Ulpan Spolter 2

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.