Welcome to Lesson 38 of our Modern Hebrew course, where we explore one of the most fundamental yet fascinating aspects of Hebrew grammar: the word “there.” English uses “there” in two distinct ways—as a locative adverb (”the book is there”) and as an existential marker (”there is a book”)—and Hebrew makes an even clearer distinction between these functions.
In Hebrew, יֵשׁ (yesh) serves as the existential marker meaning “there is” or “there are,” while שָׁם (sham) functions as the pure locative adverb meaning “there” (at that place). This lesson will help you master both uses and understand why Hebrew treats these concepts separately.
The Existential יֵשׁ (yesh): Hebrew has no direct equivalent to the English verb “to have.” Instead, it uses an existential construction with יֵשׁ combined with the preposition לְ (le- “to/for”). The literal meaning is “there exists to me,” which English translates as “I have.” For example: -
יֵשׁ לִי סֵפֶר (yesh li sefer) = literally “there-is to-me book” = “I have a book”
The word יֵשׁ is grammatically unique—it never conjugates or changes form. It remains יֵשׁ in all contexts. Its negative counterpart is אֵין (ein) “there isn’t/aren’t.”
The Locative שָׁם (sham): When you want to indicate a place (”over there,” “at that location”), Hebrew uses the adverb שָׁם. This is the spatial “there” that answers the question “where?” It contrasts with כָּאן (kan) “here.”
This dual system appears throughout this lesson’s 30 examples, showing you authentic Modern Hebrew usage in contexts ranging from everyday conversation to literary expression.
Course Index:
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FAQ Schema: Q: What does “there” mean in Modern Hebrew? A: Hebrew distinguishes between existential “there” (יֵשׁ - yesh, meaning “there is/are”) and locative “there” (שָׁם - sham, meaning “at that place”). The existential יֵשׁ is also used with prepositions to express possession (”I have” = “there is to me”).
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יֵשׁ (yesh) = existential “there is/there are” (also used for possession with לְ) -
אֵין (ein) = negative existential “there isn’t/aren’t” -
שָׁם (sham) = locative “there” (at that place) -
כָּאן (kan) = “here” (contrasts with שָׁם) -
Hebrew expresses possession through existence: “I have” = “there is to me” -
These forms never conjugate—they remain invariable in present tense
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38.1a יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is סֵפֶר (sefer) book עַל (al) on הַשֻּׁלְחָן (ha-shulḥan) the-table
38.1b yesh (yesh) there-is sefer (SEH-fer) book al (ahl) on ha-shulḥan (hah-shool-KHAHN) the-table
38.2a שָׁם (sham) there יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is בַּיִת (bayit) house גָּדוֹל (gadol) big
38.2b sham (shahm) there yesh (yesh) there-is bayit (BAH-yeet) house gadol (gah-DOHL) big
38.3a יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is לִי (li) to-me מַיִם (mayim) water
38.3b yesh (yesh) there-is li (lee) to-me mayim (MAH-yeem) water
38.4a אֵין (ein) there-isn’t שָׁם (sham) there אִישׁ (ish) man
38.4b ein (eyn) there-isn’t sham (shahm) there ish (eesh) man
38.5a יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is לָנוּ (lanu) to-us זְמַן (zman) time
38.5b yesh (yesh) there-is lanu (LAH-noo) to-us zman (z’MAHN) time
38.6a הַיֵּשׁ (ha-yesh) Q-there-is שָׁם (sham) there מִסְעָדָה (mis’ada) restaurant
