What is a titul in Hebrew?

טיטול (titul) is any disposable diaper, from the Israeli brand טיטולים. The neutral word is חיתול חד־פעמי, and shops shelve diapers under חיתולים.

What does skotch mean in Israel?

סקוטש (skotch) has two meanings. In cleaning it is a scouring pad, כרית קרצוף, and in sewing or hardware it is a hook-and-loop fastener, צמדן.

Is tipex only correction fluid?

No. טיפקס (tipex) is used for correction fluid, correction pens and correction tape from any maker. The Academy's proposed word for the fluid is מחיקון.

Does pelefon mean a phone or the company?

Both. פלאפון (pelefon) is an Israeli carrier founded in 1986 and also a colloquial word for any mobile phone. Say נייד or טלפון נייד when the carrier matters.

Is akamol the same as any painkiller?

No. אקמול (akamol) is a Teva brand of paracetamol. Other painkillers such as ibuprofen are different drugs, so read the active ingredient on the pack.

Israeli Brand Name Words: Titul to Pelefon

The Big Four

On the label or sign

חיתולים: diapers, shelf label
מידה: size

טיטולDisposable diaper

titul

US English

Disposable diaper

UK English

Disposable nappy

What it is

טיטול is an everyday singular made from the Israeli diaper brand טיטולים, used for any disposable diaper. The neutral word is חיתול חד־פעמי, and the טיטולים brand is still active in 2026.

The difference

טיטול does not mean only the טיטולים product. A cloth or reusable diaper is a חיתול בד, not normally a טיטול.

Common mistake

Do not expect a clerk to know whether you mean the brand or the category when you ask for טיטולים; look on the shelf under חיתולים.

On the label or sign

כרית קרצוף: scouring pad

סקוטשScouring pad

skotch

US English

Scouring pad; scrub pad

UK English

Scourer; scouring pad

What it is

In the cleaning aisle, סקוטש means a scouring pad, a use linked to Scotch-Brite. Shops and price files use סקוטש alongside the neutral כרית קרצוף, including for other brands.

The difference

In a kitchen or cleaning context, סקוטש means the abrasive pad, not a fastener.

Common mistake

Do not ask for סקוטש in a sewing shop if you want a scourer; in a store that sells both, ask for כרית קרצוף.

On the label or sign

וולקרו: hook-and-loop, brand-derived
זכר + נקבה: both mating sides

סקוץ׳ / צמדןHook-and-loop fastener

skotch / tzamdan

US English

Hook-and-loop fastener

UK English

Hook-and-loop fastener

What it is

In sewing, craft and hardware, סקוץ׳ means two mating strips of hooks and loops. The neutral Hebrew word is צמדן, and sellers also use וולקרו, another brand-derived name.

The difference

סקוץ׳ here is a different object from the scouring pad. Packs marked זכר + נקבה contain the two mating faces, not anything else.

Common mistake

Do not leave the use unclear; ask for סקוץ׳ להדבקה for stick-on or לתפירה for sew-on.

On the label or sign

נוזל מחיקה: correction fluid
סרט תיקון: correction tape

טיפקסCorrection fluid or tape

tipex

US English

Correction fluid; correction tape

UK English

Same as US

What it is

Tipp-Ex is a brand, but Hebrew speakers say טיפקס for correction products from any maker. The Hebrew Academy's proposed word for the fluid is מחיקון.

The difference

A טיפקס may be fluid, a pen or dry tape, and may not be made by Tipp-Ex. Shop labels use נוזל מחיקה, עט טיפקס and סרט תיקון.

Common mistake

Do not assume every טיפקס contains liquid; ask for סרט תיקון if you want tape.

On the label or sign

טלפון נייד: mobile phone

פלאפוןMobile phone

pelefon

US English

Cell phone; also the Pelephone carrier

UK English

Mobile phone; also the Pelephone carrier

What it is

פלאפון is both a current Israeli carrier, founded in 1986, and a colloquial word for the handset. In איפה הפלאפון שלי? the word means the phone.

The difference

Israeli reporting records phrases like פלאפון של סלקום, a phone on a competing network. Neutral words are טלפון נייד, טלפון סלולרי or נייד.

Common mistake

Do not assume פלאפון means the carrier; say נייד when the carrier matters.

Food, Drink And Baby

On the label or sign

שלגון: frozen treat on a stick, formal
חלבי: dairy

ארטיקIce-cream bar

artik

US English

Ice-cream bar; loosely popsicle

UK English

Choc ice or ice-cream lolly; loosely ice lolly

What it is

ארטיק was the name of an Israeli company and product founded in the early 1950s and became a general word. Traditional usage separates dairy or coated ארטיק from water-based קרטיב.

