Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Thank someone
• Method 2 of 2: Different variations on Thanks
• Tips

Do you want to make Israeli friends? Are you going on a trip to the Holy Land? Or are you simply trying to boost your international vocabulary? Fortunately, it is incredibly easy to thank someone in Hebrew, even if you don't speak a word of the language. The most important expression you need is toda, which is pronounced toh-DAH.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Thank someone

1. Say toh. The most common way to thank someone is with the word toda (תודה). The first syllable resembles that in the Dutch word toffee.
   • Try to use both your tongue and your lips to give the word a slight oe sound. The syllable should not be like to sound, but not quite like the first part of toffee.
2. Say dah. The second syllable of toda starts with a standard d. Some Hebrew speakers pronounce the a sound as the a in English apple.
   • Try to keep your mouth slightly open when you pronounce this syllable. Make the sound in the middle or back of your mouth (not in the front) to achieve the perfect result.
3. Pronounce the word in its entirety with the accent on dah.Toda is, as it were, pronounced as toh-DAH, with the stress on the second syllable. A good example of how the word should be pronounced can be found on Omniglot.
   • It is very important to stress the second syllable of the word. If you don't and TOH-dah says, the word will sound strange and people will not understand you. That would also happen, for example, if someone spoke thanks as Thanks would pronounce.
4. Use this word as a general way of saying thank you. The word toda is very widely used in Hebrew. You can use it in almost any situation. Say it, for example, if a waiter brings you food, but also if someone gives you a compliment or someone helps you.
   • One of the great things about the Hebrew language is that there are no strict rules about the use of words in formal and informal situations. You can toda say to your best friend, but also to the CEO of a large company; it does not matter!

Method 2 of 2: Different variations on Thanks

1. Use toda raba (תודה רבה) to Thank you so much to say. The basic word toda is ideal for everyday situations, but sometimes you want to thank someone just a little more. In that case toda raba a good choice. This means something like Thank you so much or thank you very much.
   • The expression is pronounced toh-DAH rah-BAH. Toda is pronounced the same as above. The r in raba is very subtle and is formed in the back of the throat. It resembles the French r (in for example au revoir).
   • The emphasis of raba is on the second syllable Bah (just like in toe-DAH).
2. You can also say thank you very much rav todot (רב תודות) say. This means about the same as toda raba. However, this word is used much less.
   • You pronounce this expression as roev toh-DOT. The r is again pronounced in French.
3. Use if you are male ani mode lecha (אני מודה לך). Hebrew does not differentiate between formal and informal situations, but if you can thank someone in a very polite, formal way, you can use gender-specific grammar. This expression is used when the speaker is male. It does not matter whether the person to whom it is said is a man or a woman.
   • This expression is pronounced ah-NIE moh-DEH leh-HAH. The hardest part of the phrase is the hah at the end. This one doesn't sound like the ha which is used in Dutch to laugh. The first h sounds raspy and resembles an r that is formed in the back of the throat. The same sound is used in Hebrew words like Chanukah, chutzpah and so on.
4. Use if you are female ani moda laugh (אני מודה לך). The meaning of this phrase is exactly the same as in the male version. The only difference is that this composition is only used by women. The gender of the person you are talking to again does not matter.
   • The expression is pronounced ah-NIE moh-DAH lahh. The last sound is again the raspy h out chutzpah. Moreover, the second word of the expression does not end in one dah and not one the H.

Tips

• If someone thanks you in Hebrew, you can reply with bevakasha (בבקשה). This roughly means you're welcome. The expression is pronounced bev-ah-kah-SHAH.
• Say tov, toda (טוב, תודה) when someone asks how you are. This means something like fine, thank you. Tov is pronounced roughly as it is written and rhymes with slav.