38.6b ha-yesh (hah-YESH) Q-there-is sham (shahm) there mis’ada (mees-ah-DAH) restaurant
38.7a יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is לוֹ (lo) to-him שְׁתֵּי (shtei) two אֲחָיוֹת (aḥayot) sisters
38.7b yesh (yesh) there-is lo (loh) to-him shtei (sh’TAY) two aḥayot (ah-khah-YOHT) sisters
38.8a שָׁם (sham) there הָיָה (haya) was אֹרֶךְ (orekh) light
38.8b sham (shahm) there haya (hah-YAH) was orekh (OH-rekh) light
38.9a אֵין (ein) there-isn’t לָהּ (lah) to-her כֶּסֶף (kesef) money
38.9b ein (eyn) there-isn’t lah (lahh) to-her kesef (KEH-sef) money
38.10a יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is פֹּה (po) here אֲנָשִׁים (anashim) people רַבִּים (rabim) many
38.10b yesh (yesh) there-is po (poh) here anashim (ah-nah-SHEEM) people rabim (rah-BEEM) many
38.11a שָׁם (sham) there יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is גַּן (gan) garden יָפֶה (yafe) beautiful
38.11b sham (shahm) there yesh (yesh) there-is gan (gahn) garden yafe (yah-FEH) beautiful
38.12a אֵין (ein) there-isn’t שָׁם (sham) there דֶּרֶךְ (derekh) way אַחֵר (aḥer) other
38.12b ein (eyn) there-isn’t sham (shahm) there derekh (DEH-rekh) way aḥer (ah-KHEHR) other
38.13a יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is לָהֶם (lahem) to-them בְּעָיָה (be’aya) problem קְטַנָּה (ktana) small
38.13b yesh (yesh) there-is lahem (lah-HEM) to-them be’aya (beh-ah-YAH) problem ktana (k’tah-NAH) small
38.14a מָה (ma) what יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is שָׁם (sham) there
38.14b ma (mah) what yesh (yesh) there-is sham (shahm) there
38.15a יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is לָנוּ (lanu) to-us תִּקְוָה (tikva) hope גְּדוֹלָה (gdola) great
38.15b yesh (yesh) there-is lanu (LAH-noo) to-us tikva (teek-VAH) hope gdola (g’doh-LAH) great
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38.1 יֵשׁ סֵפֶר עַל הַשֻּׁלְחָן. Yesh sefer al ha-shulḥan. “There is a book on the table.”
38.2 שָׁם יֵשׁ בַּיִת גָּדוֹל. Sham yesh bayit gadol. “There is a big house there.”
38.3 יֵשׁ לִי מַיִם. Yesh li mayim. “I have water.” (lit. “There is to me water”)
38.4 אֵין שָׁם אִישׁ. Ein sham ish. “There isn’t anyone there.”
38.5 יֵשׁ לָנוּ זְמַן. Yesh lanu zman. “We have time.”
38.6 הַיֵּשׁ שָׁם מִסְעָדָה? Ha-yesh sham mis’ada? “Is there a restaurant there?”
38.7 יֵשׁ לוֹ שְׁתֵּי אֲחָיוֹת. Yesh lo shtei aḥayot. “He has two sisters.”
38.8 שָׁם הָיָה אוֹר. Sham haya or. “There was light there.”
38.9 אֵין לָהּ כֶּסֶף. Ein lah kesef. “She doesn’t have money.”
38.10 יֵשׁ פֹּה אֲנָשִׁים רַבִּים. Yesh po anashim rabim. “There are many people here.”
38.11 שָׁם יֵשׁ גַּן יָפֶה. Sham yesh gan yafe. “There is a beautiful garden there.”
38.12 אֵין שָׁם דֶּרֶךְ אַחֵר. Ein sham derekh aḥer. “There is no other way there.”
38.13 יֵשׁ לָהֶם בְּעָיָה קְטַנָּה. Yesh lahem be’aya ktana. “They have a small problem.”
38.14 מָה יֵשׁ שָׁם? Ma yesh sham? “What is there?”
38.15 יֵשׁ לָנוּ תִּקְוָה גְּדוֹלָה. Yesh lanu tikva gdola. “We have great hope.”
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38.1 יֵשׁ סֵפֶר עַל הַשֻּׁלְחָן. Yesh sefer al ha-shulḥan.
38.2 שָׁם יֵשׁ בַּיִת גָּדוֹל. Sham yesh bayit gadol.
38.3 יֵשׁ לִי מַיִם. Yesh li mayim.
38.4 אֵין שָׁם אִישׁ. Ein sham ish.
38.5 יֵשׁ לָנוּ זְמַן. Yesh lanu zman.
38.6 הַיֵּשׁ שָׁם מִסְעָדָה? Ha-yesh sham mis’ada?
38.7 יֵשׁ לוֹ שְׁתֵּי אֲחָיוֹת. Yesh lo shtei aḥayot.
38.8 שָׁם הָיָה אוֹר. Sham haya or.
38.9 אֵין לָהּ כֶּסֶף. Ein lah kesef.
