Hebrew, a Semitic language, is one of the oldest languages in the world. It was revived in the 19th and 20th centuries and is now the official language of Israel. For language learners aiming to reach a B1 level, it’s crucial to build a robust vocabulary that will allow for more complex conversations and comprehension. This article will guide you through some essential Hebrew words and phrases that are important for B1 level learners.
Everyday Vocabulary
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with everyday vocabulary. These words and phrases are essential for daily interactions and will help you navigate through various situations.
Nouns
1. מִשְׁפָּחָה (Mishpacha) – Family
2. חֶבְרָה (Hevra) – Company / Society
3. עֲבוֹדָה (Avoda) – Work / Job
4. חֲבֵר (Chaver) – Friend (male)
5. חֲבֵרָה (Chavera) – Friend (female)
6. בַּיִת (Bayit) – House / Home
7. חֶדֶר (Cheder) – Room
8. מִטְבָּח (Mitbah) – Kitchen
9. סֵפֶר (Sefer) – Book
10. מִסְעָדָה (Misada) – Restaurant
Verbs
1. לִלְמוֹד (Lilmod) – To learn
2. לַעֲבוֹד (La’avod) – To work
3. לְדַבֵּר (Ledaber) – To speak
4. לִכְתוֹב (Lichtov) – To write
5. לִקְרוֹא (Likro) – To read
6. לְבַשֵּׁל (Levashal) – To cook
7. לָגוּר (Lagur) – To live (in a place)
8. לְהִפָּגֵשׁ (Lehipagesh) – To meet
9. לְטַיֵּל (Letayel) – To travel
10. לְהִתְאַמֵּן (Lehit’amen) – To exercise
Adjectives
1. גָּדוֹל (Gadol) – Big
2. קָטָן (Katan) – Small
3. חָדָשׁ (Chadash) – New
4. יָשָׁן (Yashan) – Old
5. יָפֶה (Yafe) – Beautiful
6. מְכֹעָר (Mechoar) – Ugly
7. מְעַנְיֵן (Me’anyen) – Interesting
8. מְשַׁעֲמֵם (Mesha’amem) – Boring
9. קָשֶׁה (Kashe) – Difficult
10. קַל (Kal) – Easy
Essential Phrases
Being able to use phrases in context is crucial for effective communication. Here are some common phrases that can help you in various situations:
1. אֵיךְ קוֹרְאִים לְךָ? (Eich kor’im lecha?) – What is your name? (male)
2. אֵיךְ קוֹרְאִים לָךְ? (Eich kor’im lach?) – What is your name? (female)
3. אֲנִי לוֹמֵד עִבְרִית (Ani lomed Ivrit) – I am learning Hebrew (male)
4. אֲנִי לוֹמֶדֶת עִבְרִית (Ani lomedet Ivrit) – I am learning Hebrew (female)
5. אֵיפֹה הַשֵּׁרוּתִים? (Eifo hasherutim?) – Where is the restroom?
6. כַּמָּה זֶה עוֹלֶה? (Kama ze oleh?) – How much does it cost?
7. אֲנִי רוֹצֶה (Ani rotze) – I want (male)
8. אֲנִי רוֹצָה (Ani rotza) – I want (female)
9. אֲנִי מֵבִין (Ani mevin) – I understand (male)
10. אֲנִי מְבִינָה (Ani mevina) – I understand (female)
Numbers and Time
Understanding numbers and telling time are essential skills for everyday activities like shopping, scheduling, and planning.
Numbers
1. אֶפֶס (Efes) – Zero
2. אֶחָד (Echad) – One
3. שְׁנַיִם (Shnayim) – Two
4. שְׁלוֹשָׁה (Shlosha) – Three
5. אַרְבָּעָה (Arba’a) – Four
6. חֲמִשָּׁה (Chamisha) – Five
7. שִׁשָּׁה (Shisha) – Six
8. שִׁבְעָה (Shiv’a) – Seven
9. שְׁמוֹנָה (Shmona) – Eight
10. תִּשְׁעָה (Tisha) – Nine
11. עֶשֶׂר (Eser) – Ten
Time Expressions
1. שָׁעָה (Sha’a) – Hour
2. דַּקָּה (Daka) – Minute
3. רֶבַע (Reva) – Quarter
4. חֲצִי (Chatzi) – Half
5. בּוֹקֶר (Boker) – Morning
6. צָהֳרַיִם (Tsohorayim) – Noon
7. אַחַר הַצָּהֳרַיִם (Achar hatsohorayim) – Afternoon
8. עֶרֶב (Erev) – Evening
9. לַיְלָה (Laila) – Night
Grammar Essentials
At the B1 level, a deeper understanding of Hebrew grammar is essential. This includes conjugations, sentence structure, and the use of prepositions.
Verb Conjugations
Hebrew verbs are conjugated based on tense, person, gender, and number. Here’s a brief overview of the present tense conjugations for the verb לִכְתוֹב (Lichtov) – To write:
1. כּוֹתֵב (Kotev) – I write (male)
2. כּוֹתֶבֶת (Kotevet) – I write (female)
3. כּוֹתְבִים (Kotvim) – We write (male/mixed group)
4. כּוֹתְבוֹת (Kotvot) – We write (female group)
Sentence Structure
The basic sentence structure in Hebrew is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO). For example:
1. אֲנִי קוֹרֵא סֵפֶר (Ani kore sefer) – I am reading a book.
2. הִיא מְבַשֶּׁלֶת אֲרוּחָה (Hi mevashelet arucha) – She is cooking a meal.
Prepositions
Prepositions are essential for connecting words and phrases. Here are some common Hebrew prepositions:
1. בְּ (Be) – In / At
2. לְ (Le) – To / For
3. עַל (Al) – On / About
4. אֶת (Et) – With / Alongside (used with definite direct objects)
5. מִ (Mi) – From
Common Expressions and Idioms
Understanding expressions and idioms can greatly enhance your conversational skills and help you sound more like a native speaker.
1. סַבַּבָּה (Sababa) – Cool / Great
2. אֵין דָּבָר (Ein davar) – No problem / It’s nothing
3. כֵּיף (Keif) – Fun / Pleasure
4. מַה הָעוֹמֵד (Ma ha’omed) – What’s up?
5. לֹא בִּגְלַל זֶה (Lo biglal ze) – Not because of that
6. יַאלָּלָה (Yalla) – Let’s go / Hurry up
7. בְּסֵדֶר (Beseder) – Okay / Alright
8. כָּל הַכָּבוֹד (Kol hakavod) – Well done / Respect
9. אֵין בְּעָיָה (Ein be’aya) – No problem
10. תּוֹדָה רַבָּה (Toda raba) – Thank you very much
Listening and Speaking Practice
To truly master these words and phrases, regular practice is essential. Here are some tips:
1. **Listen to Hebrew Podcasts:** Find podcasts that are geared towards language learners or even those made for native speakers. This will help you get used to the natural flow of the language.
2. **Engage in Conversations:** Practice speaking with native speakers or fellow learners. Use language exchange apps or local language groups.
3. **Watch Hebrew Media:** Watch movies, TV shows, and news in Hebrew. This will help you understand the context in which words and phrases are used.
4. **Record Yourself:** Record yourself speaking and listen to your pronunciation. Compare it with native speakers and make adjustments.
Conclusion
Reaching a B1 level in Hebrew opens up a new world of communication and understanding. By mastering the vocabulary and phrases covered in this article, you will be well-equipped to engage in more complex conversations and understand a wider range of Hebrew texts. Remember, consistency is key. Practice regularly, immerse yourself in the language, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Happy learning!
