אֲנִי רוֹצֶה קָפֶה, בְּבַקָּשָׁה.
ani rotse kafe bevakasha
I want coffee, please
A simple café order. Choose the form for the speaker; “please” softens the direct request.
Said by
A little Hebrew for everyday life
Useful Hebrew Phrases for Beginners
Say hello. Order a coffee. Ask for a little help. Start with 30 practical Modern Hebrew expressions, with English meanings and pronunciation support.
Read it. Understand it. Use it.
How to use this phrase guide
Hebrew with nikud
The dots and marks around the Hebrew letters are nikud, which help show vowel sounds. Understand Hebrew vowel marks.
[Transliteration]
Transliteration is an approximation: sh as in “shoe”, ts as in “cats”, and kh for a sound like the ending of Scottish “loch”. An apostrophe separates vowel sounds.
English meaning
Follow the meaning, so you know what you are saying.
Usage note
The situation the phrase fits, so you know when to use it.
Said by / Said to
“Said by” is the person saying the phrase; “Said to” is the person you are speaking to. These examples address one person.
30 expressions. Plenty of small beginnings.
Everyday Hebrew phrases
Choose a situation and learn a few phrases you can put to use.
Greetings and introductions
Start a conversation, introduce yourself, or say goodbye.
שָׁלוֹם
shalom
Hello / goodbye
A simple greeting when you meet someone. The same word can also be used when leaving.
בֹּקֶר טוֹב
boker tov
Good morning
Greet someone in the morning, at a café, at work, or at the start of a conversation.
עֶרֶב טוֹב
erev tov
Good evening
Use this as an evening greeting, rather than as a good-night farewell.
לְהִתְרָאוֹת
lehitra'ot
Goodbye / see you
Say this when you are leaving. It is a farewell, not a first greeting.
שְׁמִי…
shmi…
My name is…
Add your name after the phrase. The dots mark the place for your name; do not read them aloud.
אֵיךְ קוֹרְאִים לְךָ?
eikh kor'im lekha
What is your name?
Ask one person their name. Choose the form for the person you are speaking to.
Said to
Politeness and everyday replies
Small expressions that make everyday exchanges easier.
תּוֹדָה
toda
Thank you
Thank someone for help, an answer, or something they have handed you.
בְּבַקָּשָׁה
bevakasha
Please / you’re welcome
Add it to a request for “please”. In reply to thanks it means “you’re welcome”; when handing something over it can mean “here you are”.
סְלִיחָה
slikha
Excuse me / sorry
Get someone’s attention politely, or apologize for a small interruption or mistake.
כֵּן
ken
Yes
Give a short affirmative answer. Tone and context still matter.
לֹא
lo
No
Give a short negative answer. Use “No, thank you” below when politely declining an offer.
אֲנִי בְּסֵדֶר
ani beseder
I’m fine / I’m okay
A short reply when someone asks how you are. This expression uses the same wording for any speaker.
Ordering food and drink
Make a simple request and finish the exchange politely.
אֶפְשָׁר מַיִם, בְּבַקָּשָׁה?
efshar mayim bevakasha
Can I have water, please?
Ask for water when ordering or while sitting at a table. The request does not specify a type of water.
אֲנִי רוֹצֶה קָפֶה, בְּבַקָּשָׁה.
ani rotse kafe bevakasha
I want coffee, please
A simple café order. Choose the form for the speaker; “please” softens the direct request.
Said by
אֶפְשָׁר תַּפְרִיט, בְּבַקָּשָׁה?
efshar tafrit bevakasha
Can I have a menu, please?
Ask for the menu before ordering.
חֶשְׁבּוֹן, בְּבַקָּשָׁה.
kheshbon bevakasha
The bill, please
Ask for the bill when you are ready to pay at a café or restaurant.
בְּלִי חָלָב, בְּבַקָּשָׁה.
bli khalav bevakasha
Without milk, please
Add this when ordering a drink. This short request is not a complete allergy or food-safety explanation.
