אוי אלוהים
oy elohím
The Hebrew phrase for "oh my God" is אוי אלוהים (oy elohím). If unsure, use אוי אלוהים. Wiktionary also lists אֱלֹהִים אַדִּירִים (elohím adirím).
Meaning: excitement or shock (intj)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| אוי אלוהים | oy elohím |
| אֱלֹהִים אַדִּירִים | elohím adirím |
אוי אלוהים is used to express feelings of shock, surprise, excitement or frustration.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
אוי אלוהים is an informal expression. For an informal way to convey astonishment or disbelief, you might also use מטורף!
How do you pronounce it?
oy elohím
When do people say it?
Because Elohim is a sacred name for God, some religious speakers may avoid using this phrase to prevent taking the name in vain.
Did you know?
- In very religious circles, people replace אלוהים with the word אלוקים by changing one letter to avoid pronouncing the sacred name.
- The word אלוהים is grammatically plural, though it is used in Hebrew to refer to a single, singular God.
- The word אוי (oy) in this expression is also used in many other languages, such as Yiddish, to express pain or dismay.
Examples in context
- אוי אלוהים, זה כל כך יפה!oy elohim, ze kol kach yafe!Oh my god, it's so beautiful!
- אוי אלוהים, מה קרה כאן?oy elohim, ma kara kan?Oh my god, what happened here?
- אוי אלוהים, אני לא מאמינה!oy elohim, ani lo ma'amina!Oh my god, I can't believe it!
Example conversation
Ido shows Rotem a surprise gift.
- עידו Idoרוטם, זה בשבילך!Rotem, ze bishvilech!Rotem, this is for you!
- רוטם Rotemאוי אלוהים, זה יפה כל כך!Oy Elohim, ze yafe kol kach!Oh my god, it is so beautiful!
- עידו Idoאת אוהבת את זה?At ohevet et ze?Do you like it?
- רוטם Rotemכן, תודה רבה עידו!Ken, toda raba Ido!Yes, thank you very much, Ido!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oh my God” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אלוהים, CC BY-SA 4.0.
