Language/Hebrew/Grammar/Nouns

Hebrew Grammar - Nouns

Hi Hebrew learners! 😊
In this lesson, we'll be focusing on Hebrew nouns. Nouns are one of the most important parts of speech in Hebrew. They are words that refer to people, places, things, and ideas. Understanding Hebrew nouns is essential to being able to communicate effectively.

Basic Noun Structure

A noun in Hebrew typically consists of a root and a pattern. The root consists of three consonants and represents the core concept of the noun, while the pattern is the arrangement of vowels and additional consonants surrounding the root that indicate its grammatical function. For example, the word for "book" in Hebrew is סֵפֶר (sefer). The root of the word is ס-פ-ר (s-p-r), which means "to count". The pattern יֵם (yeym) indicates that the noun is masculine and plural.

Keep in mind that the vowels in the pattern may change depending on the grammatical function of the noun. For example, if the noun is in the possessive form, the pattern for a masculine singular noun would be י-שׁ (y-sh) instead of י (y).

Gender in Hebrew Nouns

Hebrew nouns have two genders: masculine and feminine. In general, masculine nouns end in ם (m) or ן (n), while feminine nouns end in ה (h). However, there are many exceptions to this rule, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the gender of specific nouns.

Interestingly, inanimate objects, such as chairs or tables, are usually classified as masculine or feminine in Hebrew, unlike in English where they are gender-neutral. For example, the Hebrew word for "chair" כִּסֶּא (kise) is masculine, and the word for "table" שולחן (shulkhan) is masculine, while the word for "door" דֶּלֶת (delet) is feminine.

One way to remember the gender of a noun is to associate it with an image in your mind. For example, you could associate the word for "car," רֶכֶב (rekev), with an image of a masculine sports car.

Number in Hebrew Nouns

Hebrew nouns can be singular or plural. As mentioned earlier, the pattern of the noun can indicate whether it is singular or plural. For example, the pattern יִם (yim) indicates a masculine plural noun, while the pattern וֹת (ot) indicates a feminine plural noun.

There are also some irregular plural nouns in Hebrew that don't follow the typical patterns, such as the word for "man" אִישׁ (ish) which becomes אֲנָשִׁים (anashim) in the plural form.

Possessive Forms

In Hebrew, possessive forms are used to show ownership or attribution. For example, the word for "my book" would be הַסֵּפֶר שֶׁלִּי (ha-sefer sheli), which literally means "the book of me". Possessive forms in Hebrew can precede or follow the noun, depending on the context, but they always include a form of the word for "of" which is שֶׁל (shel).

Here is an example dialogue to illustrate the use of possessive forms:

• Person 1: הַסֵּפֶר שֶׁלִּי (ha-sefer sheli) ("my book")
• Person 2: הַסֵּפֶר שֶׁלָּךְ (ha-sefer shalkha) ("your book")
• Person 1: הַסֵּפֶר שֶׁלָּנוּ (ha-sefer shalanu) ("our book")

Note that the possessive form can also indicate relationships, such as "the book of my brother" הַסֵּפֶר שֶׁל אָחִי (ha-sefer shel achi).

Plural Forms of Irregular Nouns

As mentioned earlier, there are many irregular plural nouns in Hebrew that don't follow the typical masculine or feminine patterns. Here are some examples of irregular plurals and their singular forms:

Hebrew	Pronunciation	English
אִישׁ	ish	man
אִשָּׁה	isha	woman
יֶלֶד	yeled	child
יְמֵי הַשָּׁנָה	yemei ha-shana	days of the year
רָגְלַיִם	raglayim	feet

Conclusion

Congratulations! Now you know more about Hebrew nouns. Keep practicing and getting familiar with gender, number, and the use of possessive forms - this will help you take your Hebrew skills to the next level. To improve your Hebrew Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Sources

• Hebrew Nouns
• Hebrew Grammar
• Modern Hebrew Grammar