38.10 יֵשׁ פֹּה אֲנָשִׁים רַבִּים. Yesh po anashim rabim.
38.11 שָׁם יֵשׁ גַּן יָפֶה. Sham yesh gan yafe.
38.12 אֵין שָׁם דֶּרֶךְ אַחֵר. Ein sham derekh aḥer.
38.13 יֵשׁ לָהֶם בְּעָיָה קְטַנָּה. Yesh lahem be’aya ktana.
38.14 מָה יֵשׁ שָׁם? Ma yesh sham?
38.15 יֵשׁ לָנוּ תִּקְוָה גְּדוֹלָה. Yesh lanu tikva gdola.
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1. The Existential יֵשׁ (yesh) - “There is/are”
The word יֵשׁ is unique in Hebrew grammar. It is an invariable existential particle that: -
Never changes form (no conjugation, no gender agreement, no number agreement) -
Expresses existence in the present tense only -
Functions like a verb but technically isn’t one
Basic existence: -
יֵשׁ סֵפֶר = “There is a book” -
יֵשׁ סְפָרִים = “There are books” (same form!)
2. Expressing Possession with יֵשׁ + לְ
Since Hebrew has no verb “to have,” possession is expressed through the existential construction:
Structure: יֵשׁ + לְ + pronoun/noun + object
Prepositional forms with לְ (le- “to/for”): -
לִי (li) - to me → “I have” -
לְךָ (lekha, m.) / לָךְ (lakh, f.) - to you → “you have” -
לוֹ (lo) - to him → “he has” -
לָהּ (lah) - to her → “she has” -
לָנוּ (lanu) - to us → “we have” -
לָכֶם (lakhem, m.) / לָכֶן (lakhen, f.) - to you (pl.) → “you have” -
לָהֶם (lahem, m.) / לָהֶן (lahen, f.) - to them → “they have”
Examples: -
יֵשׁ לִי אָח = “I have a brother” (lit. “there-is to-me brother”) -
יֵשׁ לָהּ מְכוֹנִית = “She has a car”
3. The Negative: אֵין (ein) - “There isn’t/aren’t”
The negative counterpart of יֵשׁ is אֵין: -
אֵין סֵפֶר = “There is no book” -
אֵין לִי זְמַן = “I don’t have time” (lit. “there-isn’t to-me time”)
4. Past and Future Tense
While יֵשׁ and אֵין only work in present tense, past and future use forms of the verb הָיָה (haya) “to be”:
Past: -
הָיָה (haya) - there was (m.s.) -
הָיְתָה (hayta) - there was (f.s.) -
הָיוּ (hayu) - there were (pl.)
Example: שָׁם הָיָה בַּיִת = “There was a house there”
Past possession: -
הָיָה לִי סֵפֶר = “I had a book” (lit. “was to-me book”)
Future: -
יִהְיֶה (yihyeh) - there will be (m.s.) -
תִּהְיֶה (tihyeh) - there will be (f.s.) -
יִהְיוּ (yihyu) - there will be (pl.)
5. The Locative שָׁם (sham) - “There” (at that place)
Unlike יֵשׁ, שָׁם is a pure spatial adverb: -
שָׁם (sham) = “there” (at that place, over there) -
כָּאן (kan) = “here” (at this place) -
פֹּה (po) = “here” (more colloquial)
שָׁם answers the question אֵיפֹה? (eifo?) “where?”
Examples: -
הַסֵּפֶר שָׁם = “The book is there” -
אֲנִי גָר שָׁם = “I live there”
6. Combining יֵשׁ and שָׁם
You can combine both for “there is [something] there”: -
שָׁם יֵשׁ מִסְעָדָה = “There is a restaurant there” -
מָה יֵשׁ שָׁם? = “What is there?”
7. Questions with יֵשׁ
To form yes/no questions, add the interrogative particle הַ- (ha-): -
הַיֵּשׁ לְךָ זְמַן? = “Do you have time?” (lit. “Is-there to-you time?”) -
הַיֵּשׁ שָׁם בַּנְק? = “Is there a bank there?”
