If you want to chat like an Israeli, textbook Hebrew won’t cut it. Modern Hebrew slang is fast, playful, and packed with attitude. Here’s your cheat sheet for sounding like a local.
The Basics: Must-Know Israeli Slang
Sababa
/saˈbaba/“Cool / Awesome”
The Swiss Army knife of Hebrew slang. Use it to say something is cool, fine, or all good. “We’re meeting at 8?” “Sababa, see you then.”
Stam
/stam/“Just kidding / Whatever”
A multipurpose word for when something isn’t serious, or you’re brushing something off. “Did you really eat all the hummus?” “Stam, I left you some.”
Achla
/aχˈla/“Great / Sweet”
Arabic influence in Hebrew slang. Means something is excellent. “This falafel is achla!”
Expressions for Everyday Use
Yalla
/ˈjala/“Let’s go / Come on”
The ultimate Hebrew hurry-up. Used to push things along or express impatience. “Yalla, we’re late!”
Chai b’seret
/χaj bseˈʁet/“Living in a movie”
When someone’s being dramatic or over-the-top. “He cried because his coffee was cold? Chai b’seret.”
B’seder gamur
/bseˈdeʁ ɡaˈmuʁ/“Totally fine”
Stronger than just b’seder (okay). Emphasises that everything’s sorted. “Your phone survived the pool?” “B’seder gamur, it’s waterproof.”
Slang for Reactions & Emotions
Nudnik
/ˈnudnik/“Annoying person”
Borrowed from Yiddish. A pest who won’t leave you alone. “My neighbour keeps complaining about my dog - total nudnik.”
Fadicha
/faˈdiχa/“Embarrassment”
Arabic-derived cringe. For when someone’s being painfully awkward. “He proposed on live TV? Fadicha!”
Balagan
/balaˈɡan/“Mess / Chaos”
A Russian import. Perfect for describing disorder, from messy rooms to political scandals. “The party turned into a total balagan.”
Bonus: Text & Social Media Slang
- Tnu li emoji (“Give me an emoji”) – When someone’s being vague and you want a clearer reaction.
- Ani mefageret (“I’m freaking out”) – Over text, usually followed by a string of exclamation marks.
- Kol hakavod (“All the respect”) – Sarcastic or genuine praise, depending on tone. Online, it’s often very sarcastic.
Pro tip: Israelis love mixing slang with hand gestures. Pair yalla with a wrist flick, or stam with an eye roll for maximum effect.
For more on Hebrew’s playful side, check out Funny Hebrew Idioms That Reveal Israeli Humor or How to Navigate Israeli Bureaucracy in Hebrew for practical language tips.
