Ziva David's 15 Best NCIS Quotes

Published Jul 31, 2026, 2:30 PM EDT Cher Thompson is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, where she covers everything from explosive reality TV moments to cast interviews about the twists and turns of scripted dramas. With a background in creative writing, marketing, and teaching, Cher knows how to spot both the storytelling genius and the guilty pleasures in pop culture. Her work blends wit with insight, making readers feel like they’re chatting with a friend who just happens to know way too much about TV. NCIS has featured some iconic characters, including Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), whose time with the team came with a ton of memorable lines that ultimately got to the core of her character. Ziva, who joined the MCRT during NCIS season 3 and continued on the series until season 11, began her life in Israel as the daughter of Mossad Director Eli David, but after being assigned to the MCRT as a liaison officer, she eventually made her move to the team more permanent, falling into a pattern with agents Gibbs (Mark Harmon), DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), and McGee (Sean Murray). While Ziva came into the MCRT behind, she proved herself as one of the best agents in the team's history, regardless of her lack of understanding of American slang. Her relationship with her fellow team members, specifically her relationship with Tony, who was partner throughout the duration of her time on NCIS, was a major part of her story. While Tony and Ziva's relationship was always professional, it had an edge of intimacy to it that made for a tremendous will they/won't they dynamic. With some hilarious moments and some with depth, Ziva's best quotes range from sincere to silly. 15 "You are a broken tape, Gibbs." Season 3, Episode 2 One of the biggest differences between Ziva and the rest of her team is the fact that she isn't American, and despite knowing how to speak the language, doesn't fully understand American culture when she joins NCIS. With that learning curve comes Ziva's consistent misuse of idioms, which are usually corrected by Tony or McGee. In an early episode, she calls Gibbs a "broken tape," and while she doesn't intend to be charming to her future colleagues, her misuse of language endears her to them. 14 "I speak five languages. Forgive me if I get confused sometimes." Season 3, Episode 5 As Ziva's roots aren't in America, English isn't her first language though she is fluent and has no problems communicating with the team aside from her Ziva-isms. That being said, Ziva does enjoy sharing that she's not only a Hebrew and English speaker throughout her time on NCIS. A well-rounded, educated woman, Ziva speaks multiple languages, and doesn't shy away from feeling accomplished about it. Ziva's self-confidence is a massively underrated part of her personality. 13 "You are aware that I’ve never performed an interrogation without inflicting some sort of pain?" Season 3, Episode 11 Ziva is one of the toughest agents in NCIS history, and she's not afraid of the fact that she's a threat to those who cross her. Early on in her days with the MCRT, when she was still learning the ropes, Ziva was clear that she knew her strengths and how to use them to get what she wanted. In learning more about the MCRT's process, Ziva definitely had to scale herself back a bit, but she was always upfront — even in a jokey way — about the fact that she could inflict some pain. 12 "If the...glue sticks?" Season 3, Episode 15 CBS (via MoviesStillsDb) Although Ziva's misuse of language could be a funny bit, there were definitely times that her colleagues got tired of having to interpret and correct her language. Even so, Ziva was always determined to bring her own original spin on her idioms to the table, and it felt like there were sometimes she was getting them wrong on purpose in order to irritate Tony, specifically. Early on, she flubbed, "if the shoe fits," in such a unique way that it stayed memorable. 11 "Everyone's avoiding me! Do they think I'm going to lose control, just enter the building and massacre everyone? I mean, I'm being treated like a leopard." Season 3, Episode 22 Image via CBS During an early conversation with Ducky (David McCallum), Ziva produces a new Ziva-ism, and at the same time, she reveals just how tough it's been for her to figure out her place with the MCRT. Revealing to Ducky that she feels like everyone's avoiding her because they think she's going to go rogue, she says she feels like a "leopard" when she means she feels like a leper. Even so, the moment is a sweet one between Ziva and Ducky.​​​​​​​ 10 "Can Gibbs arrest God?" Season 4, Episode 5 Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic Gibbs is somewhat of an all-knowing figure in the world of NCIS, and his role on the MCRT often means that he's doing his best to balance leadership and support while resolving the team's cases as usual. In a jokey moment during NCIS season 4, while dealing with someone who's openly religious, Ziva teasingly asks Tony if Gibbs can arrest God, and though she's teasing, the joke is one that gives even Gibbs fans pause. 9 "I'm a trained navigator, Tony...I'm also a trained assassin." Season 5, Episode 8 Image from CBS via MovieStillsDB Ziva's relationship with Tony is one that spans decades and has all the best makings of a true slow burn, even if the pair are quick to tease one another and flirt when they first meet working on the MCRT. As Tony and Ziva get to know each other, the pair grow a close bond, but in the early days of their time together on NCIS, Ziva was always quick to remind Tony that she was stronger, more skilled, and ready to turn on him at any moment. 8 "Did you wake up in the wrong bed this morning?" Season 5, Episode 13 Image via CBS Another Ziva-ism, but this NCIS season 5 quote starts a particularly interesting part of Tony and Ziva's relationship. Throughout the first seasons of Tony and Ziva working together, their chemistry is addressed, but it doesn't entirely grow into anything legitimate. NCIS season 5 sees Ziva feeling a bit more jealous about the idea of Tony and other women, which is something she'd been having to deal with throughout their partnership. Asking if Tony woke up in the wrong bed may not be as much of a mistake as it is a genuine ask. 7 "My father used to blindfold us, and take us into the middle of the forest, and then we had to find our way out by ourselves." Season 6, Episode 19 Some of the darkest parts of Ziva come from her relationship with her father, and while this quote doesn't seem as harsh in the way Ziva delivers it, the memory she shares about her childhood feels bleak to someone raised without a survivalist parent. Ziva's father, a former Mossad director, bringing up his children to be able to rely on their instincts is a good memory for Ziva, but shows just how tough her life was growing up. 6 "I had nothing but death in my heart." Season 7, Episode 14 Ziva's early moments of NCIS season 7 were dire, as she was being held and tortured before the MCRT found and rescued her, and the PTSD that stemmed from her abduction was intense. In a dark moment, Ziva reveals that she'd almost managed to turn her humanity off during her time in captivity, sharing that she had "nothing but death" in her heart. Although Ziva ultimately figures out how to deal with what's happened to her, it's a pivotal part of her NCIS storyline.