Whether you’re listening to a song, playing an instrument, or talking about your favorite band, this guide introduces essential Hebrew terms for music – helping learners express themselves naturally in musical conversations.
Musical Terms
| English | Hebrew (with niqqud) | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Music | מוּסִיקָה | musikah |
| Song | שִׁיר | shir |
| Singer (m/f) | זַמָּר / זַמֶּרֶת | zamar / zameret |
| Band | לַהֲקָה | lahakah |
| Melody | מֶלּוֹדְיָה | melodyah |
| Rhythm | קֶצֶב | ketzev |
| Lyrics | מִלִּים שֶׁל שִׁיר | milim shel shir |
| Chorus | פִּזְמוֹן | pizmon |
| Note | תָּו | tov |
| Sound | צְלִיל | tzelil |
| Genre | זַ’אנְר | zhanr |
| Concert | הוֹפָעָה | hofa’ah |
| Stage | בָּמָה | bamah |
| Audience | קָהָל | kahal |
Instruments
| English | Hebrew (with niqqud) | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Guitar | גִּיטָרָה | gitarah |
| Piano | פְּסַנְתֵּר | psanter |
| Violin | כִּנּוֹר | kinor |
| Drums | תֻּפִּים | tupim |
| Flute | חָלִיל | chalil |
| Trumpet | חֲצוֹצְרָה | chatzotzrah |
| Microphone | מִיקְרוֹפוֹן | mikrofon |
| Speaker | רַמְקוֹל | ramkol |
| Headphones | אוֹזְנִיּוֹת | ozniyot |
Useful Phrases
- אני אוהב לשמוע מוזיקה קלאסית
Ani ohev lishmo’a musikah klasit – I love listening to classical music - את שרה שיר יפה מאוד
At sharah shir yafeh me’od – You sing a very beautiful song - הוא מנגן בגיטרה כל ערב
Hu menagen be-gitarah kol erev – He plays guitar every evening - אנחנו הולכים להופעה בשבת
Anachnu holchim le-hofa’ah be-Shabbat – We’re going to a concert on Saturday
Practice Tips
- Listen to Hebrew songs and follow along with the lyrics.
- Create flashcards with musical instruments and verbs like “לשיר” (to sing) or “לנגן” (to play).
- Watch Hebrew music videos and identify words you recognize.
- Write a short paragraph about your favorite genre or artist – in Hebrew.
- Try singing a Hebrew song or learning a chorus by heart.