Stop Trying To Make 'Sachi' Happen
A slang term that's not so easy to define has become more popular in recent years
Originally taken from Arabic, where it means ‘sober’, sachi was originally used to refer to someone who didn’t drink, smoke, or stay out late. You could say not the coolest individual. It took an almost silly feel for many years - “that person is so sachi!” but it has become more derogatory recently. It has become difficult to pin down its meaning, but many know how to use it.
In more challenging times, being optimistic can be seen as an undesirable trait. As Israel faces challenging times on a regular basis, there isn’t always so much space for optimism. Enter a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed American who says that it’s all going to be okay. That person would be seen as sachi. The trait is generally looked down upon and seen as foolish or unrealistic. It does seem to be important though to find a balance of sachi and not so as not to fall into a pessimistic rut.
Some Israelis might paint Americans with a brush of being sachi with the intention of saying that we are naive or overly hopeful. Sachi has come to be known almost as optimistic in general. It could even be tied to the slang frier. That would probably be the ultimate insult - a sachi frier.
A Window into Israeli Culture
Ulpan Aviv Bertele makes the case that learning about and using the word ‘sachi’’ is a valuable window into Israeli culture.
“Learning slang like סאחי is important not just because it expands your vocabulary, but because it gives you a deeper understanding of Israeli culture. Israeli society, especially in Tel Aviv, places high value on spontaneity, creativity, and open-mindedness. To many Israelis, being סאחי means being out of sync with this ethos. But remember, slang always has layers, and "סאחי" can also be used in a humorous or self-deprecating way by people who embrace their own so-called "square" qualities1.”
The embracing of being sachi does happen. Some people are secure in their unadventurous ways. It has become more acceptable to make healthy choices and be protective of sleep in a way that might not have been the case in the days of Fonzie when coolness was a highly valued commodity. It is also possible for someone to be cool without staying up late and drinking, so we might be in a new era of what it means to be cool.
This elusive definition feels more today like ‘naive’ or ‘foolishly optimistic’. It also seems uncool to be sachi, but it’s possible that residents outside of major cities don’t need to worry about this judgment. It is fine to go to sleep at a reasonable hour in Mitzpe Ramon and drinking a lot might not be part of the local culture on a kibbutz.
It feels at times that ‘sachi’’ is reserved for olim who are still very excited by the wonders of Israel and amazed by their surroundings. Can you believe that King David walked on this path? Did an Israeli distillery really win an award for best whisky in the world?
I’m proud to be sachi and there’s nothing wrong with that. I was amused that a former co-worker had the name Tzachi and when he introduced himself it sounded like “I am sachi”, which could be a symbolic gesture of owning one’s behavior.
If you enjoy late nights and lots of shots of arak, power to you and may you be safe and healthy. If you prefer curling up under a blanket and reading before going to bed at a reasonable hour, that’s okay too.
Song of the Week
לפעמים
Lee-faw-meem
Sometimes
Ravid Plotnik is the current king of Israeli rap. Liel Liebovitz of Tablet describes this song as giving you “more to think and feel about than other artists do in entire careers2.”
Slang of the Week
שופינג
shopping
There is a formal word for shopping (קניה / kih-nee-uh / buying), but this word has slipped into the Hebrew lexicon (much to the chagrin of the Academy for the Hebrew Language). A relevant word for this Black Friday, which has become a thing in Israel. Not as in the Friday after Thanksgiving, but as a term referring to a month of sales around this time.
Tune in next week for our newest Sababoosh episode with guest, Kobi Balulu, a hilarious and silly stand-up comedian. Doing stand-up in Hebrew and English, Kobi offers a unique perspective on comedy in different languages and cultures.
Thank you kindly for reading this week’s post. I hope that you will continue to read and enjoy. Share with family and friends!
Thank you for taking the time to view and listen to our content. Wishing you a Shabbat shalom!
Follow us on:
Website
Spotify
Understanding Israeli Slang Beyond the Dictionary: Sachi. https://www.avivbertele.com/post/when-would-you-use-skhy#:~:text=Interestingly%2C%20%D7%A1%D7%90%D7%97%D7%99%20comes%20from%20the,perceived%20as%20mainstream%20or%20unadventurous.
Leibovitz, Liel. “Israeli Rap for Grown-Ups”. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/israeli-rap-for-grown-ups