10 Proven Ways to Memorize All 7 Binyanim

Binyanim (בניינים) is a system of 7 verb patterns in Hebrew that often causes difficulties for language learners. In this article, we'll share effective ways to memorize them.

What are Binyanim?

A binyan is a verb pattern that determines:

• The form of the verb
• Its meaning (active/passive voice, intensity)
• Conjugation by tenses and persons

There are 7 binyanim in total:

1. PAAL (פָּעַל) - simple action
2. NIFAL (נִפְעַל) - passive/reflexive
3. PIEL (פִּעֵל) - intensive action
4. PUAL (פֻּעַל) - passive of PIEL
5. HIFIL (הִפְעִיל) - causative
6. HUFAL (הֻפְעַל) - passive of HIFIL
7. HITPAEL (הִתְפַּעֵל) - reflexive

Method 1: Mnemonic Phrase

Remember the phrase: "PA-NI-PI-PU-HI-HU-HIT"

These are the first syllables of all binyanim in order:

• PAal
• NIfal
• PIel
• PUal
• HIfil (HIFIL)
• HUfal (HUFAL)
• HITpael (HITPAEL)

Method 2: Active vs Passive Pairs

Remember pairs of active and passive binyanim:

Pair 1: Simple action

• PAAL (active) → NIFAL (passive)
• Example: שָׁבַר (shabar - broke) → נִשְׁבַּר (nishbar - was broken)

Pair 2: Intensive action

• PIEL (active) → PUAL (passive)
• Example: דִּבֵּר (diber - spoke) → דֻּבַּר (dubar - was spoken)

Pair 3: Causative action

• HIFIL (active) → HUFAL (passive)
• Example: הִשְׁמִיעַ (hishmia - made hear) → הֻשְׁמַע (hushma - was heard)

Special case: HITPAEL

• Reflexive binyan without a pair
• Often translates with reflexive forms: להתלבש (lehitlabesh - to dress oneself)

Method 3: Color Coding

Create a color-coded table:

• 🔵 Active: PAAL, PIEL, HIFIL
• 🟢 Passive: NIFAL, PUAL, HUFAL
• 🟡 Reflexive: HITPAEL

Use the interactive table on HebrewGlot for practice.

Method 4: Regular Practice with Root פ-ע-ל

Learn the conjugation of the model root פ-ע-ל (peh-ayin-lamed) in all binyanim:

Binyan	Past (he)	Present (m.)	Future (I)
PAAL	פָּעַל	פּוֹעֵל	אֶפְעַל
NIFAL	נִפְעַל	נִפְעָל	אֶפָּעֵל
PIEL	פִּעֵל	מְפַעֵל	אֲפַעֵל
PUAL	פֻּעַל	מְפֻעָל	אֲפֻעַל
HIFIL	הִפְעִיל	מַפְעִיל	אַפְעִיל
HUFAL	הֻפְעַל	מֻפְעָל	אֻפְעַל
HITPAEL	הִתְפַּעֵל	מִתְפַּעֵל	אֶתְפַּעֵל

Method 5: Associations with Meaning

Each binyan has a characteristic meaning:

• PAAL - "do simply" (basic action)
• NIFAL - "it is done" (passive/reflexive)
• PIEL - "do intensively" (intensification)
• PUAL - "it is done intensively" (passive of intensive)
• HIFIL - "cause to do" (causative)
• HUFAL - "was caused to do" (passive causative)
• HITPAEL - "do for oneself" (reflexive)

Method 6: Anki Flashcards

Create a deck of cards with examples:

• Front side: verb + binyan
• Back side: translation + example sentence

Method 7: Using HebrewGlot Trainer

Practice daily with the binyan trainer:

• Recognizing binyan by verb form
• Conjugation by tenses
• Translating sentences

Method 8: Grouping by Vowels

Remember characteristic vowels:

• PAAL: patach-kamatz (פָּעַל)
• NIFAL: starts with נִ
• PIEL: chirik-tzere (פִּעֵל)
• PUAL: kubutz-kamatz (פֻּעַל)
• HIFIL: starts with הִ, has chirik
• HUFAL: starts with הֻ
• HITPAEL: starts with הִתְ

Method 9: Keeping a Diary

Write 3-5 sentences in Hebrew every day, consciously using different binyanim. Underline verbs and indicate the binyan.

Method 10: Creating Your Own Examples

Take a familiar root (e.g., כ-ת-ב "write") and create examples in all binyanim:

• PAAL: כָּתַב (katav) - wrote
• NIFAL: נִכְתַּב (nikhtav) - was written
• PIEL: כִּתֵּב (kiteb) - wrote (documents)
• HIFIL: הִכְתִּיב (hiktiv) - dictated
• HITPAEL: הִתְכַּתֵּב (hitkatev) - corresponded

Practical Advice

Don't try to learn everything at once!

Recommended learning order:

1. First PAAL and PIEL (months 1-2)
2. Then NIFAL and HIFIL (months 2-3)
3. After that remaining binyanim (months 3-4)

Conclusion

Memorizing binyanim is not magic, but systematic work. Use a combination of these methods, and in 3-4 months you'll be freely navigating the Hebrew verb system.

Start practicing right now on HebrewGlot!

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Article updated: October 26, 2025