Hebrew is a rich and ancient language, replete with idiomatic expressions that offer a window into the culture and mindset of those who speak it. For English speakers learning Hebrew, understanding these idioms can be both enlightening and essential for reaching a deeper level of fluency. Hebrew idioms often carry meanings that go beyond their literal translations, requiring learners to grasp the cultural context to fully understand them. In this article, we will explore some common Hebrew idioms, their meanings, and how they can be used in everyday conversation.
1. לשים לב (Lashim Lev) – To Pay Attention
One of the most frequently used idioms in Hebrew, “לשים לב” literally translates to “to put heart.” However, in practical usage, it means “to pay attention” or “to be attentive.” This idiom underscores the importance of being present and mindful, which is a significant aspect of Israeli culture.
**Example:**
– ילד, שים לב לדברים שאני אומר.
– Yeled, lashim lev ladvarim she’ani omer.
– Child, pay attention to the things I am saying.
2. אכל אותה (Akal Ota) – He Ate It
This idiom has nothing to do with food. “אכל אותה” literally means “he ate it,” but it is used to describe someone who is in trouble or has encountered a problematic situation. It’s similar to the English idiom “he got screwed.”
**Example:**
– הוא ממש אכל אותה בעבודה החדשה שלו.
– Hu mamash akal ota ba’avoda hadasha shelo.
– He really got screwed at his new job.
3. אין מה לעשות (Ein Ma La’asot) – There’s Nothing to Be Done
This idiom conveys a sense of resignation or acceptance. “אין מה לעשות” means “there’s nothing to be done,” indicating that a situation is beyond one’s control and must be accepted as it is. It captures a common Israeli attitude towards uncontrollable circumstances.
**Example:**
– המכונית התקלקלה ואין מה לעשות.
– Hamchoneet nitkalkela ve’ein ma la’asot.
– The car broke down, and there’s nothing to be done.
4. סוף העולם שמאלה (Sof Ha’olam Smola) – The End of the World to the Left
When someone wants to describe a place that is very far away or hard to find, they might use this idiom. “סוף העולם שמאלה” literally means “the end of the world to the left.” It emphasizes the remoteness of a location.
**Example:**
– החנות הזאת נמצאת סוף העולם שמאלה.
– Hachanut hazot nimtzet sof ha’olam smola.
– That store is at the end of the world to the left.
5. על הפנים (Al Ha’panim) – On the Face
This idiom is used to describe something that is very bad or has gone very wrong. “על הפנים” literally translates to “on the face,” but it is equivalent to saying “terrible” or “a disaster” in English.
**Example:**
– המבחן שלי היה על הפנים.
– Hamivchan sheli haya al ha’panim.
– My exam was terrible.
6. לאכול את הלב (Le’echol Et HaLev) – To Eat the Heart
This idiom means to be deeply regretful or to be eaten up by regret. “לאכול את הלב” translates to “to eat the heart,” indicating a feeling of intense remorse or sorrow.
**Example:**
– הוא אוכל את הלב על ההחלטה שלו.
– Hu ochel et halev al hahachlata shelo.
– He is deeply regretful about his decision.
7. עיניים גדולות (Eynaim Gdolot) – Big Eyes
When someone has “big eyes,” it means they are being greedy or wanting more than they can handle. This idiom is used to describe someone who desires more than what is reasonable or feasible.
**Example:**
– אל תעשה עיניים גדולות, תסתפק במה שיש לך.
– Al ta’ase eynaim gdolot, tistapek b’ma sheyesh lecha.
– Don’t be greedy, be satisfied with what you have.
8. להוריד את הכפפות (Lehorid Et Hakfafot) – To Take Off the Gloves
This idiom is used when someone decides to stop being polite or cautious and starts being aggressive or direct. “להוריד את הכפפות” translates to “to take off the gloves,” similar to the English idiom “to take the gloves off.”
**Example:**
– הגיע הזמן להוריד את הכפפות ולהגיד את האמת.
– Higiya hazman lehorid et hakfafot ve’lehagid et ha’emet.
– It’s time to take off the gloves and tell the truth.
9. יושב על הגדר (Yoshev Al Hagader) – Sitting on the Fence
This idiom is used to describe someone who is undecided or not taking sides in a conflict. “יושב על הגדר” literally means “sitting on the fence,” akin to the English expression “sitting on the fence.”
**Example:**
– הוא יושב על הגדר ולא מחליט מה לעשות.
– Hu yoshev al hagader ve’lo machlit ma la’asot.
– He is sitting on the fence and not deciding what to do.
10. לקחת את עצמך בידיים (Lakachat Et Atzmecha Beyadayim) – Take Yourself in Your Hands
This idiom means to take responsibility for oneself or to pull oneself together. “לקחת את עצמך בידיים” translates to “take yourself in your hands,” emphasizing personal responsibility and self-control.
**Example:**
– הגיע הזמן שתיקח את עצמך בידיים ותתחיל לעבוד.
