Difference between revisions of "Say Thank You in Hebrew"
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Make some new Israeli friends? Visiting the Holy Land? Just trying to expand your international vocabulary? Luckily, learning to say "thank you" in Hebrew is easy even if you don't know any other words in the language. The most important thank you phrase you need to know is "'''toda'''," pronounced "'''toe-DAH'''." | Make some new Israeli friends? Visiting the Holy Land? Just trying to expand your international vocabulary? Luckily, learning to say "thank you" in Hebrew is easy even if you don't know any other words in the language. The most important thank you phrase you need to know is "'''toda'''," pronounced "'''toe-DAH'''." | ||
| − | [[Category:Hebrew]] | + | [[Category: Hebrew]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Learning a Basic "Thank You" === | === Learning a Basic "Thank You" === | ||
| − | #Say "toh.'''"''' In Hebrew, the simplest, most common way to say "thank you" is "toda" (תודה).<ref>http://survivalphrases.com/pdfs/SurvivalPhrases_Hebrew_S1L01.pdf</ref> The first syllable is very similar to the English word "''TOffee.''" | + | #Say "toh.'''"''' In Hebrew, the simplest, most common way to say "thank you" is "toda" (תודה).<ref name="rf1">http://survivalphrases.com/pdfs/SurvivalPhrases_Hebrew_S1L01.pdf</ref> The first syllable is very similar to the English word "''TOffee.''" |
#* Try to pronounce it with the tongue and lips at the front of the mouth to give it a very slight "oo" sound. You don't want to say "too," but the word shouldn't quite use a straight "oh" either. | #* Try to pronounce it with the tongue and lips at the front of the mouth to give it a very slight "oo" sound. You don't want to say "too," but the word shouldn't quite use a straight "oh" either. | ||
| − | #Say "dah.'''"''' The second syllable in "toda" uses a standard English d Some Hebrew speakers pronounce it with a short a sound (like the a in "apple").<ref>http://www.forvo.com/word/toda/#es</ref> | + | #Say "dah.'''"''' The second syllable in "toda" uses a standard English d Some Hebrew speakers pronounce it with a short a sound (like the a in "apple").<ref name="rf2">http://www.forvo.com/word/toda/#es</ref> |
#* Try to open your mouth slightly when you pronounce this syllable. Say it with the middle or back of your mouth (not with your lips at the front) to get the perfect inflection. | #* Try to open your mouth slightly when you pronounce this syllable. Say it with the middle or back of your mouth (not with your lips at the front) to get the perfect inflection. | ||
| − | #Put it all together with the accent on "dah.'''"''' "Toda" is pronounced basically "'''toh-DAH'''," with the emphasis on the second syllable. A good example of the proper pronunciation and stress is available from [http://www.omniglot.com/soundfiles/hebrew/thanks_hb.mp3 Omniglot].<ref>http://www.omniglot.com/soundfiles/hebrew/thanks_hb.mp3</ref> | + | #Put it all together with the accent on "dah.'''"''' "Toda" is pronounced basically "'''toh-DAH'''," with the emphasis on the second syllable. A good example of the proper pronunciation and stress is available from [http://www.omniglot.com/soundfiles/hebrew/thanks_hb.mp3 Omniglot].<ref name="rf3">http://www.omniglot.com/soundfiles/hebrew/thanks_hb.mp3</ref> |
#* This is important — putting the stress on the first syllable ("TOH-dah") will make the word sound bizarre and may make it hard to understand you. It's like pronouncing the English word "enough" as "EE-nuff," not "ee-NUFF." | #* This is important — putting the stress on the first syllable ("TOH-dah") will make the word sound bizarre and may make it hard to understand you. It's like pronouncing the English word "enough" as "EE-nuff," not "ee-NUFF." | ||
#Use this word as an all-purpose "thanks.'''"''' In Hebrew, "toda" is very, very common. You can use it to give thanks in virtually any situation. For instance, it's a good choice when you are served food, when someone gives you a compliment, or when someone gives you a helping hand. | #Use this word as an all-purpose "thanks.'''"''' In Hebrew, "toda" is very, very common. You can use it to give thanks in virtually any situation. For instance, it's a good choice when you are served food, when someone gives you a compliment, or when someone gives you a helping hand. | ||
| − | #* One of the nice things about the Hebrew language is that it doesn't have strict rules about which words to use in formal situations and which to use in informal ones (like, for instance, Spanish). You can say "toda" to your little brother or to the CEO of the company you're working for — it doesn't matter!<ref | + | #* One of the nice things about the Hebrew language is that it doesn't have strict rules about which words to use in formal situations and which to use in informal ones (like, for instance, Spanish). You can say "toda" to your little brother or to the CEO of the company you're working for — it doesn't matter!<ref name="rf1" /> |
=== Learning "Thank You" Variations === | === Learning "Thank You" Variations === | ||
