Lesson 145: Diplomatic Phrases
At an advanced level, how you say something matters as much as what you say. These tactful lines let you disagree, ask, and decline without giving offence. Tap any line to hear it.
Disagreeing tactfully
אֲנִי מֵבִין אֶת הַנְּקֻדָּה שֶׁלְּךָ, אֲבָל...
ani mevin et hanekuda shelcha, aval...
I understand your point, but…
יֵשׁ בָּזֶה מַשֶּׁהוּ, וּבְכָל זֹאת...
yesh baze mashehu, uvchol zot...
There’s something to that, and yet…
אוּלַי כְּדַאי לִשְׁקֹל גַּם זָוִית אַחֶרֶת.
ulai keday lishkol gam zavit acheret.
Perhaps it’s worth considering another angle too.
Softening a request
אִם זֶה לֹא מַטְרִיחַ אוֹתְךָ...
im ze lo matriach otcha...
If it’s not too much trouble…
אֶשְׂמַח אִם תּוּכַל לַעֲזֹר.
esmach im tuchal la’azor.
I’d be glad if you could help.
אֵין שׁוּם לַחַץ.
ein shum lachats.
There’s no pressure at all.
Bowing out gracefully
אֲנִי מַעֲרִיךְ אֶת הַהַצָּעָה, אֲבָל...
ani ma’arich et hahatsa’a, aval...
I appreciate the offer, but…
נַחְזֹר לָזֶה בְּהֶמְשֵׁךְ.
nachzor laze behemshech.
Let’s come back to it later.