If you live in Israel – or even if you’re just visiting for a while – at some point, you have to manage everyday life in Hebrew.
But where is it hardest to avoid?
Bureaucracy.
Think about things like your health fund, your bank, parking, payments and other everyday services. And, to put it gently, not every service provider speaks English comfortably. Some apps and phone services don’t always offer an English option either.
I’ve heard this from my students more than once: they called a service, asked to speak to someone in English, and ended up getting an answer in Hebrew anyway.
In short, dealing with the practical side of everyday life in Israel isn’t always easy when you’re still learning the language.
One article can’t teach you everything you’ll need to navigate life here – which is why I also offer a more in-depth course [LINK TO COURSE].
But I can give you a useful starting point.
Here are 21 Hebrew words you’ll see again and again when using apps and online services in Israel.
Words you’ll see everywhere
| Hebrew word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| חיפוש | khipus | search |
| פרטים נוספים | pratim nosafim | more details |
| בחירה | bekhirah | selection / choice |
| המשך | hemshekh | continue |
| חזרה | khazarah | back / return |
Sending, contacting and submitting
| Hebrew word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| שליחה | shlikhah | send / sending |
| פנייה / לפנות ל־ | pniyah / lifnot le- | contact / contact someone |
| טופס | tofes | form |
| הודעה | hoda’ah | message / notification |
| קישור / לינק | kishur / link | link |
Confirming and paying
| Hebrew word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| אישור | ishur | confirmation / approval |
| ביטול | bitul | cancel / cancellation |
| תשלום | tashlum | payment |
| קבלה | kabalah | receipt |
Information and login
| Hebrew word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| תאריך | ta’arikh | date |
| כתובת | ktovet | address |
| מיקום | mikum | location |
| מסמך / מסמכים | mismakh / mismakhim | document / documents |
| סיסמה | sismah | password |
| שם משתמש | shem mishtamesh | username |
| התחברות | hitkhabrut | login / sign in |
A few things to keep in mind
You don’t need to memorize all 21 words before you start using Israeli apps.
The goal is simply to start recognizing them.
You’ll probably notice that some of these words appear again and again – sometimes in the exact same places. Once you’ve seen אישור, ביטול, חיפוש or המשך a few times, they start becoming familiar.
And that’s one of the best ways to learn practical Hebrew: notice the words you’re already encountering in your everyday life and learn them in context.
Want to take your Hebrew a step further?
Maybe you’re ready to make a bigger leap with your Hebrew and feel more confident using it in everyday life.
I’m currently working on Speak Like a Local, a practical Hebrew course designed to help you take the Hebrew you already know and use it more naturally in real-life situations.
If you’d like to hear about it when a spot becomes available, join the waiting list and I’ll let you know as soon as enrollment opens.
You can find all the details about the course on the page above.
