Essential Hebrew Phrases and Expressions to Start Using Today

Discover How Easy It Can Be to Learn Hebrew

Hebrew is an engaging and expressive language, deeply rooted in history and vibrant culture. With Israel’s significant global contributions to technology, innovation, and the arts, learning even a few basic Hebrew phrases can enrich your cultural understanding and open exciting new opportunities. Why not explore Hebrew and connect more deeply with one of the world's most fascinating countries?
At first glance, Hebrew might seem complex with its unique sentence structures and expressions. However, here's the good news: you only need to master a small portion of the language to start communicating effectively. For example, knowing around 100 common Hebrew words could allow you to understand roughly half of any written Hebrew text. That’s right—you don’t have to learn every detail of Hebrew to comfortably converse with native speakers!
The smartest way to learn Hebrew is by focusing on the most useful phrases and expressions first, gradually expanding your vocabulary from there. With every sentence you learn, you'll grow more confident and fluent. To solidify your new knowledge, practice these Hebrew phrases in real conversations. Ready to begin your Hebrew learning journey today? Let's dive into some essential phrases right now. These examples represent just a fraction of what you can learn through Mondly, the award-winning language app trusted by millions worldwide.

People learning Hebrew

Top 10 Hebrew Expressions You Must Know

We've prepared a handy list of common Hebrew expressions to help you easily start basic conversations. Ready to dive in? Let's begin!

  1. 1. בוקר טוב. = Good morning.

    Sometimes, all you need for a great start to your day is a hot coffee and a friendly greeting. "Good morning!" in Hebrew is "בוקר טוב" (boker tov).
    Now, enjoy hearing "Good morning!" from a native Hebrew speaker:

    בוקר טוב.

  2. 2. אחר הצהריים טובים. = Good afternoon.

    But what if it's later in the day and you want to greet someone politely? In Hebrew, "Good afternoon!" is "צהריים טובים" (tzohorayim tovim).
    Listen now to a native Hebrew speaker pronounce it clearly:

    אחר הצהריים טובים.

  3. 3. השם שלי הוא מונדלי. = My name is Mondly.

    Let’s say your name is Mondly, and you meet someone on the streets of Tel Aviv. You can introduce yourself by saying "קוראים לי מונדלי" (kor'im li Mondly), meaning "My name is Mondly."
    Here's exactly how a fluent Hebrew speaker would pronounce this phrase:

    השם שלי הוא מונדלי.

  4. 4. נעים מאוד. = I'm pleased to meet you.

    After introducing yourself, a Hebrew speaker might respond with "נעים להכיר אותך" (na'im lehakir otcha), meaning "I'm pleased to meet you."
    Hear exactly how a native Hebrew speaker would say this phrase:

    נעים מאוד.

  5. 5. מה נשמע? = How are you?

    At this point in your conversation, it might be polite to ask your Hebrew-speaking partner, "מה שלומך?" (ma shlomcha? - "How are you?").
    It's easy to pronounce. Here's how a native Hebrew speaker says it:

    מה נשמע?

  6. 6. טוב, תודה. ואתה? = Fine, thanks. And you?

    If a Hebrew speaker asks you first how you're doing, here’s how you can respond politely. Follow this simple courtesy everywhere you go in Israel, and you'll find doors happily opening for you.
    Listen closely as a fluent speaker shows you how it's done:

    טוב, תודה. ואתה?

  7. 7. אני רוצה בירה. = I’d like a beer.

    If you find yourself in a café or restaurant in Israel, knowing how to order a beer in Hebrew will come in handy.
    Let a native Hebrew speaker demonstrate exactly how to order a beer like a local:

    אני רוצה בירה.

  8. 8. אני מצטער. = I'm sorry.

    Sometimes, the item you ordered isn't available. In such situations, the bartender might apologize by saying "סליחה" (slicha - "I'm sorry") in Hebrew.
    Hear how it sounds from a native Hebrew speaker:

    אני מצטער.

  9. 9. נתראה בקרוב! = See you soon!

    A common way to say ""See you soon"" in Hebrew, particularly to colleagues when you’ll meet them the next day, is ""נתראה מחר"" (nit-ra-eh machar, ""see you tomorrow""). It's professional, friendly, and frequently used in workplaces across Israel.
    Enjoy listening to a native Hebrew speaker pronounce this phrase clearly:

    נתראה בקרוב!

  10. 10. להתראות. = Goodbye.

    Let's finish with a polite and friendly phrase to wrap up any pleasant conversation—another way of saying "Goodbye" in Hebrew.
    Here’s how a native Hebrew speaker would pronounce it for you:

    להתראות.

Why Should You Learn Hebrew?

Hebrew landmark

Let’s explore some of the shortest complete phrases in Hebrew. One of the simplest is "לך!" (lech!), meaning "Go!", which is used to prompt immediate action or movement. Another brief yet meaningful Hebrew sentence is "זה אני" (ze ani), translating to "It's me." This phrase is useful when confirming your identity or responding when someone calls your name. Hebrew also has uniquely concise expressions such as "מה?" (ma?) meaning "What?", commonly used for clarification, and "היי!" (hai!), a casual greeting similar to "Hi!"

Hebrew landmark

Practical Tips for Learning Hebrew Words and Expressions

Enhance Your Cognitive Skills by Learning Hebrew

Learning Hebrew isn't just rewarding—it also sharpens your mind. Your brain will rapidly form new connections, improving memory and cognitive skills. Soon, you'll realize that starting your Hebrew journey was one of the smartest decisions you've ever made.

Become Fluent in Hebrew Faster

Once you’ve learned a few essential Hebrew phrases, you'll be ready for your first conversation. Mondly creates authentic experiences that mimic real-life interactions, quickly helping you gain confidence speaking Hebrew in everyday scenarios.

Undesrtand Hebrew Expressions Quicker

We start with fundamental Hebrew expressions and build progressively toward more complex sentences. With Mondly’s structured approach, your Hebrew fluency improves rapidly, empowering you to communicate confidently in less time than you ever imagined.

Discover How Easy Learning Hebrew Can Be

Language learning should always begin simply and progress logically. Mondly embraces this core principle, starting with easy, everyday Hebrew phrases so you can quickly build confidence. Each lesson smoothly transitions from basic concepts to advanced skills, ensuring your Hebrew learning experience is both enjoyable and effective.

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