#Use "toda raba" (תודה רבה) for "thank you very much.'''"''' While "toda" is perfect for your everyday "thank yous," sometimes, you'll want to express that you're ''especially'' thankful for something. In this case, try "toda raba," which is roughly equivalent to "thank you very much" or "thanks a lot." | #Use "toda raba" (תודה רבה) for "thank you very much.'''"''' While "toda" is perfect for your everyday "thank yous," sometimes, you'll want to express that you're ''especially'' thankful for something. In this case, try "toda raba," which is roughly equivalent to "thank you very much" or "thanks a lot." | ||
| − | #* This phrase is pronounced "'''toh-DAH rah-BAH'''." "Toda" is exactly the same as above. The r in "raba" is pronounced very delicately at the back of the throat. It is very similar to the French r (as in "au revoir").<ref>http://www.makorehebrew.com/item/5766/en</ref> | + | #* This phrase is pronounced "'''toh-DAH rah-BAH'''." "Toda" is exactly the same as above. The r in "raba" is pronounced very delicately at the back of the throat. It is very similar to the French r (as in "au revoir").<ref name="rf4">http://www.makorehebrew.com/item/5766/en</ref> |
#* Note also that the stress is on the "bah" in "raba" (just like in "toe-DAH"). | #* Note also that the stress is on the "bah" in "raba" (just like in "toe-DAH"). | ||
| − | #Alternatively, use "rav todot" (רב תודות) for "Thank you very much.'''"''' The meaning here is roughly the same as for "toda raba".However this word is used very rarely.<ref>http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/hebrew.php</ref> | + | #Alternatively, use "rav todot" (רב תודות) for "Thank you very much.'''"''' The meaning here is roughly the same as for "toda raba".However this word is used very rarely.<ref name="rf5">http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/hebrew.php</ref> |
#* This phrase is pronounced "'''ruv toe-DOT'''." Remember to use the soft, "French" r sound at the back of the throat, rather than a hard English r. | #* This phrase is pronounced "'''ruv toe-DOT'''." Remember to use the soft, "French" r sound at the back of the throat, rather than a hard English r. | ||
#Use "ani mode lecha" (אני מודה לך) if you're a male. While Hebrew doesn't have strict tenses and word forms for formal situations, but if you want to say thank you in a very polite, formal way, you can use gender-specific grammar. This specific phrase is used when the speaker is a man. It doesn't matter what gender the person being thanked is. | #Use "ani mode lecha" (אני מודה לך) if you're a male. While Hebrew doesn't have strict tenses and word forms for formal situations, but if you want to say thank you in a very polite, formal way, you can use gender-specific grammar. This specific phrase is used when the speaker is a man. It doesn't matter what gender the person being thanked is. | ||
| − | #* This phrase is pronounced. "'''ah-NEE moe-DEH leh-HHAH'''."<ref>http://survivalphrases.com/hebrew/2009/08/03/thank-you/</ref> The most difficult sound here is the "hah" at the end. It's not quite like the English "ha" used for laughter. The first h uses a raspy, almost r-like h sound produced in the back of the throat. It's the same sound used in traditional Jewish words like "Chanukah," "chutzpah," and so on. | + | #* This phrase is pronounced. "'''ah-NEE moe-DEH leh-HHAH'''."<ref name="rf6">http://survivalphrases.com/hebrew/2009/08/03/thank-you/</ref> The most difficult sound here is the "hah" at the end. It's not quite like the English "ha" used for laughter. The first h uses a raspy, almost r-like h sound produced in the back of the throat. It's the same sound used in traditional Jewish words like "Chanukah," "chutzpah," and so on. |
#Use "ani moda lach" (אני מודה לך) if you're a female. The meaning here is exactly the same as for the term above. The only difference is that it's used by females. Again, the gender of the person you're talking to isn't important. | #Use "ani moda lach" (אני מודה לך) if you're a female. The meaning here is exactly the same as for the term above. The only difference is that it's used by females. Again, the gender of the person you're talking to isn't important. | ||
| − | #* "'''ah-NEE mo-DeH lach'''.<ref | + | #* "'''ah-NEE mo-DeH lach'''.<ref name="rf6" /> Here, we're ending "lach" with the "chutzpah" h sound discussed above. Note also that the second word in the phrase ends with a "dah" sound, not a "deh" one. |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
| − | * If someone thanks you in Hebrew, you can reply with "bevakasha" (בבקשה), which is used like "you're welcome" in English. This is pronounced "'''bev-ah-kah-SHAH.'''"<ref>http://www.forvo.com/word/bevakasha/#he</ref> | + | * If someone thanks you in Hebrew, you can reply with "bevakasha" (בבקשה), which is used like "you're welcome" in English. This is pronounced "'''bev-ah-kah-SHAH.'''"<ref name="rf7">http://www.forvo.com/word/bevakasha/#he</ref> |
| − | * Say "tov, toda" (טוב, תודה) if someone asks how you are. This is roughly equivalent to "fine, thank you" in English. "Tov" is pronounced more or less how it's spelled — it rhymes with "slav."<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/other/hebrew/guide/phrases.shtml</ref> | + | * Say "tov, toda" (טוב, תודה) if someone asks how you are. This is roughly equivalent to "fine, thank you" in English. "Tov" is pronounced more or less how it's spelled — it rhymes with "slav."<ref name="rf8">http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/other/hebrew/guide/phrases.shtml</ref> |
== Sources and Citations == | == Sources and Citations == | ||