The difference

The formal label is שלגון, and contemporary speech is looser than the traditional split. The word ארטיק does not prove dairy status or the maker.

Common mistake

Do not infer dairy or pareve from the word ארטיק; check חלבי or פרווה and the hechsher on each wrapper.

On the label or sign

קרחון: water ice

קרטיבIce pop

kartiv

US English

Ice pop; popsicle

UK English

Ice lolly

What it is

קרטיב also began as a competing Israeli brand name and became the usual word for a water-based frozen treat on a stick. קרחון is also used for a water ice.

The difference

קרטיב is not simply the correct Hebrew for every ארטיק. The dairy and water split between ארטיק and קרטיב is a convention, not a guarantee.

Common mistake

Do not rely on the word קרטיב; read the ingredient and kashrut panel.

On the label or sign

שיבולת שועל: oats

קוואקרOats

kvaker

US English

Rolled or quick oats

UK English

Porridge oats

What it is

Quaker is a brand, but Israelis can say קוואקר for oats or oat porridge. The brand's own Israeli packs say שיבולת שועל.

The difference

Other brands are still oats, not Quaker. US oatmeal can mean the dry product or the cooked dish, while UK porridge usually means the dish.

Common mistake

Do not assume all oats are instant; look for שיבולת שועל and check the cut and cooking time.

On the label or sign

קפה נמס: instant coffee

נס קפהInstant coffee

nes kafe

US English

Instant coffee

UK English

Instant coffee

What it is

NESCAFÉ is Nestlé's brand, and Israelis often shorten it to נס קפה for any instant coffee. The brand itself labels its jars קפה נמס.

The difference

נס קפה does not mean miracle coffee, and not all instant coffee is NESCAFÉ.

Common mistake

Do not read נס קפה literally; look for קפה נמס on the jar or sachet.

במבהPeanut puffs

bamba

US English

Peanut puffs; Bamba brand

UK English

Same as US

What it is

Bamba is Osem-Nestlé's baked peanut and corn snack brand. People sometimes call a competitor's puffs במבה as a comparison.

The difference

The evidence supports במבה as a colloquial comparison more than a fully neutral category word. Peanut content, allergens and hechsher vary by product.

Common mistake

Do not take במבה on a competitor's bag as proof that the snack is Bamba; read the allergen panel.

On the label or sign

ממתיק: sweetener

סוכרזיתTabletop sweetener

sukrazit

US English

Tabletop sweetener; Sucrazit brand

UK English

Same as US

What it is

סוכרזית is a longstanding Israeli sweetener brand that became shorthand for the category. The brand now sells classic, sucralose and stevia products as tablets, sachets, liquid and powder.

The difference

סוכרזית is not the chemical name of one sweetener.

Common mistake

Do not assume סוכרזית always means saccharin or a tablet; read ממתיק and the sweetener type.

On the label or sign

תמ״ל: infant formula

מטרנהInfant formula brand

materna

US English

Infant formula brand

UK English

Same as US

What it is

Materna is a current brand of infant formula and baby food that some people use for formula in general. The neutral regulatory term is תרכובת מזון לתינוקות, short form תמ״ל.

The difference

Similac and other brands are not Materna, and formulas are not interchangeable. Stage, medical use, allergens and kashrut are specific to each product.

Common mistake

Do not treat מטרנה as any formula; check the stage, שלב 1, 2 or 3, on the tin.

On the label or sign

משקה בשקית: pouch drink

טרופיתDrink pouch (historical)

tropit

US English

Foil drink pouch; kids' drink pouch

UK English

Drink pouch

What it is

טרופית was a Jafora-Tabori brand of small pouch drink that became a nostalgic category word.

The difference

Reporting says production of טרופית stopped, and Jafora's current brand list no longer includes it. The neutral term is משקה בשקית.

Common mistake

Do not ask for טרופית as a current product; ask for משקה בשקית and check the brand on the pack.

Home, Office And Health

On the label or sign

דלת פלדה: steel door

פלדלתSteel security door

pladelet

US English

Steel security or entry door

UK English

Steel security or entrance door

What it is

פלדלת is a Rav-Bariach brand for a steel-core door that became a category word. Rav-Bariach still marks פלדלת as its brand.

The difference

Not every steel entrance door is a פלדלת. Generic words are דלת פלדה, דלת ביטחון or דלת כניסה.

