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Essential Hebrew Phrases for Traveling in Israel

By Elisahar, native Hebrew speaker 5 min readUpdated November 4, 2026

Quick answer

With about 20 phrases you can handle most travel situations in Israel: shalom (hello), toda (thank you), bevakasha (please), slicha (excuse me / sorry), kama ze ole? (how much is it?) and eifo…? (where is…?). Many Israelis speak English, but a few words of Hebrew are warmly appreciated.

Tap the speaker next to a Hebrew word to hear it. Words without a native recording yet use your device’s Hebrew voice.

Greetings and basics

English	Hebrew	Say it
Hello / goodbye	שלום	shalom
Thank you	תודה	toda
Please / you’re welcome	בבקשה	bevakasha
Excuse me / sorry	סליחה	slicha
Yes / no	כן / לא	ken / lo
Do you speak English?	אתה מדבר אנגלית? / את מדברת אנגלית?	ata medaber anglit? (to a man) / at medaberet anglit? (to a woman)
I don’t understand	אני לא מבין / מבינה	ani lo mevin (man) / mevina (woman)

Food, shopping and money

English	Hebrew	Say it
How much is it?	כמה זה עולה?	kama ze ole?
The check, please	אפשר חשבון?	efshar cheshbon?
I would like…	אני רוצה…	ani rotze… (man) / ani rotza… (woman)
Water	מים	mayim
Coffee	קפה	kafe
Can I pay by card?	אפשר לשלם באשראי?	efshar leshalem be-ashrai?

Getting around

English	Hebrew	Say it
Where is…?	איפה…?	eifo…?
To … please (in a taxi)	ל… בבקשה	le… bevakasha
Please turn on the meter	תפעיל מונה בבקשה	tafil mone bevakasha
Left / right / straight	שמאלה / ימינה / ישר	smola / yamina / yashar
Bus station	תחנת אוטובוס	tachanat otobus

Emergencies and useful tips

Help! – עזרה! (ezra!)
I need a doctor – אני צריך / צריכה רופא (ani tzarich / tzricha rofe)
Emergency numbers in Israel: 100 police, 101 ambulance (Magen David Adom), 102 fire
Hebrew verbs change by gender: men say mevin, rotze, tzarich, women say mevina, rotza, tzricha.
On Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening) many shops and most public transport stop. Greet people with "Shabbat shalom".