“Shalom” and More Essential Hebrew Phrases
Blog
16 May 2023
By Sarah Angela Almaden
Unsplash: Ekaterina Shakharova
The most common spoken form of Hebrew that we are familiar with today is known as Modern Hebrew. The language is spoken by about 9 million people worldwide and is an official language of the State of Israel. Interestingly, it is also recognized as a minority language in Poland.
Even though Hebrew plays an essential part in Judaism, it is the go-to language for casual conversations in Israel and Hebrew-speaking communities worldwide. Many of these communities also speak English, but Hebrew remains a core part of their culture.
Check out this list of simple Hebrew phrases to get an insight into the language.
Basic Hebrew Phrases
- Hello / Bye: Shalom (שלום)
- Thank you: Todah (תודה)
- Thank you very much: Toda raba (תודה רבה)
- You’re welcome / Please: Bevakasha (בבקשה)
- Good morning: Boker tov (בוקר טוב)
- Good night: Laila tov (לילה טוב)
- How are you: Ma shlom kha (מה שלומך)
- Yes: Ken (כן) / No: Lo (לא)
- Excuse me: Slicha (סליחה)
- What’s up: Ma nishma (מה נשמע)
- Congratulations: Mazel tov (מזל טוב)
- Where’s the restroom: Eifo hasherutim (איפה השירותים)
Random Hebrew Vocabulary
- Water: Mayim (מים)
- Money: Kesef (כסף)
- Dog: Kelev (כלב) / Cat: Khatul (חתול)
- Mom: Ima (אימא) / Dad: Aba (אבא)
- Grandfather: Saba (סבא) / Grandmother: Savta (סבתא)