Common mistake

Do not assume a door called פלדלת is made by Rav-Bariach; check the branding.

On the label or sign

פוליסטירן מוקצף: expanded polystyrene

קלקרPolystyrene foam

kalkar

US English

Expanded polystyrene, EPS; often Styrofoam

UK English

Expanded polystyrene, EPS; often polystyrene

What it is

קלקר comes from the Israeli company name קל־קר and is used for expanded polystyrene: white bead-textured boards, packing forms and cool boxes.

The difference

קלקר is a material word, not a reliable maker's name. English Styrofoam is itself a brand, which DuPont uses for XPS insulation, not ordinary EPS packaging.

Common mistake

Do not rely on קלקר when the material matters; ask for פוליסטירן מוקצף.

כספומטATM

kaspomat

US English

ATM

UK English

Cashpoint; cash machine

What it is

כספומט began as a banking service name and is now the Hebrew Academy's listed term for an automated teller machine.

The difference

Unlike the other words on this page, כספומט is now the normal formal Hebrew word.

Common mistake

Do not avoid כספומט as slang; כספומט is the standard word for an ATM.

On the label or sign

נייר דבק שקוף: clear tape

סלוטייפClear sticky tape

selotayp

US English

Clear adhesive tape

UK English

Sticky tape; Sellotape

What it is

סלוטייפ comes from the British Sellotape brand, but in Israel סלוטייפ usually means clear office tape from any maker.

The difference

סלוטייפ does not have to be genuine Sellotape, and does not cover every packing, masking or double-sided tape.

Common mistake

Do not ask for סלוטייפ when you need packing or masking tape; name the type.

On the label or sign

ממו דביק: sticky memo
פתקיות דביקות: sticky notes

פוסט־איטSticky note

post-it

US English

Sticky note

UK English

Sticky note

What it is

Post-it is 3M's brand, and Israelis use פוסט־איט for any sticky note. Competing pads are sold as ממו דביק, פתקיות דביקות or מזכריות.

The difference

A sticky note called פוסט־איט is not necessarily a 3M product; color and size do not prove the brand.

Common mistake

Do not search a shop site only for פוסט־איט; also search ממו דביק.

On the label or sign

פראצטמול: paracetamol

אקמולParacetamol brand

akamol

US English

Acetaminophen brand

UK English

Paracetamol brand

What it is

Acamol is a Teva brand widely used as shorthand for paracetamol. One current Acamol product contains 500 mg paracetamol, and other brands such as Dexamol sell the same active ingredient.

The difference

אקמול is not a word for any painkiller. Ibuprofen, dipyrone and combination cold products are different drugs, and some brand-family products add other ingredients.

Common mistake

Do not choose by the name אקמול alone; read the active ingredient, פראצטמול, the strength and the leaflet.

On the label or sign

ג׳ל פטרוליום: petroleum jelly

וזליןPetroleum jelly

vazelin

US English

Petroleum jelly; Vaseline brand

UK English

Same as US

What it is

Vaseline is a brand, and Hebrew also uses וזלין for petroleum jelly. Competing jars may be labeled ג׳ל פטרוליום or פטרולטום.

The difference

וזלין may mean the substance or the brand. Not every greasy ointment is petroleum jelly.

Common mistake

Do not assume a jar is petroleum jelly from the word וזלין; check the ingredients.

On the label or sign

ממחטות נייר: facial tissues

קלינקסFacial tissues

klinex

US English

Facial tissue; Kleenex brand

UK English

Tissue; Kleenex brand

What it is

Kleenex is a current brand and a common shorthand for facial tissues. Shelves list Kleenex beside competing ממחטות נייר or טישו.

The difference

A box called קלינקס is not necessarily Kleenex. טישו is another broad loanword and may also appear on toilet paper.

Common mistake

Do not grab any pack labeled טישו for your nose; look for ממחטות נייר.

On the label or sign

אמבט עיסוי: jetted bathtub
ספא מתנפח: inflatable spa

ג׳קוזיHot tub

jakuzi

US English

Hot tub; whirlpool bath; Jacuzzi brand

UK English

Same as US

What it is

Jacuzzi is still a brand for whirlpool baths and spas, but Israeli usage applies ג׳קוזי to the whole category. Shops label inflatable spas from other makers ג׳קוזי.

The difference

A product listed as ג׳קוזי is not necessarily made by Jacuzzi. A jetted bathtub, an outdoor spa and a pool are different products.