תּוֹדָה רַבָּה
toda raba
Thank you very much
Offer a warmer thank-you after someone brings your order or helps with a request.
Shopping and paying
Ask about an item, a size, or a way to pay.
כַּמָּה זֶה עוֹלֶה?
kama ze ole
How much does this cost?
Point to one item or show it while asking the price.
יֵשׁ לְךָ אֶת זֶה?
yesh lekha et ze
Do you have this?
Show the item or a picture. These forms address one shop assistant, not a group.
Said to
אֶפְשָׁר מִדָּה אַחֶרֶת?
efshar mida akheret
Can I have another size?
Use this while trying on clothing or looking at the item you want in another size.
אֶפְשָׁר לְשַׁלֵּם בְּאַשְׁרַאי?
efshar leshalem be'ashrai
Can I pay by credit card?
Ask whether credit-card payment is possible before paying.
אֶפְשָׁר לְשַׁלֵּם בִּמְזֻמָּן?
efshar leshalem bimezuman
Can I pay in cash?
Ask whether cash payment is possible. This does not ask for a discount.
לֹא, תּוֹדָה.
lo toda
No, thank you
Politely decline an offer, such as an extra item or a bag.
Directions and asking for help
Find your way or ask for a little more time to understand.
אֵיפֹה הַשֵּׁרוּתִים?
eifo hasherutim
Where is the bathroom?
Ask where the toilets are in a café, shop, or public place.
אֶפְשָׁר עֶזְרָה, בְּבַקָּשָׁה?
efshar ezra bevakasha
Can I have some help, please?
Ask someone nearby for assistance with an ordinary task or question.
אֲנִי לֹא מֵבִין.
ani lo mevin
I don’t understand
Say this when you have not understood what someone said. Choose the speaker’s form.
Said by
אַתָּה יָכוֹל לַחֲזֹר עַל זֶה?
ata yakhol lakhazor al ze
Can you repeat that?
Ask one person to repeat what they said. Pick the form for the person you are speaking to.
Said to
אֶפְשָׁר לְדַבֵּר יוֹתֵר לְאַט?
efshar ledaber yoter le'at
Can you speak more slowly?
Ask for a slower pace when you need more time to follow the conversation.
אַתָּה מְדַבֵּר אַנְגְּלִית?
ata medaber anglit
Do you speak English?
Ask one person whether you can continue in English.
Said to
Put the words together
Two small conversations
See how phrases you have just learned can work in an exchange.
A morning greeting
Two people meet at the start of the day.
First person
שָׁלוֹם
shalom
Hello.
Second person
בֹּקֶר טוֹב
boker tov
Good morning.
A café order
A female customer orders coffee; the server replies while handing it over.
Customer
אֲנִי רוֹצָה קָפֶה, בְּבַקָּשָׁה.
ani rotsa kafe bevakasha
I want coffee, please.
Server
בְּבַקָּשָׁה
bevakasha
Here you are.
Your turn
Try a quick phrase practice
Three everyday situations. No timer, no pressure.
Choose the expression you would use. Check your answer, read the explanation, and try again whenever you like.
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Continue learning with HebrewEdu
Build on these phrases with vocabulary review, structured lessons and beginner reading with audio and translation.
Beginner questions
Which Hebrew phrases should I learn first?
Start with a greeting, thank you, please and a request you can use today. Practise a few expressions in their situations before adding more.
Can I use these phrases before I can read Hebrew?
Yes. The English meanings and Latin-letter transliterations help you start. Transliteration is an approximation; learning the letters and hearing spoken Hebrew will help you develop your pronunciation.
When do I need a different gender form?
Look at the label on the card. “Speaker” means the form follows the person saying the phrase. “Addressee” means it follows the person being spoken to. The examples that address someone use singular forms.
Keep learning Hebrew
Use a reference when you need it, or give your practice a little structure.
Remember the phrases you learn
Build a manageable vocabulary and review habit.
Look up Hebrew letters
Keep letter shapes, names and final forms close at hand.
Start with the alphabet
Meet Aleph in the published first alphabet lesson.
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