יש
yésh/jeʃ/
The Hebrew equivalent of the English expression of happiness "yay" is יש (yésh).
יש is used as an exclamation to express happiness. Note that the slang term סַבָּבָה means "cool" or "awesome".
Meaning: an expression of happiness (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced yésh.
Did you know?
- Hebrew uses the same word יש for both 'there is' and 'I have', as the language does not have a dedicated verb for possession.
- Because יש literally translates to 'there is', a person shouting it is grammatically announcing the presence of a positive thing or situation.
- Shouting יש! is common in Israeli sports culture as a way to celebrate a goal or a victory.
Examples in context
- יש!yesh!Yay!
- יש, סוף סוף!yesh, sof sof!Yay, finally!
- יש, הצלחנו!yesh, hitzlachnu!Yay, we made it!
Example conversation
Rotem and Daniel are playing a game and finally win.
- רוטם Rotemיש! ניצחנו!yesh! nichanu!Yay! We won!
- דניאל Danielנכון, זה היה משחק מטורף.nachon, ze haya mischak matoraf.True, that was a crazy game.
- רוטם Rotemאני כל כך שמחה.ani kol kach smacha.I am so happy.
- דניאל Danielגם אני, רוטם.gam ani, Rotem.Me too, Rotem.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry יש, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
