Pimsleur Hebrew: Part 1: Unit 1

Pimsleur Hebrew part 1Good morning/afternoon/evening,
I have decided to go through Pimsleur Hebrew once again and try to write down some “useful” notes. I thought I would post those notes here so those of you out there who are taking Pimsleur Hebrew could benefit most from it.
If you find mistakes, please do correct me.
Here we go…
Transliteration of the main dialogue:
Man: Slicha, at mvina anglit?
Woman:Lo, ani lo mvina anglit.
Man: Ani mvin ktsat ivrit.
Woman: Atta americai?
Man: Ken, ani americai.
Here are the words we are asked to repeat:
Excuse me: סליחה = slicha
English: אנגלית = anglit
Understand: מבינה (to a woman)
You understand (to a woman): את מבינה = at mvina
You (to a woman): את = at
Note here that unlike English, Hebrew does differentiate between male and female forms of verbs. So when a man says “I understand” he would say it in a different way than a woman. And also when you talk to a man and say “You understand” you would say it differently if you were talking to a woman.
You understand English (to a woman): את מבינה אנגלית
Do you understand (to a woman of course):  את מבינה?
More phrases:
No: לא = lo
A man says I understand: אני מבין = ani mvin
Note that “ani” means I whether it is said by a man or a woman. And the difference between understand for a man and a woman is just one letter, the h at the end.
I understand English (a man saying): אני מבין = ani mvin.
I understand (a man saying) אני מבין = ani mvin.
I don’t understand (a woman saying) : אני לא מבינה = ani lo mvina
Note that to say “don’t” or “not” we say “no” instead.
More phrases:
Hebrew : עברית = ivrit.
A little: קצת = ktsat
American: אמריקאי = americai
Note that though “I” doesn’t change for male and female speakers, “you” does change when you to a man or a woman:
You (to a man) אתה = atta
you (to a woman) את = at
I understand a little: אני מבין קצת = ani mvin ktsat
I understand a little Hebrew: אני מבין קצת עברית = ani mvin ktsat ivrit.
See you in unit 2

3 thoughts on “Pimsleur Hebrew: Part 1: Unit 1”

  1. Hi,
    I have started in-cooperating Pimsleur in a language course that I run, giving them the audio to hear at home and practice. It is a great way to learn.
    I found your transcriptions excellent and very useful to help plan the lessons.
    Is there a chance you can transcript lessons 4-6?
    Thank you very much.

    1. Hey thanks,
      I’ll try my best. Can’t promise, though. Been very busy with my new-born dog and exams.
      Cheers,
      Adam

  2. These notes are awesome.
    Have you considered doing more?
    I would even be willing to pay you for them.
    They are most helpful.

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