Common mistake

Do not rely on ג׳קוזי when specifications matter; ask for אמבט עיסוי or ספא מתנפח.

On the label or sign

בקבוק תרמי: insulated bottle

תרמוסVacuum flask

termos

US English

Vacuum flask; insulated bottle

UK English

Same as US

What it is

Thermos is an active brand, while Israeli shops use תרמוס for insulated bottles, jugs and food containers from many makers.

The difference

A תרמוס is not necessarily Thermos-brand, and the word does not say whether it is a drink bottle, pump jug or food jar.

Common mistake

Do not ask only for a תרמוס; look for בקבוק תרמי and the capacity.

On the label or sign

רכב שטח: off-road vehicle

ג׳יפSUV or 4x4

jip

US English

Jeep; colloquially SUV or 4x4

UK English

Jeep; colloquially 4x4 or SUV

What it is

Jeep is a vehicle brand, while Israeli Hebrew widely uses ג׳יפ for off-road vehicles and even crossovers. ג׳יפון often means a small crossover.

The difference

A Toyota ג׳יפ is a Toyota SUV, not a Jeep-brand vehicle. A ג׳יפון says little about off-road ability.

Common mistake

Do not assume a ג׳יפ is a Jeep; check the badge, or use רכב שטח for an off-road vehicle.

Older Or Fading Words

On the label or sign

מקרר: refrigerator

פריג׳ידרFridge (dated)

frijider

US English

Refrigerator

UK English

Fridge

What it is

פריג׳ידר comes from Frigidaire, which still sells refrigerators as a brand. The normal current Hebrew word is מקרר.

The difference

פריג׳ידר is strongly generational and dated, and does not mean a Frigidaire appliance.

Common mistake

Do not teach yourself פריג׳ידר as the modern word; say מקרר.

On the label or sign

קטנוע: scooter

וספהScooter (older use)

vespa

US English

Scooter

UK English

Scooter

What it is

Vespa is Piaggio's active scooter brand, and older Hebrew used וספה for any scooter. The neutral word is קטנוע.

The difference

The generic use of וספה is less common today. A motorcycle, moped and scooter are different legal and technical categories.

Common mistake

Do not call any scooter a וספה in a formal context; say קטנוע.

On the label or sign

זימונית: pager, neutral word

איתוריתPager (historical)

iturit

US English

Pager

UK English

Pager; bleeper

What it is

איתורית was a commercial name that Hebrew dictionaries record as a general word for a pager. The neutral Hebrew term is זימונית.

The difference

איתורית is mainly historical, because consumer pagers are no longer an everyday product.

Common mistake

Do not present איתורית as current technology; use זימונית if you need the word.

Everyday word	Neutral label	Keep in mind
Titul (diaper)	חיתול חד־פעמיchitul chad pa'ami	Shelf label: חיתולים.
Skotch (scourer)	כרית קרצוףkarit kirtzuf	Cleaning aisle.
Skotch (fastener)	צמדןtzamdan	Sewing and hardware.
Tipex (correction fluid)	נוזל מחיקהnozel mechika	סרט תיקון for tape.
Pelefon (mobile phone)	טלפון ניידtelefon nayad	Or just נייד.
Artik or kartiv	שלגוןshilgon	Check חלבי or פרווה.
Nes kafe	קפה נמסkafe names	Instant coffee.
Akamol	פראצטמולparatsetamol	Read the active ingredient.
Pladelet	דלת פלדהdelet plada	Steel door.
Kalkar	פוליסטירן מוקצףpolistiren muktzaf	Expanded polystyrene.
Klinex	ממחטות ניירmimchatot neyar	Facial tissues.
Frijider	מקררmekarer	The normal modern word.

Mix-Ups to Avoid

The Big Four

טיטולDisposable diaper

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

סקוטשScouring pad

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

סקוץ׳ / צמדןHook-and-loop fastener

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

טיפקסCorrection fluid or tape

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פלאפוןMobile phone

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Food, Drink And Baby

ארטיקIce-cream bar

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

קרטיבIce pop

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

קוואקרOats

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

נס קפהInstant coffee

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

במבהPeanut puffs

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

סוכרזיתTabletop sweetener

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מטרנהInfant formula brand

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

טרופיתDrink pouch (historical)

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Home, Office And Health

פלדלתSteel security door

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

קלקרPolystyrene foam

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

כספומטATM

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

סלוטייפClear sticky tape

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פוסט־איטSticky note

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אקמולParacetamol brand

What it is

The difference

Common mistake