Here's a really popular phrase that's hard to use right:
חבל על הזמן (
chaval al ha-zman)
1. Taken literally, it means "it's not worth the time", i.e. "it's a waste of time"
Usage: "Don't go to Rami Levi (local supermarket) on Thursday night.
Chaval al hazeman. Go during the day when it's not such a madhouse."
2. (Exactly the opposite of the first meaning) Slang for: Incredible! Amazing!
Usage: "I was at the Aharon Razel concert last night -
chaval al hazman!"
So, if you ask your friend how the shiur that she went to was and she tells you, "
Chaval al hazman, make sure you're looking at her, because it could either mean, "It was literally a waste of time" or it could also mean, "It was an amazing shiur!"
Confused? Welcome to Israel.
A woman stands by the side of the road, her arm outstretched, hoping that a passing motorist will stop and give her a lift. Standing a few feet away are the other members of her party: both young, male. One holds a load sub-machine gun.
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