Can I get by in Israel with English?

In Tel Aviv hotels, yes. On a bus, at a clinic, and in a neighbourhood restaurant, Hebrew is the room. A handful of lines plus the camera covers the gap.

What is the one phrase I should learn first?

Slicha (excuse me) and toda (thank you). Then ani rotzeh / ani rotzah, because that is how you order anything.

Hebrew in an Israeli restaurant

The short answer

Menus outside the tourist strip are Hebrew-only. The camera in baba is for that. The speech is for the waiter.

Hebrew inflects to the speaker and the listener. Set both before you pick a verb.
baba is a translation tool, not a course. It gets the line right for the room you are in.

By baba TeamLast updated: September 11, 2026

What do you actually say?

A table for two

שולחן לשניים

Shulchan le-shnayim

For two women some people say le-shtayim. Shnayim is what you will hear.

Water, please

מים, בבקשה

Mayim, bevakasha

Still water is mayim mineraliyim. Sparkling is soda or gas.

The bill, please

את החשבון, בבקשה

Et ha-cheshbon, bevakasha

Not "check." Cheshbon is the bill.

I would like…

אני רוצה…

Ani rotzeh / ani rotzah

This is the gender trap. Men: rotzeh. Women: rotzah.

Gender. rotzeh (m) / rotzah (f)

Frequently asked questions

Can I get by in Israel with English?: In Tel Aviv hotels, yes. On a bus, at a clinic, and in a neighbourhood restaurant, Hebrew is the room. A handful of lines plus the camera covers the gap.
What is the one phrase I should learn first?: Slicha (excuse me) and toda (thank you). Then ani rotzeh / ani rotzah, because that is how you order anything.

Hebrew for restaurant