Top 20 Hebrew Idioms, Proverbs & Sayings. Part 2

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Hello Junkies!

Welcome to Part 2!

Looking for some Hebrew idioms? Good! Knowing these will add to your Hebrew  so that you can speak express yourself better.

In this post, I’ll cover the next batch of  Hebrew idioms, proverbs (or sayings – whatever you want to call them) and provide English translations and explanations so you know when and how to use them.

(And if you want to REALLY learn Hebrew with Audio & Video lessons from real teachers, be sure to check out HebrewPod101.com and click here)

11. Merov etzim lo ro’im eth ha’ya’ar

  • Translation: Can’t see the forest for the trees.

There’s a saying just like that in English. It’s when you’re focused on the trees instead of the forest. You miss the big picture. Why? You’re looking at the details – the trees, not the forest.

learn hebrew proverbs at linguajunkie.com

12. Na’eh doresh – na’eh meqayem

  • Translation: He who demands well, should fulfill his demands well.

Practice what you preach. If someone demands something of you, well, let’s hope they’re demanding and doing it too. Otherwise… what the hell, bro?

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13. Snonith ahath eyna mevasereth eth bo ha’aviv

  • Translation: one swallow does not herald the coming of spring.

If something happened once, it might be luck. It might be random. One occurrence does not mean a pattern or that there’s truth to it.

learn hebrew proverbs at linguajunkie.com

14. Al d’ateft atfu’kh, v’sof m’tifaikh ytufun

  • Translation: Because you have drowned others, you were drowned — and in the end, those who drowned you will be drowned.

Because you’ve committed a sin, other people will punish you. BUT, they will also be sinning. And they too will get it. People are not allowed to take the law into their own hands.

learn hebrew proverbs at linguajunkie.com

15. Tsoheq mi shetsoheq aharon

  • Translation: laughs he who laughs last.

You’ll know the English version – “he who laughs last, laughs best.” Meaning, the  true winner is the one who won at the end… or who gets the last laugh.

learn hebrew proverbs at linguajunkie.com

16. Tsaroth ba’oth bitsro’oth

  • Translation: Troubles come in packs.

The translation explains it all. This can also mean “when it rains, it pours.” When one bad thing happens after another – as it sometimes with bad luck.

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17. Rahoq Meha’ayin – Rahoq Mehalev

  • Translation: “Far from the eye – far from the heart”.

In other words, out of sight, out of mind. As much as people like saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” when things aren’t within your sight, you begin to forget.

learn hebrew proverbs at linguajunkie.com

18. Tafasta Merubeh – Lo Tafasta

  • Translation: Caught lots – got nothing.

The English equivalent is “Grasp all, lose all.” So, if you try to achieve too many goals at once, you’ll achieve none of them. Remember, focus on one thing a ta time.

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19. Lo khol yom po-rim

  • Hebrew:     לא כל יום פורים
  • Translation: Not every day is Purim

Purim is one of the most festive holidays, if you didn’t now. And thus, this proverb means that not every day will be a holiday. Or, there are good days and there are bad days.

learn hebrew proverbs at linguajunkie.com

20. Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh

  • Translation: All of Israel are responsible for each other

Basically, every Jewish person is responsible for his people. Whether it is to help them, provide for them or stop them from sinning. This is a good proverb because underlines the strength and support within a community that cares for its members.

learn hebrew proverbs at linguajunkie.com

And that’s it for part 2.

What do you think? Be sure to leave a comment and share this article!

– The Main Junkie

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Yvette Jones

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