around
Key pieces: איפה · ימינה · שמאלה · ישר
The most useful question in any city: איפה…? — where is…?
- איפה...? (ei-FO) — Where is...?
- ימינה (yami-NA) — to the right
- שמאלה (smol-A) — to the left
- ישר (ya-SHAR) — straight ahead
- תחנה (tacha-NA) — the station
To say “Where is the station?” in Hebrew: איפה התחנה? (ei-FO ha-tacha-NA). Built from איפה = where; התחנה = the station.
To say “Where is the bathroom?” in Hebrew: איפה השירותים? (ei-FO ha-she-ru-TIM). Built from איפה = where; השירותים = the toilets / bathroom.
ימינה and שמאלה tell you which way to turn. Straight ahead is ישר .
To say “Straight ahead, please” in Hebrew: ישר, בבקשה (ya-SHAR, be-va-ka-SHA). Built from ישר = straight ahead; בבקשה = please.
Questions & "do you have…?"
Key pieces: יש לך · כמה · מתי · איפה
To ask if someone has something: יש לך…? — do you have…?
יש = there is / have, and לך = to you. So יש לך literally means "there is to you." Add the item after.
To say “Do you have coffee?” in Hebrew: יש לך קפה? (yesh le-KHA ka-FE). Built from יש לך = do you have; קפה = coffee.
To say “Do you have a menu?” in Hebrew: יש לך תפריט? (yesh le-KHA taf-RIT). Built from יש לך = do you have; תפריט = menu.
Question words: כמה (how much), איפה (where), מתי (when), למה (why).
- כמה (ka-MA) — how much
- איפה (ei-FO) — where
- מתי (ma-TAI) — when
- למה (la-MA) — why
To say “Is there a pharmacy here?” in Hebrew: יש כאן בית מרקחת? (yesh kan beit mer-ka-CHAT). Built from יש = there is; כאן = here; בית מרקחת = pharmacy.
Family & people
Key pieces: משפחה · אמא · אבא · יש לי
Family words: משפחה (family), אמא (mother), אבא (father).
- משפחה (mish-pa-CHA) — family
- אמא (i-MA) — mother Memory hook: ≈ Arabic umm (mother).
- אבא (a-BA) — father Memory hook: ≈ Arabic ab (father).
- אח (ach) — brother Memory hook: ≈ Arabic akh (brother).
- אחות (a-CHOT) — sister Memory hook: ≈ Arabic ukht (sister).
- חבר (cha-VER) — friend
To say "I have", Hebrew flips it around: יש לי = "there is to me." No word for "have" — just יש לי .
To say “I have a friend” in Hebrew: יש לי חבר (yesh li cha-VER). Built from יש לי = I have; חבר = friend.
To say “I have a family” in Hebrew: יש לי משפחה (yesh li mish-pa-CHA). Built from יש לי = I have; משפחה = family.
To say “I have a brother” in Hebrew: יש לי אח (yesh li ach). Built from יש לי = I have; אח = brother.
Time, days & weather
Key pieces: היום · מחר · מה מזג האוויר?
Today is היום , tomorrow is מחר , and now is עכשיו .
- היום (ha-YOM) — today
- מחר (ma-CHAR) — tomorrow
- עכשיו (ach-SHAV) — now
- חם (cham) — hot Memory hook: ≈ Arabic ḥārr (hot).
- קר (kar) — cold
To say “See you tomorrow” in Hebrew: להתראות מחר (le-hit-RA-ot ma-CHAR). Built from להתראות = see you; מחר = tomorrow.
Ask about the weather: מה מזג האוויר?
To say “What's the weather?” in Hebrew: מה מזג האוויר? (ma ME-zeg ha-a-VIR). Built from מה = what; מזג האוויר = the weather.
To say “It's hot!” in Hebrew: חם! (cham). Built from חם = hot.
Small talk & your name
Key pieces: קוראים לי · איך קוראים לך? · נעים מאוד
Introduce yourself: קוראים לי… = my name is…, literally "they call me…"
To say “My name is Alex” in Hebrew: קוראים לי Alex (ko-rim li Alex). Built from קוראים לי = my name is; Alex = your name.
To ask someone's name: איך קוראים לך?
To say “What's your name?” in Hebrew: איך קוראים לך? (EICH ko-rim le-KHA). Built from איך = how; קוראים לך = do they call you?.
נעים מאוד = pleased to meet you. The standard reply after exchanging names.
To say “Pleased to meet you” in Hebrew: נעים מאוד (na'IM me'OD). Built from נעים = pleasant; מאוד = very.
