What does דיבל mean in an Israeli hardware store?

דיבל usually means a wall anchor or wall plug placed in a drilled hole so a screw can grip. A woodworking dowel is specifically דיבל עץ.

Does בורג mean screw or bolt?

בורג can mean screw or bolt. The correct English name depends on the point, head, thread and whether the fastener uses a nut.

Can I paint over סיליקון?

Most varieties of סיליקון are not paintable. Ask for מסטיק אקרילי for a paintable, low-movement interior gap that will not have continuous wet exposure.

Is אטם another word for sealant?

No. אטם means a gasket or sealing component between parts. A cartridge of flexible silicone sealant is סיליקון.

What is a טמבוריה?

A טמבוריה is a small neighborhood shop for paint, fasteners, plumbing parts, sealants and household repair items. A טמבוריה may not carry the inventory of a large home-improvement center.

Israeli Hardware Store Guide: Hebrew Terms

The Shop

On the label or sign

טמבוריה: Neighborhood hardware and paint shop

טמבוריהNeighborhood hardware shop

tamburiya

US English

Neighborhood hardware and paint shop

UK English

Neighbourhood hardware and paint shop

What it is

A טמבוריה is a small shop that sells paint, fasteners, plumbing parts, sealants and household repair items.

The difference

A טמבוריה may carry paint branding or paint signs without being owned by the paint company. A small טמבוריה may not have the inventory of a large home-improvement center.

Common mistake

Do not expect every טמבוריה to stock the same range as a large home-improvement center.

Wall Fixings

On the label or sign

דיבל: Wall anchor or wall plug

דיבלWall anchor or wall plug

dibel

US English

Wall anchor

UK English

Wall plug

What it is

A דיבל is an insert placed in a drilled hole so a screw can grip masonry, block or another substrate. Plastic plugs are commonly sold as 6, 7 or 8 mm, and specialist forms exist for plasterboard.

The difference

The usual hardware-store meaning of דיבל is a wall fixing, not a woodworking dowel. Package color alone does not identify the right fixing.

Common mistake

Choose a דיבל from the wall material, cavity, screw diameter, object and required load, rather than color alone.

Drywall anchors, one screwed into plasterboard, dibel le-gevs

On the label or sign

דיבל נפתח: Expanding anchor
דיבל קודח עצמי: Self-drilling anchor
רוזטה לגבס: Plasterboard rosette fixing

דיבל לגבסDrywall anchor

dibel le-geves

US English

Drywall anchor

UK English

Plasterboard fixing

What it is

A דיבל לגבס is an anchor designed for gypsum board.

The difference

A דיבל לגבס is made for hollow plasterboard rather than ordinary masonry.

Common mistake

Do not use an ordinary masonry plug in hollow plasterboard.

On the label or sign

דיבל עץ: Wood dowel

דיבל עץWood dowel

dibel etz

US English

Wood dowel

UK English

Wood dowel

What it is

A דיבל עץ is a grooved wooden pin used for furniture or joinery. Wood dowels are short wooden cylinders labeled by diameter and length.

The difference

A דיבל עץ joins wooden parts. A דיבל עץ is not a wall anchor for concrete.

Common mistake

Do not buy a דיבל עץ to anchor a shelf to a concrete wall.

On the label or sign

עוגן חץ: Arrow anchor

עוגןAnchor

ogen

US English

Anchor

UK English

Anchor

What it is

An עוגן is a general name for a stronger anchoring device. The correct type depends on the substrate and load.

The difference

The English word anchor does not identify one standard product. Anchors include different mechanical fixing forms.

Common mistake

Do not order an עוגן without describing the substrate and required load.

On the label or sign

ג׳מבו: Expansion anchor
עוגן ג׳מבו: Jumbo expansion anchor

ג׳מבו / עוגן ג׳מבוExpansion anchor

jumbo / ogen jumbo

US English

Expansion anchor or sleeve anchor

UK English

Expansion anchor or sleeve anchor

What it is

A ג׳מבו or עוגן ג׳מבו is a metal anchor that expands in a drilled hole when tightened. The fitting may have a bolt, eye or hook and comes in multiple sizes.

The difference

An עוגן ג׳מבו is a specific metal expansion anchor rather than a generic wall plug.

Common mistake

Do not use an עוגן ג׳מבו in an unsuitable hollow or weak wall.

