Learning Verbs Flashcards
An introduction to Hebrew verbs
Hebrew verbs can be classified into any one of seven binyanim. Each Binyan portrays a particular aspect of the root. The idea is that you can build all verbs by obeying certain rules.
An introductory example of Hebrew roots
Please note that most verbs do not fit into all binyan.
A lot of roots only fit into two or three binyans.
The average root can fit into four or five binyans.
Here is a root which is inflected through all seven binyan. The root is כ-ת-ב which conveys the idea of writing.
Pa’al He wrote katav כתב
Pi’el He engraved kittev כיתב
Hif’il He dictated hich’tiv הכתיב
Hitpa’el He corresponded hitcattev הכתיב
Huf’al He was dictated huch’tav הוכתב
Pu’al It was engraved cuttav כותב
Nif’al It was written nich’tav נכתב
What is the 1st Binyan called and what form of the root does it convey?
The FIRST BINYAN is called PA’AL.
It’s the form of the root which conveys the SIMPLE ACTIVE aspect.
E.G. He wrote a book
What is the 2nd Binyan called and what form of the root does it convey?
The SECOND BINYAN is called PI’EL.
It conveys the more INTENSIVE ACTIVE form of the root.
E.G. He engraved tablets
What is the 3rd Binyan called and what form of the root does it convey?
The THIRD BINYAN is called HIF’IL.
Its the CAUSTIVE ACTIVE form of the root.
E.G. He dictated (someone else did the action)
What is the 4th Binyan called and what form of the root does it convey?
The FOURTH BINYAN is called HITPA’EL.
It is both passive and active at the same time.
It is the REFLEXIVE / COOPERATIVE aspect.
E.G. Corresponding
What is the 5th Binyan called and what form of the root does it convey?
The FIFTH BINYAN is called HUF’AL.
It is equivalent to the third Binyan but is in the passive voice.
It is the CAUSTIVE PASSIVE form of the verb.
E.G. The letter was dictated
What is the 6th Binyan called and what form of the root does it convey?
The SIXTH BINYAN is called PU’AL.
It is equivalent to the second Binyan but is in the passive voice.
It is the INTENSIVE PASSIVE form of the verb.
E.G. The stone was engraved
What is the 7th Binyan called and what form of the root does it convey?
The SEVENTH BINYAN is called NIF’AL.
It is the equivalent to the first Binyan but is in the passive voice.
It is the SIMPLE PASSIVE form of the verb.
E.G. The book was written
An example of the possible aspects pa’al verbs can portray.
Pa’al
1. Simple active He killed קטל He learns למד He saw ראה He washed רחץ He broke שבר He wore לבש He loved אהב
- Simple intransitive active
He was lost אבד
He was scared פחד
An example of the possible aspects pi’el verbs can portray
Pi’el
- Intensive active
He slaughtered him קיטל אותו
He shattered שיבר - Simple active (no pa’al form exists)
He spoke Hebrew דיבר עברית - Caustics active
He taught (caused learning) לימד
He lost keys (caused them to be lost) איבד מפתחות
He confused (caused confusion) בילבל
An example of the possible aspects hif’il verbs can portray
Hif’il
1. Causative active He showed (caused seeing) הראה He dictated (caused writing) הכתיב He destroyed (caused utter loss) האביד He dressed a boy (caused wearing) הלביש ילד
- Transformational
He became white הלביך
An example of the possible aspects hitpa’el verbs can portray
Hitpa’el
1. Reflexive (one does oneself) He killed himself התאבד He washed himself התרחץ He taught himself התלמד He dressed himself התלבש
2. Cooperative (one does with someone else) He corresponded (with her) התכתב He got married with her התחתך They kissed (each other) התנשקו Let’s see each other again להתראות
- Transformational (words with “got”)
It got broken השתבר
He got confused התבלבל
They fell in love התאהבו - Generally passive
He was covered התכסה
He was blessed התברך
An example of the aspects huf’al verbs can portray
Huf’al
- Passive of hif’il
He was dressed up הולבש
It was shown הוראה
An example of the aspects that pu’al verbs can portray
Pu’al
- Passive of pi’el
He was educated לומד
Hebrew was spoken עברית דוברה
An example of the aspects that nif’al verbs can portray
Nif’al
1. Passive of pa’al He was killed נקטל It seemed (it looked like) נראה It was broken נשבר A shirt was worn חולצה נלבשה
- Simple active
He entered נכנס
He met נפגש
He remembered (suddenly) נזכר
A note on forming verbs
Please note not all verbs follow the examples set out below some have slight inflections but the majority will fall under the following rules set out in this deck.
