בבקשה ותודה
bevakasha vetoda
The Hebrew phrase for "please and thank you" is בבקשה ותודה (bevakasha vetoda).
בבקשה is the most common and versatile way to say "please", while תודה is the most common way to say "thank you". While English speakers often use "please and thank you" as a single idiomatic unit, in Hebrew, these are typically treated as two distinct functional parts of a transaction or interaction.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of בבקשה (please/with request) and ותודה (and thanks).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
אנא is a more formal way to say "please" in Hebrew. To express more gratitude, you can use תודה רבה, which means "thank you very much".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the second part of the phrase, ותודה, the ו (v) is the conjunction "and", which is attached directly to the beginning of the word תודה.
How do you pronounce it?
bevakasha vetoda
Did you know?
- The word בבקשה is used not only for 'please' but also as the standard response for 'you are welcome' after someone says תודה.
- In many Israeli service settings, you might hear people skip the 'please' entirely and only use 'תודה' even when making a request, which can sound blunt to English speakers.
- While תודה means 'thanks', its root is shared with the word for 'confession' or 'acknowledgment'.
Examples in context
- תודה על העזרה!Thank you for your help!
Example conversation
Maya is handing Daniel a glass of water.
- דניאל Danielאפשר כוס מים, בבקשה ותודה?Efshar kos mayim, bevakasha ve-toda?Could I have a glass of water, please and thank you?
- מאיה Mayaבטח, הנה זה.Betach, hine ze.Sure, here it is.
- דניאל Danielתודה רבה, מאיה.Toda raba, Maya.Thank you very much, Maya.
- מאיה Mayaאין בעיה, דניאל.Ein be'aya, Daniel.No problem, Daniel.
