Hebrew Binyansבִּנְיָנִים
Learn the seven main binyans (verb patterns) of Hebrew
🧩 Understanding Binyans in Simple Terms
🎯 What are they?
Each binyan is a way to change the meaning of an action. Take the root ל.מ.ד (learning):
- • פעל: למד — to learn (you learn yourself)
- • פיעל: לימד — to teach (you teach others)
- • נפעל: נלמד — to be studied (something is studied)
🔍 How to remember them?
Start with פעל (the simplest), then learn פיעל and הפעיל (most useful). Learn the rest gradually as needed.
פָּעַל
Pa'al
This is like a basic recipe for making verbs. Most simple actions we do every day use this binyan.
Analogy: 🚶♂️ Like regular walking - simple, natural, effortless
📝 Examples:
🤔 When to use:
When describing ordinary actions: eat, sleep, read, write
נִפְעַל
Nif'al
Imagine instead of "I open the door" you say "The door opens". This is when action happens by itself or something happens to you.
Analogy: 🪞 Like reflection in a mirror - action reflects back
📝 Examples:
🤔 When to use:
When something happens by itself or others do something to you
פִּיעֵל
Pi'el
It's like adding "very" to an action. Or when you don't just do something, but do it deliberately, intensively, or teach it to others.
Analogy: 💪 Like intensive training - action with more force and purpose
📝 Examples:
🤔 When to use:
When you do something intensively or teach/make others do it
פּוּעַל
Pu'al
If פיעל is "doing something intensively to others", then פועל is "when something is done intensively to you". Rare but useful to know.
Analogy: 🎯 Like being a target - action is directed at you
📝 Examples:
🤔 When to use:
Rarely used in spoken language, more in written Hebrew
הִפְעִיל
Hif'il
This is when you don't do something yourself, but make or help others do it. Like being a director - you control the action.
Analogy: 🎬 Like a movie director - you control others' actions
📝 Examples:
🤔 When to use:
When you make, help or bring about a result
הוּפְעַל
Huf'al
The rarest binyan. If הפעיל is "making others", then הופעל is "when you are made to". Like being an actor whom the director tells what to do.
Analogy: 🎭 Like an actor following director's instructions
📝 Examples:
🤔 When to use:
Very rarely in spoken language, mainly in formal texts
הִתְפַּעֵל
Hitpa'el
This is when you do something to yourself (dress, wash) or when people do something together with each other (kiss, fight).
Analogy: 🤝 Like a pair dance - either with yourself or mutually with others
📝 Examples:
🤔 When to use:
For actions with oneself or mutual actions between people
🚀 Next Steps
Study in Detail
Click on any binyan above to see detailed rules and many examples
Practice
Use the trainer to practice conjugations and memorize forms
Find Examples
In the dictionary find specific verbs and see how they conjugate