Fasteners and Tools

On the label or sign

בורג: Screw or bolt

בורגScrew or bolt

boreg

US English

Screw or bolt

UK English

Screw or bolt

What it is

A בורג is a threaded fastener. The exact English name depends on the point, head, thread and whether the fastener uses a nut.

The difference

The general word בורג can mean either screw or bolt. The word בורג does not provide a complete specification.

Common mistake

Give the diameter, length, head and application instead of asking only for a בורג.

On the label or sign

בורג סיבית: Chipboard or wood screw

בורג סיביתChipboard or wood screw

boreg sibit

US English

Chipboard or wood screw

UK English

Chipboard or wood screw

What it is

A בורג סיבית is a screw for wood, chipboard and furniture boards. In a size such as 4×40, the first number is the diameter and the second is the length in millimeters.

The difference

A size such as 4×40 gives metric dimensions. The numbers do not show quantity or imperial sizing.

Common mistake

Read 4×40 as diameter by length in millimeters, not as a quantity.

On the label or sign

שפיץ: Pointed
קודח: Drill-point or self-drilling

בורג גבסDrywall screw

boreg geves

US English

Drywall screw

UK English

Plasterboard screw

What it is

A בורג גבס is a black screw for plasterboard systems. Pointed and self-drilling forms exist for different framing.

The difference

A בורג גבס is selected for a plasterboard system rather than treated as a universal structural screw.

Common mistake

Do not use a בורג גבס as a universal structural screw.

On the label or sign

בורג פח קודח: Self-drilling sheet-metal screw

בורג פחSheet-metal screw

boreg pakh

US English

Sheet-metal screw

UK English

Sheet-metal screw

What it is

A בורג פח is a screw for thin metal. Sheet-metal screws may be ordinary or self-drilling.

The difference

A בורג פח is made for thin metal, even when a wood screw has a similar length.

Common mistake

Do not confuse a בורג פח with a wood screw of similar length.

A Phillips screw and an Allen screw side by side

On the label or sign

בורג פיליפס: Phillips-head screw

בורג פיליפסPhillips-head screw

boreg Phillips

US English

Phillips-head screw

UK English

Phillips-head screw

What it is

A בורג פיליפס is a screw described by its cross-head drive type.

The difference

The name פיליפס identifies the drive recess. The name does not identify the substrate, material or application.

Common mistake

Do not use פיליפס alone as the full specification for a screw.

On the label or sign

מפתח אלן: Hex key

בורג אלןHex-key screw

boreg Allen

US English

Socket-head or hex-key screw

UK English

Socket-head or hex-key screw

What it is

A בורג אלן is a screw or bolt driven through an internal hexagonal recess with a hex key.

The difference

A בורג אלן needs a hex key rather than a flat or Phillips screwdriver.

Common mistake

Ask for a מפתח אלן instead of trying to drive a בורג אלן with the wrong screwdriver.

A nut and a washer on a bolt, om and shayba

On the label or sign

אום כנף: Wing nut

אוםNut

US English

Nut

UK English

Nut

What it is

An אום is an internally threaded fastener used with a compatible bolt or threaded rod. Nuts may have metric or imperial sizes.

The difference

An אום must match the thread specification, not just the approximate diameter.

Common mistake

Match an אום by thread specification instead of approximate diameter.

On the label or sign

שייבה: Washer
דסקית: Washer

שייבה / דסקיתWasher

shayba / diskit

US English

Washer

UK English

Washer

What it is

A שייבה or דסקית is a flat component placed under a screw or bolt head or under a nut. The material and function vary.

The difference

A washer may be metal, rubber or a specialist form. Not every rubber seal is a washer, and not every washer is a gasket.

Common mistake

Describe the material and function instead of using washer and gasket as interchangeable names.

A pile of steel nails and a hammer, masmer

On the label or sign

מסמר: Nail

מסמרNail

masmer

US English

Nail

UK English

Nail

What it is

A מסמר is a smooth or specially formed fastener driven by impact rather than threaded in. Nails are sold by type and length.

The difference

A מסמר is driven in rather than screwed in, so a nail is not the same as a removable or load-rated screw fixing.

Common mistake

Do not ask for a מסמר when the job needs a removable or load-rated screw fixing.

On the label or sign

וו פתוח: Open hook
וו סגור: Closed hook
וו לדיבל 7: Hook for a 7 mm wall plug

ווHook

vav

US English

Hook

UK English

Hook

What it is

A וו is an open, closed or screw-in hanging fitting that is often paired with a wall plug.

