Getting started with Hebrew

Do I need to know Hebrew or read the letters to start?

No. Complete beginners start speaking from day one with Guided Conversation, English letters (transliteration), and translations.

Updated

No. You don't need to speak Hebrew yet, and you don't need to read the Hebrew alphabet (alef-bet) to start practicing.

If you're a complete beginner

When you tell your coach you're new to speaking Hebrew or don't read Hebrew letters yet:

  • Guided Conversation turns on automatically. You listen to your coach first, answer with just one word, and then build one useful sentence at a time with a Try saying help card above the microphone. See How does Guided Conversation work for beginners?
  • English letters (transliteration) are shown beside the Hebrew, like shalom or ani rotze kafe, so you can say every sentence out loud before you know the script.
  • English translations show what your coach's line means.
  • You can always ask in English. Say "How do I say…?", "Can you say that slower?", or "Give me a hint" in English anytime. Your coach answers briefly in English and never treats English questions as mistakes.

If you already speak some Hebrew

Tell your coach you can handle simple sentences or conversations. Guided help stays out of your way so you can talk freely, and comes back only if you ask for a hint or get stuck.

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