Chapter 5 - Definitive Article Summary

Question 1

Basic Form: Prefix הַ (ha) with Dagesh Forte in the first consonant.

Answer 1

Example: הַמֶּלֶךְ (the king)
Indefinite: מֶלֶךְ (melech) - a king
Definite: הַמֶּלֶךְ (ha-melech) - the king

Question 2

Virtual Doubling (g): When ה or ח is the first consonant, the Dagesh Forte is rejected without vowel lengthening.

Answer 2

Indefinite: הֵיכָל (heikhal) - a palace
Definite: הַהֵיכָל (ha-heikhal) - the palace

Question 2

Begadkephat: Words with initial Begadkephat consonants (ב, ג, ד, כ, פ, ת) will have a Dagesh Forte.

Answer 2

Indefinite: דֶּרֶךְ (derekh) - a road
Definite: הַדֶּרֶךְ (ha-derekh) - the road

Question 2

Compensatory Lengthening (g): For guttural consonants (א, ע, ח), the Patach (short ‘a’) lengthens to Qamets (long ‘a’).

Answer 2

Indefinite: אִישׁ (ish) - a man
Definite: הָאִישׁ (ha-ish) - the man

Question 2

Irregular Seghol (g): Before unaccented ה, ח, or ע, the article appears with Seghol vowel (ֶ) without Dagesh Forte.

Answer 2

Indefinite: עָנָן (anan) - a cloud
Definite: הֶעָנָן (he-anan) - the cloud

Question 2

sqnmlwy: When a sqnmlwy consonant appears with Dagesh Forte and Vocal Shewa, the Dagesh Forte drops out.

Answer 2

Indefinite: יְלָדִים (yeladim) - boys
Definite: הַיְלָדִים (ha-yeladim) - the boys