Health & emergency
Key pieces: עזרה · רופא · אני לא מבין
The most important word if you need help: עזרה — help. Say it clearly and loudly.
- עזרה (ez-RA) — help!
- רופא (ro-FE) — doctor
- בית חולים (beit cho-LIM) — hospital
- בית מרקחת (beit mer-ka-CHAT) — pharmacy
- אני לא מבין (a-NI lo me-VIN) — I don't understand
To say “Help!” in Hebrew: עזרה! (ez-RA). Built from עזרה = help.
To say “I need a doctor” in Hebrew: אני צריך רופא (a-NI tza-RICH ro-FE). Built from אני צריך = I need; רופא = doctor.
To say you don't understand: אני לא מבין .
To say “I don't understand” in Hebrew: אני לא מבין (a-NI lo me-VIN). Built from אני = I; לא = not; מבין = understand.
To say “It hurts” in Hebrew: כואב לי (ko-EV li). Built from כואב = it hurts; לי = to me.
Tying it together
Key pieces: שלום · אני רוצה · איפה · כמה עולה?
Great — you've built a real toolbox. This capstone uses only words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing.
To say “Hello, how are you?” in Hebrew: שלום, מה שלומך? (sha-LOM, ma shlom-KHA). Built from שלום = hello; מה שלומך? = how are you?.
To say “I want a coffee, please” in Hebrew: אני רוצה קפה, בבקשה (a-NI ro-TSE ka-FE, be-va-ka-SHA). Built from אני רוצה = I want; קפה = coffee; בבקשה = please.
To say “Where is the station?” in Hebrew: איפה התחנה? (ei-FO ha-tacha-NA). Built from איפה = where; התחנה = the station.
To say “How much is it?” in Hebrew: כמה עולה? (ka-MA o-LE). Built from כמה עולה? = how much is it?.
Airport & tickets
Key pieces: נמל תעופה · דרכון · כרטיס · שער
You have landed. The building is the נמל תעופה . Your document is a דרכון .
- נמל תעופה (ne-MAL te-u-FA) — airport
- דרכון (dar-KON) — passport
- כרטיס (kar-TIS) — ticket
- טיסה (ti-SA) — flight
- שער (SHA-ar) — gate
To say “Where is the airport?” in Hebrew: איפה נמל התעופה? (ei-FO ne-MAL ha-te-u-FA). Built from איפה = where; נמל התעופה = the airport.
To say “Here is my passport” in Hebrew: הנה הדרכון שלי (hi-NE ha-dar-KON she-LI). Built from הנה = here is; הדרכון שלי = my passport.
To say “A ticket, please” in Hebrew: כרטיס, בבקשה (kar-TIS, be-va-ka-SHA). Built from כרטיס = ticket; בבקשה = please.
To say “Where is the gate?” in Hebrew: איפה השער? (ei-FO ha-SHA-ar). Built from איפה = where; השער = the gate.
The taxi
Key pieces: מונית · לנסוע · מלון · עצור כאן
The driver is waiting. מונית is a taxi. Tell them where to go with אני רוצה לנסוע .
- מונית (mo-NIT) — taxi
- נהג (na-HAG) — driver
- אני רוצה לנסוע (a-NI ro-TSE li-NSO-a) — I want to go
- עצור כאן (a-TZOR kan) — stop here
To say “Taxi, please” in Hebrew: מונית, בבקשה (mo-NIT, be-va-ka-SHA). Built from מונית = taxi; בבקשה = please.
To say “I want to go to the hotel” in Hebrew: אני רוצה לנסוע למלון (a-NI ro-TSE li-NSO-a la-ma-LON). Built from אני רוצה = I want; לנסוע = travel; למלון = to the hotel.
To say “Stop here, please” in Hebrew: עצור כאן, בבקשה (a-TZOR kan, be-va-ka-SHA). Built from עצור = stop; כאן = here; בבקשה = please.
To say “How much is it?” in Hebrew: כמה עולה? (ka-MA o-LE). Built from כמה = how much; עולה = does it cost.
The hotel
Key pieces: הזמנה · חדר · מפתח · לילה
At the desk: יש לי הזמנה — I have a reservation.
- מלון (ma-LON) — hotel
- הזמנה (haz-ma-NA) — reservation
- חדר (CHE-der) — room
- מפתח (maf-TE-ach) — key
- לילה אחד (LAI-la e-CHAD) — one night
To say “I have a reservation” in Hebrew: יש לי הזמנה (yesh li haz-ma-NA). Built from יש לי = I have; הזמנה = reservation.
