Question:
Do most people in Telaviv speak English?
Jacob
2012-08-09 18:01:27 UTC
I am going to Israel soon and I dont speak Hebrew , I just want to know , is it easy to communicate with people in English? like to get a cab or to order food , etc...
Three answers:
2012-08-09 20:13:55 UTC
Yes. A good percentage of Israelis are fluent in the language, and a high percentage still is at least capable of basic communication. Few in Tel Aviv don't speak some English, at least.



Tel Aviv is a very English-friendly city. A lot of signs are in English (as in ALL street signs), and if you need help, you would probably find someone who can speak English in a heartbeat.



While it isn't necessary to know Hebrew to get around Tel Aviv at all, here are a few phrases, just to help.



"Sorry, I/we don't speak Hebrew"

Slikha, Ani Lo Medaber Ivreet - if only talking about you, and male.

Slikha, Ani Lo Medaberet Ivreet - same, but female

Slikha, Ani Lo Medabreem Ivreet - we, and male

Slikha, Ani Lo Medabrot Ivreet - we, and female



Slikha can be left out (it means sorry) if not needed, and the kh is a throaty H (like ch in Loch or Nach in their original languages)



"Do You Speak English"

Atah Me'daber Angleet? - Say this to a single male.

At Me'daberet Angleet? - Say this to a single female.

Atem Me'dabreem Angleet? - Say this to 2+ people (assuming you are addressing a male)

Aten Me'dabrot Angleet? - Say this to 2+ people, but only if female.



"Where is X"

Eifo X?

Note: Bathroom "Shi'ru'teem" Hotel Y "Malon Y" Street Z "Rukhov Z" Restaurant A "Misada A". Club B "Club B"



Hi - Shalom Bye - Bye would work Please - Be'vakasha Thank You - Toda Raba Sorry - Slikha



But, really, it's only courteous to try to speak their language. If you can't learn some stock phrases, it's not the end of the world. And, if they can't speak it, someone around them surely will.
2012-08-10 16:37:08 UTC
@Dean

It's:

Slikha, Anakhnu Lo Medabreem Ivreet - we, and male

Slikha, Anakhnu Lo Medabrot Ivreet - we, and female
?
2012-08-10 08:36:18 UTC
Yes, more or less good. You will have no problem.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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