8. Colloquial Usage with אֶת (et)
In modern colloquial Hebrew, speakers often add the direct object marker אֶת (et) or its contracted forms (אוֹתִי, אוֹתוֹ, etc.) after יֵשׁ, though this is not required by standard grammar:
Formal: יֵשׁ לִי סֵפֶר Colloquial: יֵשׁ לִי אֶת הַסֵּפֶר (with definite article)
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Using שָׁם for possession: Incorrect! Never say שָׁם לִי for “I have.” Only יֵשׁ works for possession. -
Trying to conjugate יֵשׁ: יֵשׁ never changes! Don’t try to make it agree with gender or number. -
Correct: יֵשׁ אִישׁ (there is a man) -
Correct: יֵשׁ אִשָּׁה (there is a woman) -
Both use יֵשׁ! -
Forgetting the preposition לְ for possession: -
Wrong: יֵשׁ אֲנִי סֵפֶר -
Correct: יֵשׁ לִי סֵפֶר -
Confusing שָׁם (there) with שֵׁם (name): These are different words! -
שָׁם = there (locative) -
שֵׁם = name -
Using אֵין לִי in past/future: אֵין only works in present tense. -
Present: אֵין לִי זְמַן -
Past: לֹא הָיָה לִי זְמַן (not אֵין היה)
Existential (present): -
Positive: יֵשׁ -
Negative: אֵין
Locative: -
There: שָׁם -
Here: כָּאן / פֹּה
Possession pattern: -
יֵשׁ + לְ + [pronoun] + [object] -
Example: יֵשׁ לִי = “I have”
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The Hebrew existential construction reveals a fascinating philosophical perspective. Rather than “having” things, Hebrew speakers conceptualize possession as existence in relation to oneself. When you say יֵשׁ לִי (yesh li) “there is to me,” you’re not claiming ownership in the possessive English sense—you’re describing a relationship of existence and availability.
This construction appears throughout Hebrew literature and daily speech, reflecting a worldview where things exist independently, and humans stand in relationship to them rather than possessing them absolutely.
יֵשׁ/אֵין - Among the most common words in Modern Hebrew. Essential for: -
Basic conversation -
Questions about availability -
Expressing needs and wants -
Describing situations
שָׁם/כָּאן - Core locative adverbs used constantly in: -
Giving directions -
Describing locations -
Storytelling -
Spatial reference
The word יֵשׁ derives from Biblical Hebrew, where it already functioned as an existential particle. Its unusual grammatical behavior—never conjugating—marks it as an ancient element in the language. The modern usage with לְ for possession continues patterns established in Biblical times.
The locative שָׁם similarly has ancient roots, appearing throughout Biblical Hebrew with the same meaning it carries today.
In contemporary Israeli Hebrew: -
Elliptical responses: Speakers often answer questions with just יֵשׁ or אֵין: -
“?יֵשׁ לְךָ עֵט” - “?יֵשׁ” (”Do you have a pen?” - “Yes”) -
Idiomatic expressions: -
יֵשׁ מַצָּב = “there’s a situation” (things are happening) -
אֵין בְּעָיָה = “no problem” -
יֵשׁ לִי רַעְיוֹן = “I have an idea” -
Colloquial את insertion: Modern speakers frequently add את with definite objects: -
יֵשׁ לִי אֶת הַמַּפְתֵּחַ = “I have the key” -
Regional variations: The distinction between פֹּה and כָּאן (both “here”) varies by region and formality, with פֹּה being more common in casual speech.
The יֵשׁ/אֵין distinction pervades Israeli culture: -
Economic discussions: יֵשׁ מִשְׂרוֹת = “there are jobs” -
Social commentary: אֵין בְּרֵרָה = “there’s no choice” -
Philosophical discourse: יֵשׁ מֵאַיִן = “something from nothing” (creatio ex nihilo)
The construction’s ubiquity makes it essential for any level of Hebrew proficiency, from basic tourist phrases to academic discourse.
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One of the most celebrated poems in Modern Hebrew literature, describing a young yeshiva student devoted to Torah study.
יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is לוֹ (lo) to-him עוֹלָם (olam) world קָטָן (katan) small וְצַר (vetsar) and-narrow
yesh (yesh) there-is lo (loh) to-him olam (oh-LAHM) world katan (kah-TAHN) small vetsar (veh-TSAHR) and-narrow
וּבְתוֹכוֹ (uvtokho) and-in-it שֻׁלְחָן (shulḥan) table אֶחָד (eḥad) one וְסֵפֶר (vesefer) and-book
uvtokho (oov-toh-KHOH) and-in-it shulḥan (shool-KHAHN) table eḥad (eh-KHAHD) one vesefer (veh-SEH-fer) and-book
שָׁם (sham) there יוֹשֵׁב (yoshev) sits הוּא (hu) he לְבַדּוֹ (levado) alone
sham (shahm) there yoshev (yoh-SHEHV) sits hu (hoo) he levado (leh-vah-DOH) alone
יֵשׁ לוֹ עוֹלָם קָטָן וְצַר, וּבְתוֹכוֹ שֻׁלְחָן אֶחָד וְסֵפֶר. שָׁם יוֹשֵׁב הוּא לְבַדּוֹ.
Yesh lo olam katan vetsar, uvtokho shulḥan eḥad vesefer. Sham yoshev hu levado.
“He has a small and narrow world, and within it one table and a book. There he sits alone.”
יֵשׁ לוֹ עוֹלָם קָטָן וְצַר, וּבְתוֹכוֹ שֻׁלְחָן אֶחָד וְסֵפֶר. שָׁם יוֹשֵׁב הוּא לְבַדּוֹ.
Yesh lo olam katan vetsar, uvtokho shulḥan eḥad vesefer. Sham yoshev hu levado.
Vocabulary: -
עוֹלָם (olam) - world -
קָטָן (katan) - small (m.s.) -
צַר (tsar) - narrow -
תּוֹךְ (tokh) - inside, midst -
בְּתוֹכוֹ (betokho) - in it, within it (בְּ + תּוֹךְ + וֹ) -
אֶחָד (eḥad) - one (m.s.) -
יוֹשֵׁב (yoshev) - sits (present participle) -
לְבַדּוֹ (levado) - alone, by himself
Grammar points: -
יֵשׁ לוֹ עוֹלָם demonstrates the possessive construction: “he has a world” = “there is to him a world” -
שָׁם יוֹשֵׁב places the locative adverb first for emphasis: “THERE he sits” -
The conjunction וְ- (ve-) “and” appears as וּ- (u-) before certain consonants (בּ, מ, פּ) -
לְבַדּוֹ combines לְ (le-) + בַּד (bad) “alone” + possessive suffix וֹ (o) “his”
This passage from Bialik’s masterpiece uses both יֵשׁ and שָׁם to create a poignant image of isolation and devotion. The existential construction יֵשׁ לוֹ (”he has”) emphasizes not mere possession but the relationship between the student and his confined world. The poet then shifts to שָׁם (”there”) to place us in that specific, isolated location where the student’s life unfolds.
Bialik (1873-1934), considered Israel’s national poet, wrote this poem while reflecting on traditional Eastern European Jewish education. The austere image—one table, one book, total solitude—captures both the nobility of dedication to study and the cost of such singular devotion.
The grammatical precision mirrors the thematic content: the invariable, unchanging יֵשׁ reflects the unchanging routine of study; the locative שָׁם pins down the exact, limited space of the student’s existence.
