Have a new friend from Israel? Will visit there? Or just trying to expand your international vocabulary? Fortunately, learning to say "thank you" in Hebrew is easy even if you don't know any other words in the language. The most important thank you phrase for you to know is " toda, " is pronounced with " toe-DAH."
Step
Method 1 of 2: Learn Basic "Thank You" Greetings
Step 1. Say "toe
" In Hebrew, the simplest and most common way of saying "thank you" is "toda" (תודה). The first syllable is very similar to the English word "toe".
Try to pronounce it with your lips and tongue at the front of your mouth to make a small "oo" sound. You don't want to say the word "too," but it shouldn't sound like "oh" either
Step 2. Say "yes
" The second syllable in "toda" uses the standard d sound in English and rhymes slightly with "raw." Some Hebrew speakers pronounce it in a short sound (like the a in "apple").
Try opening your mouth slightly when you pronounce the syllable. Say it in the middle or back of your mouth (not with your lips in front) for the perfect tone of voice
Step 3. Put everything together by stressing the syllable "bye
" Basically "toda" is pronounced as " toe-DAH, " with emphasis on the second syllable. Examples of proper pronunciation and emphasis can be found in the Omniglot.
This is important - stressing the first syllable ("TOE-dah") makes the word sound weird and makes your speech difficult to understand. Like pronouncing the word "enough" in English as "EE-nuff," not "ee-NUFF."
Step 4. Use this word to say "thank you" in all circumstances
In Hebrew, "toda" is very, very commonly used. You can use it to say thank you in any situation. For example, when you are served food, when someone compliments you, or when someone helps you.
One of the most beautiful things about Hebrew is that there are no strict rules about what words to use in formal and informal situations (such as, for example, Spanish). You can say "toda" to your sister or the CEO of the company you work for - no problem
Method 2 of 2: Learn Variations of Saying "Thank You"
Step 1. Say "toda raba" (תודה) to say "thank you very much
" While the word "toda" can be used as an everyday thank you, sometimes you want to express how grateful you are for something. In this case, try saying "toda touch," which is more or less the same as "thank you very much" or "thank you very much."
- This phrase is pronounced with " toe-DAH ruh-BAH." "Toda" is pronounced exactly as above. The r in "raba" is pronounced very softly in the back of the throat. It's very similar to the French r (as in "au revoir").
- Also note that the emphasis is placed on the "bah" syllable in "raba" (as in "toe-DAH").
Step 2. Alternatively, say "rav todot" (רב) to say "Thank you very much
" The meaning here is more or less the same as "touch finger".
This phrase is pronounced as " ruv toe-DOT." Remember to pronounce the r gently as in French, i.e. in the back of the throat, not like the English r.
Step 3. Say "ani mode lecha" (אני לך) if you're a guy
While Hebrew doesn't have strict grammar rules and word choices for formal situations, if you want to say thank you in a very polite and formal way, you can use gender-specific grammar. This particular phrase is used when the speaker is male. The gender of the person being thanked doesn't matter.
This phrase is pronounced with " ah-NEE moe-DEH leh-HHAHThe hardest sound here is the "hah" at the end. It doesn't sound like the English "ha" used for laughing. The first h is hoarse, almost like an r coming out of the back of the throat. used in traditional Hebrew words such as "Chanukah," "chutzpah," and so on.
Step 4. Say "ani moda lach" (אני לך) if you are a woman
The meaning is exactly the same as the phrase above. The only difference is that this word is used by women. Again, the gender of the person you're thanking doesn't matter.
" ah-NEE moe-DAH lahh. Here, we end "lach" with the sound of the letter h in the word "chutzpah" as described above. Also note that the second word in this phrase ends in a "bye" sound, not a "deh".
Tips
- If someone thanks you in Hebrew, you can reply by saying "bevakasha" (בבקשה), which means thank you again, or "you're welcome" in English. This word is pronounced as " bev-uh-kuh-SHAH.
- Say "tov, toda" (טוב,) when someone asks how you're doing. This sentence is more or less the same as "good, thank you" or "fine, thank you" in English. "Tov" is pronounced more or less the same way it's written - it rhymes with "slav."