– Higiya hazman she’tikach et atzmecha beyadayim ve’tatchil la’avod.
– It’s time for you to take responsibility and start working.
11. לא דובים ולא יער (Lo Dubim Ve’lo Ya’ar) – No Bears and No Forest
This idiom is used to say that something is completely false or imaginary. “לא דובים ולא יער” translates to “no bears and no forest,” akin to saying “pure fantasy” or “nonsense.”
**Example:**
– מה שהוא אמר זה לא דובים ולא יער.
– Ma shehu amar ze lo dubim ve’lo ya’ar.
– What he said is pure nonsense.
12. מים שקטים חודרים עמוק (Mayim Sheketim Chodrim Amok) – Still Waters Run Deep
This idiom is used to describe a person who may seem quiet or reserved but possesses deep thoughts and emotions. “מים שקטים חודרים עמוק” translates to “still waters run deep,” similar to the English saying.
**Example:**
– אל תזלזל בו, מים שקטים חודרים עמוק.
– Al tazalzel bo, mayim sheketim chodrim amok.
– Don’t underestimate him, still waters run deep.
13. להכות בברזל בעודו חם (Lahakot Babarzel Beodo Cham) – Strike While the Iron is Hot
This idiom means to take action at the right moment or to seize the opportunity. “להכות בברזל בעודו חם” translates to “strike while the iron is hot,” similar to the English expression.
**Example:**
– אם אתה רוצה להצליח, אתה צריך להכות בברזל בעודו חם.
– Im ata rotze lehatzlich, ata tzarich lahakot babarzel beodo cham.
– If you want to succeed, you need to strike while the iron is hot.
14. צרות באות בצרורות (Tzarot Ba’ot B’tzrorot) – Troubles Come in Bundles
This idiom is used to describe a situation where multiple problems occur simultaneously. “צרות באות בצרורות” translates to “troubles come in bundles,” akin to the English saying “when it rains, it pours.”
**Example:**
– יש לנו הרבה בעיות עכשיו, צרות באות בצרורות.
– Yesh lanu harbe be’ayot achshav, tzarot ba’ot b’tzrorot.
– We have many problems right now; troubles come in bundles.
15. לא כל הנוצץ זהב (Lo Kol Hanotzetz Zahav) – Not All That Glitters is Gold
This idiom warns that appearances can be deceiving. “לא כל הנוצץ זהב” translates to “not all that glitters is gold,” similar to the English saying.
**Example:**
– אל תתפתה, לא כל הנוצץ זהב.
– Al titpate, lo kol hanotzetz zahav.
– Don’t be tempted; not all that glitters is gold.
16. לחם חוק (Lechem Chok) – Daily Bread
This idiom refers to something that is essential or a regular necessity. “לחם חוק” translates to “daily bread,” akin to the English expression “daily bread.”
**Example:**
– העבודה הזאת היא לחם חוק עבורי.
– Ha’avoda hazot hi lechem chok avuri.
– This job is my daily bread.
17. לא לשים את כל הביצים בסל אחד (Lo Lasim Et Kol Ha’betzim Besal Echad) – Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
This idiom advises against relying on a single plan or resource. “לא לשים את כל הביצים בסל אחד” translates to “don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” similar to the English saying.
**Example:**
– כדאי לך להשקיע בכמה דברים שונים, לא לשים את כל הביצים בסל אחד.
– Kedai lecha lehashkia be’kama dvarim shonim, lo lasim et kol ha’betzim besal echad.
– You should invest in various things; don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
18. כל עכבה לטובה (Kol Akavah Le’tovah) – Every Delay is for the Best
This idiom suggests that delays or setbacks might ultimately lead to a better outcome. “כל עכבה לטובה” translates to “every delay is for the best,” similar to the English expression “every cloud has a silver lining.”
**Example:**
– אל תדאג, כל עכבה לטובה.
– Al tidag, kol akavah le’tovah.
– Don’t worry, every delay is for the best.
19. מאחורי הקלעים (Me’achorei Hakla’im) – Behind the Scenes
This idiom is used to describe activities or events that happen out of public view. “מאחורי הקלעים” translates to “behind the scenes,” akin to the English phrase.
**Example:**
– הרבה דברים קורים מאחורי הקלעים.
– Harbe dvarim korim me’achorei hakla’im.
– Many things are happening behind the scenes.
20. על רגל אחת (Al Regel Achat) – On One Leg
This idiom is used when someone wants a brief summary or explanation. “על רגל אחת” translates to “on one leg,” similar to the English expression “in a nutshell.”
**Example:**
– תסביר לי את זה על רגל אחת.
– Tasbir li et ze al regel achat.
– Explain it to me in a nutshell.
Understanding these idioms will not only enhance your Hebrew vocabulary but also give you insight into the cultural nuances of the language. Idiomatic expressions are a vibrant part of any language, and Hebrew is no exception. By incorporating these idioms into your everyday conversations, you can speak more naturally and connect more deeply with native speakers. Happy learning!