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38.16a הַיֵּשׁ (ha-yesh) Q-there-is פֹּה (po) here מָקוֹם (makom) place פָּנוּי (panui) free
38.16b ha-yesh (hah-YESH) Q-there-is po (poh) here makom (mah-KOHM) place panui (pah-NOO-ee) free
38.17a כֵּן (ken) yes יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is שָׁם (sham) there בַּפִּנָּה (bapina) in-the-corner
38.17b ken (kehn) yes yesh (yesh) there-is sham (shahm) there bapina (bah-pee-NAH) in-the-corner
38.18a יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is לְךָ (lekha) to-you תַּפְרִיט (tafrit) menu
38.18b yesh (yesh) there-is lekha (leh-KHAH) to-you tafrit (tahf-REET) menu
38.19a כֵּן (ken) yes יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is לִי (li) to-me תּוֹדָה (toda) thanks
38.19b ken (kehn) yes yesh (yesh) there-is li (lee) to-me toda (toh-DAH) thanks
38.20a מָה (ma) what יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is לְךָ (lekha) to-you הַיּוֹם (hayom) today
38.20b ma (mah) what yesh (yesh) there-is lekha (leh-KHAH) to-you hayom (hah-YOHM) today
38.21a יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is לָנוּ (lanu) to-us קָפֶה (kafe) coffee מְעוּלֶה (me’ule) excellent
38.21b yesh (yesh) there-is lanu (LAH-noo) to-us kafe (kah-FEH) coffee me’ule (meh-oo-LEH) excellent
38.22a וְ (ve) and הַיֵּשׁ (ha-yesh) Q-there-is גַּם (gam) also עוּגוֹת (ugot) cakes
38.22b ve (veh) and ha-yesh (hah-YESH) Q-there-is gam (gahm) also ugot (oo-GOHT) cakes
38.23a כַּמּוּבָן (kamuvan) of-course יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is שָׁם (sham) there בַּתְּצוּגָה (battsuga) in-the-display
38.23b kamuvan (kah-moo-VAHN) of-course yesh (yesh) there-is sham (shahm) there battsuga (bah-t’tsoo-GAH) in-the-display
38.24a אֵין (ein) there-isn’t לִי (li) to-me כֶּסֶף (kesef) money מַסְפִּיק (maspik) enough
38.24b ein (eyn) there-isn’t li (lee) to-me kesef (KEH-sef) money maspik (mahs-PEEK) enough
38.25a אַל (al) don’t תִּדְאַג (tidag) worry יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is לִי (li) to-me
38.25b al (ahl) don’t tidag (teed-AHG) worry yesh (yesh) there-is li (lee) to-me
38.26a תּוֹדָה (toda) thanks הַיֵּשׁ (ha-yesh) Q-there-is שָׁם (sham) there מֶלְצָר (meltsar) waiter
38.26b toda (toh-DAH) thanks ha-yesh (hah-YESH) Q-there-is sham (shahm) there meltsar (mehl-TSAHR) waiter
38.27a כֵּן (ken) yes הוּא (hu) he שָׁם (sham) there אֵצֶל (etsel) near הַקֻּפָּה (hakupa) the-register
38.27b ken (kehn) yes hu (hoo) he sham (shahm) there etsel (EH-tsel) near hakupa (hah-koo-PAH) the-register
38.28a אֵין (ein) there-isn’t לִי (li) to-me סַבְלָנוּת (savlanut) patience לְחַכּוֹת (lekhakot) to-wait
38.28b ein (eyn) there-isn’t li (lee) to-me savlanut (sahv-lah-NOOT) patience lekhakot (leh-khah-KOHT) to-wait
38.29a יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is פֹּה (po) here אֲוִירָה (avira) atmosphere נֶחְמָדָה (neḥmada) nice
38.29b yesh (yesh) there-is po (poh) here avira (ah-vee-RAH) atmosphere neḥmada (nekh-mah-DAH) nice
38.30a כֵּן (ken) yes יֵשׁ (yesh) there-is שָׁם (sham) there מוּזִיקָה (muzika) music טוֹבָה (tova) good
38.30b ken (kehn) yes yesh (yesh) there-is sham (shahm) there muzika (moo-zee-KAH) music tova (toh-VAH) good
38.16 ?הַיֵּשׁ פֹּה מָקוֹם פָּנוּי Ha-yesh po makom panui? “Is there a free seat here?”
38.17 .כֵּן, יֵשׁ שָׁם בַּפִּנָּה Ken, yesh sham bapina. “Yes, there’s one there in the corner.”
38.18 ?יֵשׁ לְךָ תַּפְרִיט Yesh lekha tafrit? “Do you have a menu?”
38.19 .כֵּן, יֵשׁ לִי, תּוֹדָה Ken, yesh li, toda. “Yes, I have one, thanks.”
38.20 ?מָה יֵשׁ לְךָ הַיּוֹם Ma yesh lekha hayom? “What do you have today?”
38.21 .יֵשׁ לָנוּ קָפֶה מְעוּלֶה Yesh lanu kafe me’ule. “We have excellent coffee.”
38.22 ?וְהַיֵּשׁ גַּם עוּגוֹת Veha-yesh gam ugot? “And are there also cakes?”
38.23 .כַּמּוּבָן, יֵשׁ שָׁם בַּתְּצוּגָה Kamuvan, yesh sham battsuga. “Of course, there are some there in the display.”
