אַתָּה מְדַבֵּר אַנְגְּלִית
Atah Medaber Anglit
“Do you speak English?”
Atah Medaber Anglit (אַתָּה מְדַבֵּר אַנְגְּלִית) is a Hebrew phrase meaning “do you speak english?,” pronounced “a-TAH me-da-BER ang-LIT.” The literal translation is “you speaking english?.” A practical question for travelers in Israel who need to switch to English. Hebrew doesn't require a question word — rising intonation turns a statement into a question.
| Hebrew | אַתָּה מְדַבֵּר אַנְגְּלִית |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Atah Medaber Anglit |
| English Meaning | Do you speak English? |
| Literal Translation | You speaking English? |
| Pronunciation | a-TAH me-da-BER ang-LIT |
| Category | Everyday Expressions |
| Origin | Modern Hebrew. The words atah (you), medaber (speaking), and the question structure are standard Hebrew grammar. Anglit (English) is a modern Hebrew adaptation of the word for the English language. |
When your Hebrew runs out and you need to switch to English, this phrase is your lifeline: Atah medaber Anglit? One of the interesting features of Hebrew is that you don't need a special word like 'do' to form a question — rising intonation at the end turns any statement into a question. 'Atah medaber Anglit' (You speak English) becomes 'Atah medaber Anglit?' (Do you speak English?) with just a vocal lift. In practice, asking this question in Israel will usually get you a yes — the country has one of the highest English proficiency rates in the non-Anglophone world, thanks to mandatory English education from elementary school and a globally connected tech culture.
Where Does “Atah Medaber Anglit” Come From?
Modern Hebrew. The words atah (you), medaber (speaking), and the question structure are standard Hebrew grammar. Anglit (English) is a modern Hebrew adaptation of the word for the English language.
When and How to Say “Atah Medaber Anglit”
Asked to a male: 'Atah medaber Anglit?' Asked to a female: 'At medaberet Anglit?' Both the pronoun (atah/at) and the verb (medaber/medaberet) change for gender. Often preceded by 'Slicha' (Excuse me) for politeness.
Cultural Context of Atah Medaber Anglit
In Tel Aviv and tourist areas, you barely need this phrase — many Israelis will switch to English preemptively when they hear an accent. But in smaller towns, markets, and among older generations, it's more useful. Israelis generally appreciate any attempt to speak Hebrew, however basic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “Do you speak English?” in Hebrew?
“Do you speak English?” in Hebrew is Atah Medaber Anglit (אַתָּה מְדַבֵּר אַנְגְּלִית), pronounced “a-TAH me-da-BER ang-LIT.” The literal translation is “You speaking English?.” A practical question for travelers in Israel who need to switch to English. Hebrew doesn't require a question word — rising intonation turns a statement into a question.
How do you pronounce Atah Medaber Anglit?
Atah Medaber Anglit is pronounced “a-TAH me-da-BER ang-LIT.” The literal meaning is “You speaking English?.”
How do you ask a woman if she speaks English?
To a woman, say 'At medaberet Anglit?' (אַתְּ מְדַבֶּרֶת אַנְגְּלִית?) — pronounced 'at me-da-BE-ret ang-LIT.' Both the pronoun (at instead of atah) and verb (medaberet instead of medaber) change for the feminine form.
Do Israelis speak English?
The vast majority of Israelis under 60 speak at least conversational English. Israel ranks consistently high in English proficiency indices. English is taught from 3rd grade in all Israeli schools. In the tech sector, English is practically a working language. In tourist areas, you'll find English widely spoken.
How do you form questions in Hebrew?
Hebrew forms yes/no questions simply by using rising intonation — no auxiliary verb needed. 'Atah medaber Anglit' (You speak English) becomes 'Atah medaber Anglit?' (Do you speak English?) with rising pitch. For WH-questions, Hebrew uses question words like Ma (what), Mi (who), Eifo (where), and Matai (when).
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