Language/Hebrew/Vocabulary/Greetings

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Hebrew → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Everyday Hebrew Vocabulary → Greetings

Introduction

In this lesson, we will learn basic Hebrew greetings and responses to use in everyday conversation. Greetings are an essential part of any language, as they help to establish connections and create a friendly atmosphere. By mastering these greetings, you will be able to greet people in Hebrew with confidence and start conversations on the right foot. Throughout this lesson, we will provide numerous examples and practice scenarios to ensure that you understand and can apply what you learn. So let's dive in and discover the fascinating world of Hebrew greetings!

Greetings in Hebrew

Hebrew greetings are an integral part of Israeli culture and social interactions. When meeting someone, it is customary to greet them politely, using specific phrases and expressions. These greetings can vary depending on the time of day and the level of formality. Let's explore some of the most common Hebrew greetings and their appropriate usage:

Good Morning

The Hebrew phrase for "Good Morning" is "בוקר טוב" (boker tov). This greeting is used to wish someone a good morning and is typically used until around noon. It is a polite and formal way to start the day and can be used in both personal and professional settings. Here are some examples:

Hebrew	Pronunciation	English
בוקר טוב	boker tov	Good morning
בוקר טוב, איך הייתה הלילה?	boker tov, eych haya halaila?	Good morning, how was your night?
בוקר טוב, מה נשמע?	boker tov, mah nishma?	Good morning, what's up?

Good Afternoon

To greet someone in the afternoon, you can say "צהריים טובים" (tsohorayim tovim). This phrase is used to wish someone a good afternoon and can be used until evening. It is a polite and formal greeting that can be used in various contexts. Here are some examples:

Hebrew	Pronunciation	English
צהריים טובים	tsohorayim tovim	Good afternoon
צהריים טובים, איך היה לך היום?	tsohorayim tovim, eych haya lecha hayom?	Good afternoon, how was your day?
צהריים טובים, מה תעשה הערב?	tsohorayim tovim, mah ta'aseh ha'erev?	Good afternoon, what will you do this evening?

Good Evening

In the evening, the appropriate greeting is "ערב טוב" (erev tov). This phrase is used to wish someone a good evening and is commonly used after sunset. It is a polite and formal greeting that can be used in various situations. Here are some examples:

Hebrew	Pronunciation	English
ערב טוב	erev tov	Good evening
ערב טוב, איך היה לך היום?	erev tov, eych haya lecha hayom?	Good evening, how was your day?
ערב טוב, מה תעשה הערב?	erev tov, mah ta'aseh ha'erev?	Good evening, what will you do tonight?

Good Night

Before going to bed or saying goodbye for the night, you can use the phrase "לילה טוב" (laila tov) to wish someone a good night. It is a polite and formal way to end the day and can be used in both personal and professional settings. Here are some examples:

Hebrew	Pronunciation	English
לילה טוב	laila tov	Good night
לילה טוב, שיהיה לך חלומות יפים	laila tov, sheyihiye lecha chalomot yafim	Good night, may you have sweet dreams
לילה טוב, נתראה מחר	laila tov, nitr'eh machar	Good night, see you tomorrow

Cultural Insight

In Israeli culture, greetings are an essential part of everyday interactions. Israelis are known for their warmth and friendliness, and greetings play a significant role in establishing connections and expressing respect. It is common to greet friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers with a smile and a friendly greeting. Israelis value personal connections and often engage in small talk before getting into the main topic of conversation. Learning Hebrew greetings will not only help you communicate effectively but also show your respect for Israeli culture and customs.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have learned some basic Hebrew greetings, it's time to practice using them in different scenarios. Here are some exercises to help you solidify your understanding and apply what you have learned:

Exercise 1: Match the Greeting Match each Hebrew greeting with its corresponding English translation.

Hebrew	English
בוקר טוב	Good morning
צהריים טובים	Good afternoon
ערב טוב	Good evening
לילה טוב	Good night

Solution:

Hebrew	English
בוקר טוב	Good morning
צהריים טובים	Good afternoon
ערב טוב	Good evening
לילה טוב	Good night

Exercise 2: Create Conversations Using the greetings you have learned, create short conversations between two people. Be creative and include different times of day and scenarios.

Solution: 1. A: בוקר טוב, איך היה לך הלילה?

  B: בוקר טוב, מצוין! הלילה מאוד מרגיע.
  

2. A: ערב טוב, מה נשמע?

  B: ערב טוב, כל הכבוד! עבדתי קשה היום.
  

3. A: צהריים טובים, איך היה לך היום?

  B: צהריים טובים, תודה! נהניתי מים עם החברים.
  

4. A: לילה טוב, שיהיה לך חלומות יפים.

  B: לילה טוב, תודה! אני מקווה לחלום על ים.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have learned some basic Hebrew greetings and how to use them in everyday conversations. Greetings are an essential part of any language, and mastering them will help you connect with others and create a friendly atmosphere. Remember to practice using these greetings in different scenarios to enhance your fluency and confidence. Keep up the great work, and continue exploring the fascinating world of Hebrew language and culture.

Table of Contents - Hebrew Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Hebrew Alphabet

• Consonants
• Vowels
• Nikkud
• Reading Practice

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Everyday Hebrew Vocabulary

• Greetings
• Numbers
• Family Members
• Colors, Shapes, and Sizes
• Food and Drink
• Clothing
• Transportation and Travel
• Weather
• Time and Calendar

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Hebrew Grammar

• Nouns
• Pronouns
• Adjectives
• Verbs
• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Israeli Culture

• Jewish Holidays
• Israeli Society
• Famous Israelis
• Israeli Cuisine

  ---

Hebrew Expressions

• Common Phrases
• Slang
• Idioms

  ---

Hebrew Numbers

• Ordinal Numbers
• Fractions and Decimals

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Hebrew Geography and Landmarks

• Cities and Regions
• Landmarks

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Hebrew Literature and Language

• Hebrew Poetry
• Hebrew Proverbs

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Grammar Review

• Review of Nouns and Pronouns
• Review of Adjectives
• Review of Verbs

Sources

• Common Hebrew Words and Phrases - Jewish Federation of ...
• How to Say Hello in Hebrew: Guide to Hebrew Greetings
• 100 Basic Hebrew Phrases - Teach Me Hebrew

Other Lessons

• Count to 10
• Days eymeym ימים
• At the Post Office
• Geography
• Idiomatic Expressions
• City
• Cities and Regions
• Directions
• Numbers
• Weather

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