The difference

Hooks have different forms and load capacities. The general word וו does not specify the load capacity.

Common mistake

Do not assume every וו has the same load capacity.

A masonry drill bit beside other bits, makde'akh

On the label or sign

מקדח: Drill bit

מקדחDrill bit

makde'akh

US English

Drill bit

UK English

Drill bit

What it is

A מקדח is a cutting bit selected for concrete or masonry, metal, wood or another material. Drill bits are sized in millimeters, and the shank may be standard or SDS.

The difference

Matching only the diameter can leave you with the wrong bit material or shank type.

Common mistake

Match a מקדח by material, diameter and shank type.

Two screwdrivers crossed on a bench, mavreg

On the label or sign

שטוח: Flat

מברגScrewdriver

mavreg

US English

Screwdriver

UK English

Screwdriver

What it is

A מברג is a hand driver. Drive types include flat, Phillips, Pozidriv and others.

The difference

A similar-looking driver can damage the screw head when the drive type does not match.

Common mistake

Match the מברג drive exactly to the screw head.

On the label or sign

מברגה: Drill-driver or powered screwdriver

מברגהDrill-driver

mavrega

US English

Drill-driver or powered screwdriver

UK English

Drill-driver or powered screwdriver

What it is

A מברגה is a powered tool for driving screws and, depending on the model, drilling. A drill-driver may have an adjustable clutch and a chuck or bit holder.

The difference

A מברגה is not necessarily equivalent to a hammer drill for reinforced concrete.

Common mistake

Do not assume every מברגה can do the work of a hammer drill in reinforced concrete.

On the label or sign

פטישון: Rotary hammer or SDS drill

פטישוןRotary hammer

patishon

US English

Rotary hammer or SDS drill

UK English

Rotary hammer or SDS drill

What it is

A פטישון is an impact drilling tool for masonry or concrete. A rotary hammer has an SDS chuck and hammer modes.

The difference

A פטישון may need SDS bits rather than ordinary round-shank bits.

Common mistake

Check the chuck before buying bits for a פטישון.

Sealants and Fillers

A caulking gun with silicone and a bead of sealant, silikon

On the label or sign

סיליקון: Silicone sealant

סיליקוןSilicone sealant

silikon

US English

Silicone sealant

UK English

Silicone sealant

What it is

סיליקון is a flexible sealant for joints around sinks, showers, glass and other compatible surfaces. White and clear cartridges are common, and most varieties are not paintable.

The difference

סיליקון is not interchangeable with paintable acrylic caulk, tile grout or a replaceable gasket.

Common mistake

Do not use סיליקון where the sealed joint must later be painted.

On the label or sign

סיליקון סניטרי: Sanitary silicone

סיליקון סניטריSanitary silicone

silikon sanitari

US English

Sanitary silicone

UK English

Sanitary silicone

What it is

סיליקון סניטרי is silicone formulated for wet sanitary areas. Product sheets may state mold resistance, and white or clear versions are common.

The difference

Sanitary silicone is intended for wet sanitary areas, but the surface still needs proper preparation.

Common mistake

Do not apply סיליקון סניטרי over mold, soap residue or failed loose sealant without preparation.

On the label or sign

אקדח סיליקון: Caulking gun or sealant gun

אקדח סיליקוןCaulking gun

ekdakh silikon

US English

Caulking gun or sealant gun

UK English

Caulking gun or sealant gun

What it is

An אקדח סיליקון is a mechanical applicator for sealant cartridges. The applicator has an open metal or plastic frame and a trigger.

The difference

A standard cartridge needs an applicator when the product is not supplied as a squeeze tube.

Common mistake

Do not buy a standard cartridge without an אקדח סיליקון unless the product is a squeeze tube.

An acrylic caulk cartridge and a bead along a skirting board, mastik akrili

On the label or sign

ניתן לצביעה: Can be painted

מסטיק אקריליAcrylic caulk

mastik akrili

US English

Acrylic caulk

UK English

Decorator's caulk

What it is

מסטיק אקרילי is a paintable, water-based filler and sealant for low-movement interior gaps around frames, skirting and walls. Acrylic caulk is not intended for continuous wet exposure.

The difference

מסטיק אקרילי can be painted, unlike most silicone sealants. Acrylic caulk is not shower silicone.

Common mistake

Do not use מסטיק אקרילי as shower silicone.

