Kombina is one of the most salient features of Israeli society. In order to survive in this country, one needs to fend for oneself, using all possible means: Contacts, resourcefulness and creative ideas. Some Israelis say we are even ‘Medinat Kombina’, a ‘kombina’ state. So how do you use this word, and how can you even turn it into a verb?

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New Words and Expressions:

Kombina, kombinot – Connections, shady business – קומבינה

Kombinator – A person with a shady business; Someone who knows how to ‘get by’ – קומבינטור

Tizaharu she-lo tekablu shi’ur be-kombina – Make sure you don’t get a lesson in kombina – תיזהרו שלא תקבלו שיעור בקומבינה

Ta’ase kombina – Use your contacts; Be resourceful – תעשה קומבינה

Kimbanti alcohol – I got the alcohol ‘somehow’ – קימבנתי אלכוהול

Lekamben – To get something using tricks and connections – לקמבן

Lehitkamben – To sort yourself out; to sit pretty – להתקמבן

“Eich hitkambanta al ha-mechonit ha-zot” – What did you have to do in order to get this car? – איך התקמבנת על המכונית הזאת

Playlist and Clips:

Axum – Kombina (lyrics)

Tamir Kimchi & Eyal Mazig – Medinat Kombina (lyrics)

Imagine this: You are walking your dog in the ‘Viv and, out of nowhere, someone comes up to you, clearly wanting to speak about something important. Their lips are moving. They are saying something. What are they likely to say to a dog owner like you?

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New Words and Expressions:

Zachar o nekava? – Is it male or female? – זכר או נקבה

Ben kama hu / bat kama hi? – How old is he/she? – בן כמה הוא, בת כמה היא

Hi bat arba / Hu ben arba – She/He is four years old – היא בת ארבע, הוא בן ארבע

Eich korim lo? Eich korim la? – What’s her name, what’s his name? – איך קוראים לו, איך קוראים לה

Efshar latet lo / la hatif? – May I give him/her a treat? – אפשר לתת לו/לה חטיף

Ginat klavim – Dog park – גינת כלבים

Tiyul aroch – Long walk – טיול ארוך

Hu noshech? Hi noshechet? – Does he bite, does she bite? – הוא נושך, היא נושכת

Efshar lelatef? – May I pet your dog? – אפשר ללטף

Kelev ze’ev – Wolfhound – כלב זאב

Geza, gza’im – Tree trunk, breed – גזע, גזעים

Eize geza hu/hi? – What breed is it? – איזה גזע הוא/היא

Ze kelev giz’ee? – Is it a purebred, a pedigreed dog? – זה כלב גזעי

Hu/hi beseder im klavim acherim? – Is he/she okay with other dogs? – הוא/היא בסדר עם כלבים אחרים

Ken, betach – Yes, sure – כן, בטח

Ulai adif she’lo – Maybe it’s better not – אולי עדיף שלא

Playlist and Clips:

Ginat klavim – Dog park

Arik Einstein – Kama She-ratsiti Kelev (lyrics)

Ep. no. 198 about tarimu, pick up after your dogs HEB

Ep. no. 210 about hatifim, treats HEB

Ep. no. 349 about kalba tova, good dog HEB

Ep. no. 401 about Hebrew expressions with animals HEB

Let’s talk about trains in Hebrew. What’s the root of רכבת, and how is it related to horse riding? Also, what do we call the Jerusalem Light rail in Hebrew and in Arabic?

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New Words and Expressions:

Rakevet – Train – רכבת

Karon shakket – Quiet train car – קרון שקט

Lirkav al ofanyaim – To ride a bicycle – לרכב על אופניים

Nasati barakevet – I went by train – נסעתי ברכבת

Rokhev al sus – Riding a horse – רוכב על סוס

Rechiva al susim – Horse riding – רכיבה על סוסים

Rekhev – Vehicle – רכב

Ha-Rakevet ha-kala – The Light rail – הרכבת הקלה

Yeled katan – A little child – ילד קטן

Ha-yeled ha-katan – The little child – הילד הקטן

Hayeled katan – The child is little – הילד קטן

Katar – Locomotive – קטר

Kitor – Steam – קיטור

Playlist and Clips:

Rakevet Israel Announcement

Jerusalem light rail

Danny Robas – Rakavot (lyrics)

Ep. no. 30 about hafif HEB

Ep. no. 44 about lalechet, going HEB

Ep. 186 about linso’a Free HEB version