17 Must-Know Hebrew Slang Words
You'll impress any Israeli with this list of words.
1. Sababa
Cool, chill, alright, or right on
2. Le'echol Sratim
The literal translation is "to eat movies" but when you say it to someone, it means they love drama, they're acting crazy, or they think there's an issue when in fact there is not.
3. Gadol
It literally translates to "big" but in slang it means awesome.
4. Balagan
Mess
5. Yalla & Yalla Balagan
Yalla - Let's go! Yalla Balagan - Let's go all out!
6. Chai B'Seret
Literal translation is "living in a movie" and is used to mean someone is being unrealistic
7. Tachles
The bottom line
8. Neshama, Motek & Mami
Relationship-related names; Neshama - soul, Motek - sweetheart, Mami - baby
9. Achi, Gever & Chabibi
Achi - bro, Gever - man ("Ezeh Gever" - what a guy!), Chabibi - dude
10. Combina
An "under the table" or "off the record" deal
11. Yesh!
Yes! or #winning
12. C'iloo & Legamre
C'iloo - like, Legamre - totally
13. Leezrom
Literal translation is "to flow" but in slang it means to go with the flow
14. Magniv & Achla
Cool
15. Arsim & Frechot
The equivalent of these fine people (arsim is for guys and frechot is for girls)
16. Lachfor
Literal translation is "to dig" but in slang it means someone who talks too much
17. Chaval Al Hazman
Literally translates to "waste of time" but in slang it means the best thing ever (you know, like Taglit-Birthright Israel with Israel Experience)
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