To say “A room for one night, please” in Hebrew: חדר ללילה אחד, בבקשה (CHE-der le-LAI-la e-CHAD, be-va-ka-SHA). Built from חדר = room; ללילה אחד = for one night; בבקשה = please.
To say “The key, please” in Hebrew: את המפתח, בבקשה (et ha-maf-TE-ach, be-va-ka-SHA). Built from את המפתח = the key; בבקשה = please.
To say “Where is my room?” in Hebrew: איפה החדר שלי? (ei-FO ha-CHE-der she-LI). Built from איפה = where; החדר שלי = my room.
Ask for help
Key pieces: אני לא מבין · לאט יותר · אנגלית
When the language is too fast: לאט יותר, בבקשה — slower, please.
- לאט יותר (le-AT yo-TER) — slower
- שוב (shuv) — again
- אנגלית (ang-LIT) — English
- אתה יכול לעזור? (a-TA ya-CHOL la-a-ZOR) — can you help?
To say “I don't understand” in Hebrew: אני לא מבין (a-NI lo me-VIN). Built from אני = I; לא = not; מבין = understand.
To say “Slower, please” in Hebrew: לאט יותר, בבקשה (le-AT yo-TER, be-va-ka-SHA). Built from לאט יותר = slower; בבקשה = please.
To say “Can you help me?” in Hebrew: אתה יכול לעזור לי? (a-TA ya-CHOL la-a-ZOR li). Built from אתה יכול = can you; לעזור = help; לי = me.
To say “Do you speak English?” in Hebrew: אתה מדבר אנגלית? (a-TA me-da-BER ang-LIT). Built from אתה מדבר = do you speak; אנגלית = English.
Culture and etiquette
Shabbat
From Friday evening to Saturday evening is Shabbat, the day of rest. Many shops, cafés and transport close — plan ahead. Signalling "shabbat shalom" as a greeting is a warm touch.
Kosher food
Kosher rules keep meat and dairy separate and forbid pork and shellfish. Many cafés or restaurants are kosher; when in doubt, ask "האם זה כשר?" (is it kosher?).
Right to left
Hebrew is written and read right to left, and vowels are often left out. It looks intimidating at first, but the letter sounds are very consistent once you learn them.
Hummus & falafel
Street food is everywhere and often excellent — hummus, falafel and shawarma in a pita. It's cheap, fast and a perfect way to practise a few words at the counter.
Direct & warm
Israelis speak plainly and skip formality. A quick "toda" and a smile go a long way. What can feel blunt is just a warm, direct style — not rudeness.
"Sababa!"
Sababa means "cool", "great" or "no problem" — a cheerful everyday word you'll hear constantly. A little slang like this makes locals light up.
Example dialogues
At a café
You: שלום, אני רוצה קפה, בבקשה. (sha-LOM, a-NI ro-TSE ka-FE, be-va-ka-SHA) — Hello, I want a coffee, please.
Barista: לשתות כאן או לקחת? (le-sh-TOT kan o le-ka-CHAT?) — For here or to go?
You: לקחת, תודה. (le-ka-CHAT, to-DA) — To go, thanks.
Barista: הנה. עשרה שקלים. (hi-NE, a-SA-ra shka-LIM) — Here. Ten shekels.
You: תודה רבה! (to-DA ra-BA) — Thank you very much!
At the train station
You: סליחה, איפה התחנה? (sli-KHA, ei-FO ha-tacha-NA) — Excuse me, where's the station?
Local: שם, ימינה. (sham, yami-NA) — It's there, on the right.
You: תודה. כרטיס לתל אביב, בבקשה. (to-DA, kar-TIS le-Tel-av-EEV, be-va-ka-SHA) — Thanks. A ticket to Tel Aviv, please.
Clerk: עשרה שקלים. הרכבת בשמונה. (a-SA-ra shka-LIM, ha-ra-KE-vet b'shmo-NA) — Ten shekels. The train is at eight.
At a restaurant
Waiter: ערב טוב! האם יש לכם הזמנה? (E-rev tov, ha-IM yesh la-KHEM ha-zma-NA?) — Good evening! Do you have a reservation?
You: כן, לשניים. (ken, la-shna-YIM) — Yes, for two.
You: תפריט, בבקשה. (taf-RIT, be-va-ka-SHA) — The menu, please.
You: אני רוצה פסטה ויין. (a-NI ro-TSE PA-sta ve YA-yin) — I'd like the pasta and a wine.
Waiter: בחירה מצוינת! בתיאבון. (bchi-RA met-su-YE-net, be-te-a-VON) — Excellent choice! Enjoy your meal.
Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.