Berlitz Hebrew Phrase Book & Dictionary (Berlitz the Language of Travel) [Paperback]

Berlitz Guides (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 283150872X | ISBN-13: 978-2831508726 | Publication Date: February 1994 | Edition: Revised

Part language instructor, part tour guide, the world-renowned Berlitz Phrase Book series has been the ideal companion guide for millions of travelers worldwide. Providing a wealth of essential information and practical tips, this popular series, redesigned and updated, is primed for a new generation of foreign country visitors. With over 1,200 useful phrases and expressions and over 2,300 words covering just about any situation a traveler is likely to encounter, Berlitz Phrase Books remain the unparalleled market leader.

Completely redesigned for greater ease of use, Berlitz Phrase Books provide:
-- A new "essentials" section, offering the most basic vocabulary for quick reference
-- Expanded cultural tips, including sites to visit, places to dine, and faux pas to avoid
-- Easier-to-read single columns
-- Contemporary icons and illustrations
-- Up-to-date language to reflect the changes in banking, entertainment, media, and technology
-- Over 1,200 useful phrases and over 2,300 words
-- A unique color-coding system
-- An easy-to-read pronunciation guide
-- A dictionary with more than 3,500 words to fit any situation
-- A manageable, portable size

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Berlitz; Revised edition (February 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 283150872X
• ISBN-13: 978-2831508726
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,658,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars one of the best pocket phrase books I've ever seen!, November 20, 2003

By 

Shelley Gammon "Geek" (Kaufman, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Berlitz Hebrew Phrase Book & Dictionary (Berlitz the Language of Travel) (Paperback)

Berlitz is well known for their language books, audio tapes, and their pocket phrase books. Some of their books are good, some are only so-so... and unless you already have some working knowledge in the language you're interested in, you may not realize a book is mediocre until it's too late.

Berlitz has a newer version of this phrase book that is not up to par with this slightly older model. The newer version does not have the vowels or as extensive of a reference section. I do not know why a newer edition would have less useful information, but it does... so make sure you get this one - with ISBN #283150872X in lieu of its newer companion .

Unlike so many other phrase books for Hebrew, this one has the vowels and detailed explainations on how to pronounce the letters. There are easy-to-read samples of block and script letters and the crisp black ink on the stark white pages makes the characters easy to read.

The book is color coded by section with labels such as "Hotel," "Making Friends," and "Eating Out" and the sections are labeled in English AND Hebrew. There is also a Hebrew index in addition to the English one, so a confused traveller can hand the book to a native speaker to help them find the right word.

My less than perfect rating is due to the lack of information on feminine numbers. There are masculine & feminine numbers in Hebrew and the feminine numbers are used to tell time and for math. The reference section has some great information, including all the masculine numbers, but there is no section on how to tell the time or how to count money and the existence of feminine numbers is not even suggested since the masculine numbers aren't even listed as being masculine - just "numbers." Many other languages do not have gender-based numbers, so a neophyte to the language could be in a pickle. A native speaker would understand them, since the numbers sound similar, but someone depending on this book to learn the language won't understand when someone tells them the time.

Even with the few failings, considering the size of this book, there is a tremendous bounty of information crammed in there and if you're only going to take one book with you on the plane to Israel, this might as well be it. It's a great reference to have with you as you travel through the Holy Land.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for Travellers as well as Hebrew language students, October 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Berlitz Hebrew Phrase Book & Dictionary (Berlitz the Language of Travel) (Paperback)

I found this book to be of valuable help for everyday situations as well as a lifesaver in difficult situations. You cannot always rely on someone to be around who speaks English so this book is well worth carrying with you while visiting Israel. As a student of the Hebrew language who lives in Israel I found it to be an asset in my studies because the Ulpan courses here do not give you all the vocabulary you need to communicate with the average person in the street. It is turly a good investment.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great phrase book, October 10, 2010

By 

mna - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Berlitz Hebrew Phrase Book & Dictionary (Berlitz the Language of Travel) (Paperback)

This phrase book is excellent to learn or use conversational Hebrew. My only problem is that the font is small and that makes it hard for me to read. I wish it came in a larger size book.