Grey tile grout with a rubber float, roba

On the label or sign

רובה: Tile grout

רובהTile grout

roba

US English

Tile grout

UK English

Tile grout

What it is

רובה is material used to fill joints between tiles. Acrylic or cementitious grout and epoxy grout have different properties.

The difference

רובה fills tile joints. Tile grout is not a flexible sealant for movement joints.

Common mistake

Do not use רובה as a flexible movement-joint sealant.

Wall filler and a putty knife, shpachtel

On the label or sign

שפכטל אמריקאי: Wall-finishing compound

שפכטלFiller or putty knife

shpachtel

US English

Filler or putty; also a putty knife

UK English

Filler or putty; also a filling knife

What it is

שפכטל is a context-dependent word for wall-filling compound or the flat-bladed tool used to apply filler.

The difference

The word שפכטל can name either the material or the tool.

Common mistake

Say whether you need the שפכטל compound or the שפכטל tool.

Plumbing Seals

Rubber washers and a gasket, atam and gumiya

On the label or sign

אטם: Gasket or seal

אטםGasket or seal

atam

US English

Gasket or seal

UK English

Gasket or seal

What it is

An אטם is a component that seals a connection between parts. Plumbing examples include flat tap seals, meter gaskets and cistern-to-toilet seals.

The difference

An אטם is a replaceable sealing component rather than the generic name for a cartridge of sealant.

Common mistake

Check whether the failed part is an אטם before buying liquid sealant.

On the label or sign

גומייה: Small rubber washer or gasket

גומייהRubber washer or gasket

gumiya

US English

Rubber washer or gasket

UK English

Rubber washer or gasket

What it is

גומייה is a colloquial plumbing name for a small rubber sealing ring. The literal meaning can also be rubber band.

The difference

The word גומייה alone does not identify the diameter, profile or plumbing application.

Common mistake

Take the old גומייה or the exact diameter and profile to the shop.

White thread-seal tape wound on a pipe thread, seret teflon

On the label or sign

סרט טפלון: PTFE thread-seal tape

סרט טפלוןPTFE thread-seal tape

seret teflon

US English

PTFE thread-seal tape

UK English

PTFE thread-seal tape

What it is

סרט טפלון is thin tape wrapped on compatible threaded plumbing connections. The tape is sold on a small white spool.

The difference

סרט טפלון seals compatible pipe threads. PTFE tape does not replace every flat gasket or compression seal.

Common mistake

Do not use סרט טפלון as a substitute for every flat gasket or compression seal.

English term	Ask for	Keep in mind
Wall anchor or wall plug	דיבלdibel	Match the wall material, cavity, screw and load.
Drywall anchor	דיבל לגבסdibel le-geves	Designed for gypsum board.
Wood dowel	דיבל עץdibel etz	A wooden pin for furniture or joinery.
Expansion anchor	ג׳מבו / עוגן ג׳מבוjumbo / ogen jumbo	A metal anchor that expands when tightened.
Chipboard or wood screw	בורג סיביתboreg sibit	Give the diameter and length in millimeters.
Drywall screw	בורג גבסboreg geves	Ask whether you need pointed or self-drilling.
Silicone sealant	סיליקוןsilikon	Flexible, and most varieties are not paintable.
Acrylic caulk	מסטיק אקריליmastik akrili	Paintable filler for low-movement interior gaps.
Tile grout	רובהroba	Fills joints between tiles.
Gasket or seal	אטםatam	A component that seals between parts.
PTFE thread-seal tape	סרט טפלוןseret teflon	For compatible threaded plumbing connections.

Mix-Ups to Avoid

The Shop

טמבוריהNeighborhood hardware shop

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Wall Fixings

דיבלWall anchor or wall plug

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

דיבל לגבסDrywall anchor

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

דיבל עץWood dowel

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

עוגןAnchor

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ג׳מבו / עוגן ג׳מבוExpansion anchor

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Fasteners and Tools

בורגScrew or bolt

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

בורג סיביתChipboard or wood screw

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

בורג גבסDrywall screw

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

בורג פחSheet-metal screw

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

בורג פיליפסPhillips-head screw

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

בורג אלןHex-key screw

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אוםNut

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

שייבה / דסקיתWasher

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מסמרNail

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ווHook

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מקדחDrill bit

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מברגScrewdriver

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מברגהDrill-driver

What it is

The difference

Common mistake