38.24 .אֵין לִי כֶּסֶף מַסְפִּיק Ein li kesef maspik. “I don’t have enough money.”
38.25 .אַל תִּדְאַג, יֵשׁ לִי Al tidag, yesh li. “Don’t worry, I have some.”
38.26 ?תּוֹדָה. הַיֵּשׁ שָׁם מֶלְצָר Toda. Ha-yesh sham meltsar? “Thanks. Is there a waiter there?”
38.27 .כֵּן, הוּא שָׁם אֵצֶל הַקֻּפָּה Ken, hu sham etsel hakupa. “Yes, he’s there near the register.”
38.28 .אֵין לִי סַבְלָנוּת לְחַכּוֹת Ein li savlanut lekhakot. “I don’t have patience to wait.”
38.29 .יֵשׁ פֹּה אֲוִירָה נֶחְמָדָה Yesh po avira neḥmada. “There’s a nice atmosphere here.”
38.30 .כֵּן, יֵשׁ שָׁם מוּזִיקָה טוֹבָה Ken, yesh sham muzika tova. “Yes, there’s good music there.”
38.16 ?הַיֵּשׁ פֹּה מָקוֹם פָּנוּי Ha-yesh po makom panui?
38.17 .כֵּן, יֵשׁ שָׁם בַּפִּנָּה Ken, yesh sham bapina.
38.18 ?יֵשׁ לְךָ תַּפְרִיט Yesh lekha tafrit?
38.19 .כֵּן, יֵשׁ לִי, תּוֹדָה Ken, yesh li, toda.
38.20 ?מָה יֵשׁ לְךָ הַיּוֹם Ma yesh lekha hayom?
38.21 .יֵשׁ לָנוּ קָפֶה מְעוּלֶה Yesh lanu kafe me’ule.
38.22 ?וְהַיֵּשׁ גַּם עוּגוֹת Veha-yesh gam ugot?
38.23 .כַּמּוּבָן, יֵשׁ שָׁם בַּתְּצוּגָה Kamuvan, yesh sham battsuga.
38.24 .אֵין לִי כֶּסֶף מַסְפִּיק Ein li kesef maspik.
38.25 .אַל תִּדְאַג, יֵשׁ לִי Al tidag, yesh li.
38.26 ?תּוֹדָה. הַיֵּשׁ שָׁם מֶלְצָר Toda. Ha-yesh sham meltsar?
38.27 .כֵּן, הוּא שָׁם אֵצֶל הַקֻּפָּה Ken, hu sham etsel hakupa.
38.28 .אֵין לִי סַבְלָנוּת לְחַכּוֹת Ein li savlanut lekhakot.
38.29 .יֵשׁ פֹּה אֲוִירָה נֶחְמָדָה Yesh po avira neḥmada.
38.30 .כֵּן, יֵשׁ שָׁם מוּזִיקָה טוֹבָה Ken, yesh sham muzika tova.
This dialogue demonstrates natural conversational Hebrew with both existential and locative usage:
Conversational patterns: -
Elliptical answers: Native speakers often answer with just יֵשׁ/אֵין + pronoun (38.19, 38.25) -
Question formation: הַיֵּשׁ (interrogative particle + יֵשׁ) creates yes/no questions -
Locative layering: Combining פֹּה (here) or שָׁם (there) with יֵשׁ for precise location reference
New vocabulary introduced: -
מָקוֹם (makom) - place, seat -
פָּנוּי (panui) - free, available, vacant -
פִּנָּה (pina) - corner -
תַּפְרִיט (tafrit) - menu -
קָפֶה (kafe) - coffee -
מְעוּלֶה (me’ule) - excellent -
עוּגָה/עוּגוֹת (uga/ugot) - cake/cakes -
תְּצוּגָה (tsuga) - display -
מַסְפִּיק (maspik) - enough (adj./adv.) -
אַל תִּדְאַג (al tidag) - don’t worry -
מֶלְצָר (meltsar) - waiter -
קֻפָּה (kupa) - register, cashier -
סַבְלָנוּת (savlanut) - patience -
אֲוִירָה (avira) - atmosphere -
נֶחְמָד (neḥmad) - nice, pleasant
Grammar highlights: -
כַּמּוּבָן (kamuvan) “of course” - common conversational filler -
גַּם (gam) “also” - adds information -
Imperative forms: אַל תִּדְאַג “don’t worry” (negative imperative with אַל + present tense) -
Infinitive construct: לְחַכּוֹת (lekhakot) “to wait” (לְ + infinitive)
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Consonants: -
ח (ḥ/kh) - pronounced like German “ch” in “Bach” or Scottish “loch” -
ע (’) - historically a pharyngeal sound, now often silent or a glottal stop in Modern Hebrew -
צ (ts) - like “ts” in “cats” -
ק (k/q) - historically distinguished from כ, now both pronounced “k” in Modern Hebrew -
ר (r) - guttural “r” (varies between speakers)
Vowels: Modern Hebrew has five basic vowel phonemes: -
a as in “father” -
e as in “bed” -
i as in “machine” -
o as in “note” -
u as in “flute”
Stress: -
Most Hebrew words are stressed on the final syllable -
Notable exceptions include segolate nouns (like סֵפֶר SEH-fer) stressed on first syllable -
Stress indicated in romanization with CAPITALS
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Guttural sounds: English speakers often struggle with ח and ע -
Practice: Make the “k” sound, then move it back in your throat for ח -
