שלום
Hello
Shalom
The most common Hebrew greeting, also meaning peace.
Context: Used for both hello and goodbye in casual settings. Can be used any time of day.
How to Use "Hello" in a Conversation
Example conversation:
A: Used for both hello and goodbye in casual settings.
B: שלום
This phrase is considered neutral in register and is at a beginner difficulty level for Hebrew learners.
How to Pronounce "שלום"
Shalom
Break it down: Shalom
Hebrew is read from right to left. The transliteration above follows English reading order (left to right) to help you pronounce each sound correctly.
Cultural Tips for Using This Phrase
In Israel, this phrase works in most situations — from talking to friends to speaking with shopkeepers or colleagues.
This phrase stays the same regardless of the speaker's gender, making it easy to learn and use for beginners.
Body language matters in Israel. When saying "hello", Israelis often accompany greetings with warm eye contact and sometimes a handshake or cheek kiss between friends.
Learning "Hello" — Quick Reference
| Hebrew | שלום |
| Pronunciation | Shalom |
| English | Hello |
| Category | greetings |
| Difficulty | beginner |
| Gender-specific | No — same for everyone |
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