R pronunciation: Hebrew ר is guttural, not the English alveolar “r” -
Practice: French or German “r” is closer to Hebrew ר -
Maintaining vowel quality: Hebrew vowels don’t reduce in unstressed syllables like English -
Each vowel maintains its full quality regardless of stress -
Final consonants: Don’t add a schwa after final consonants -
Wrong: shalom-uh -
Correct: shalom
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This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute’s comprehensive approach to language acquisition, which has been developing materials for autodidact learners since 2006. Our methodology emphasizes direct engagement with authentic texts through interlinear glossing—a technique that allows learners to comprehend native-level material from day one while building systematic grammatical knowledge.
Why Hebrew?
Hebrew represents a unique challenge and opportunity for English speakers. As a Semitic language with a non-Latin script, it requires learners to adapt to new patterns of thinking—from reading right to left to conceptualizing possession as existence-in-relation rather than ownership. Yet Modern Hebrew’s logical structure and the vibrant contemporary culture it expresses make it an immensely rewarding language to study.
Our Methodology:
The interlinear construed text format you’ve encountered in this lesson enables what we call “direct comprehension”—you can read authentic Hebrew while understanding every element. This approach: -
Accelerates Recognition: Seeing words in their native script alongside immediate glosses trains your brain to recognize Hebrew characters and words rapidly -
Builds Grammatical Intuition: Word-by-word glossing reveals Hebrew’s structure without requiring explicit grammar rules first -
Maintains Authenticity: All examples use real Hebrew constructions, not simplified “learner language” -
Respects Your Intelligence: We present complete information, trusting you to integrate it at your own pace
The CSV-Based Progression:
These lessons follow a frequency-based vocabulary sequence. Lesson 38 focuses on “there” because it represents the 38th most common concept in English—and by extension, in cross-linguistic communication. By progressing through high-frequency vocabulary, you build practical communication skills systematically.
Beyond the Lessons:
We encourage you to: -
Read additional Modern Hebrew texts using the patterns learned here -
Practice writing your own sentences using יֵשׁ/אֵין and שָׁם -
Engage with contemporary Hebrew media (news, literature, music) -
Connect with Hebrew speakers to activate your passive knowledge
Community and Support:
Visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index for the complete course index and additional resources. See what other learners have achieved at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
A Note on Autodidact Learning:
You are learning Hebrew independently—a noble and ancient tradition. Self-directed language study requires discipline, but it offers unparalleled freedom to focus on what interests you most. Use this lesson as a foundation, but don’t hesitate to explore beyond it. Hebrew is a living language with 9 million speakers worldwide and a literary tradition spanning millennia. Your engagement with it enriches both you and that ongoing conversation.
Acknowledgments:
This lesson draws on modern Hebrew grammar resources, contemporary Israeli usage patterns, and the poetic genius of writers like Hayim Nahman Bialik. Any errors are our own; the beauty of the language belongs to its speakers.
תּוֹדָה רַבָּה (toda raba) - Thank you very much for studying with us.
בְּהַצְלָחָה (behatslaḥa) - Success to you!
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