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{{Hebrew-Page-Top}}
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<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Hebrew|Hebrew]]  → [[Language/Hebrew/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Hebrew/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Grammar Review → Review of Verbs</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Hebrew|Hebrew]]  → [[Language/Hebrew/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Hebrew/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Review of Verbs</div>
 
Welcome to our lesson on Hebrew verbs! Understanding verbs is essential for effective communication in any language, and Hebrew is no exception. In this lesson, we will dive deep into the world of Hebrew verbs, exploring their conjugation in the present, past, and future tenses, as well as the use of auxiliary verbs.
 
Verbs are the action words in a sentence that convey what the subject is doing. In Hebrew, verbs are particularly interesting because they are inflected for tense, gender, and number, making them a bit more complex than in English. This complexity can be daunting at first, but with practice, you’ll find that you can master Hebrew verbs and use them to express yourself clearly and confidently.
 
Here’s what we’ll cover in this lesson:
 
* The importance of verbs in Hebrew
 
* Overview of verb conjugation in different tenses
 
* Examples of verbs in action
 
* Exercises to test your understanding
 
By the end of this lesson, you'll have a solid understanding of Hebrew verbs, which will serve as a strong foundation for your continued learning.


__TOC__
__TOC__


== Introduction ==
=== The Importance of Verbs in Hebrew ===
 
Verbs in Hebrew are critical for forming sentences that convey meaning. They allow us to express actions, states of being, and changes. Without verbs, communication would be limited to nouns and adjectives, which would make it difficult to describe what we do or what happens in the world around us.


Welcome back, students! In this lesson, we will be reviewing the concepts of verbs in Hebrew. Verbs are an essential part of any language, as they allow us to express actions, states of being, and events. Understanding how to conjugate verbs and use them in different tenses will greatly enhance your ability to communicate in Hebrew.
In Hebrew, verbs can also indicate tense, gender, and number. This means that a single verb can change form depending on who is performing the action and when it is happening. For example, the verb "to eat" (לאכול) can change based on whether the subject is male or female and whether the action is happening in the past, present, or future.


Throughout this lesson, we will delve into the details of Hebrew verbs, including conjugation in the present, past, and future tenses, as well as the use of auxiliary verbs. We will provide numerous examples to illustrate each point, ensuring that you have a clear and thorough understanding of the topic. Additionally, we will explore any regional variations in the usage or understanding of verbs and share interesting cultural facts or anecdotes related to this topic.
=== Overview of Verb Conjugation ===


So, let's jump right in and review the fascinating world of Hebrew verbs!
Let's break down the conjugation of Hebrew verbs into the three main tenses: present, past, and future.


== Conjugation in the Present Tense ==
==== Present Tense ====


In Hebrew, verbs are conjugated to indicate the subject of the sentence, as well as the tense and mood of the action. Let's start by reviewing the conjugation of verbs in the present tense.
In Hebrew, the present tense is typically formed by adding specific prefixes and suffixes to the root of the verb. The structure can vary depending on the subject's gender and number.


To conjugate a verb in the present tense, you need to know the root letters of the verb and apply the appropriate conjugation pattern based on the gender and number of the subject. Let's take a look at an example:
For example, the verb "to write" (לכתוב) is conjugated as follows:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Hebrew !! Pronunciation !! English
! Hebrew !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| אני כותב || ani kotev || I (male) write
|-
| אני כותבת || ani kotevet || I (female) write
|-
|-
| לִקְרֹא || lik-ro || to read (masculine singular)
 
| אתה כותב || ata kotev || You (male) write
 
|-
|-
| לִקְרֹאָה || lik-ro-a || to read (feminine singular)
 
| את כותבת || at kotevet || You (female) write
 
|-
|-
| לִקְרֹא || lik-ro || to read (masculine plural)
 
| הוא כותב || hu kotev || He writes
 
|-
|-
| לִקְרֹאוֹת || lik-ro-ot || to read (feminine plural)
|}


As you can see, the verb "to read" is conjugated differently based on the gender and number of the subject. This pattern applies to most Hebrew verbs in the present tense.
| היא כותבת || hi kotevet || She writes
 
|-


Here are a few more examples of verbs conjugated in the present tense:
| אנחנו כותבים || anachnu kotvim || We write


{| class="wikitable"
! Hebrew !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| לִכְתֹּב || lichtov || to write
 
| אתם כותבים || atem kotvim || You (plural, male) write  
 
|-
|-
| לִבְנוֹת || livnot || to build
 
| אתן כותבות || aten kotvot || You (plural, female) write
 
|-
|-
| לִשְׁתוֹת || lishtot || to drink
 
| הם כותבים || hem kotvim || They (male) write
 
|-
|-
| לִתְפֹּלֵל || litpo-lel || to pray
 
| הן כותבות || hen kotvot || They (female) write
 
|}
|}


Now, let's move on to the conjugation of verbs in the past tense.
==== Past Tense ====


== Conjugation in the Past Tense ==
The past tense in Hebrew is formed by using specific suffixes that correspond to the gender and number of the subject. The root of the verb remains the same, while the endings change.


The past tense in Hebrew is used to describe actions that have already happened. To conjugate a verb in the past tense, you need to know the root letters of the verb and apply the appropriate conjugation pattern based on the gender and number of the subject. Let's take a look at an example:
For example, the verb "to write" (לכתוב) in the past tense looks like this:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Hebrew !! Pronunciation !! English
! Hebrew !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| אני כתבתי || ani katavti || I (male) wrote
|-
| אני כתבתי || ani katavti || I (female) wrote
|-
| אתה כתבת || ata katavta || You (male) wrote
|-
|-
| קָרָאתִי || ka-ra-ti || I read
 
| את כתבת || at katavt || You (female) wrote
 
|-
|-
| קָרָאתְ || ka-ra-t || you read (masculine singular)
 
| הוא כתב || hu katav || He wrote
 
|-
|-
| קָרְאָה || ka-ra-a || she read
 
| היא כתבה || hi katva || She wrote
 
|-
|-
| קָרָאתָ || ka-ra-ta || you read (feminine singular)
 
| אנחנו כתבנו || anachnu katavnu || We wrote
 
|-
|-
| קָרִינוּ || ka-ri-nu || we read
 
| אתם כתבתם || atem katavtem || You (plural, male) wrote
 
|-
|-
| קְרָאתֶם || ke-ra-tem || you read (masculine plural)
 
| אתן כתבתן || aten katavten || You (plural, female) wrote
 
|-
|-
| קְרָאתֶן || ke-ra-ten || you read (feminine plural)
 
| הם כתבו || hem katvu || They (male) wrote
 
|-
|-
| קָרְאוּ || ka-ru || they read
 
| הן כתבו || hen katvu || They (female) wrote
 
|}
|}


As you can see, the past tense conjugation of verbs in Hebrew is more complex than the present tense. It includes different suffixes and vowel changes to indicate the subject and tense of the verb.
==== Future Tense ====
 
In the future tense, Hebrew verbs also change to indicate who will perform the action. The structure often involves prefixes and specific endings.


Here are a few more examples of verbs conjugated in the past tense:
For the verb "to write" (לכתוב) in the future tense, we see:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Hebrew !! Pronunciation !! English
! Hebrew !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| אני אכתוב || ani ekhtov || I (male) will write
|-
| אני אכתוב || ani ekhtov || I (female) will write
|-
| אתה תכתוב || ata takhtov || You (male) will write
|-
| את תכתבי || at takhtvi || You (female) will write
|-
|-
| כָּתַבְתִּי || ka-tav-ti || I wrote
 
| הוא יכתוב || hu yikhtov || He will write
 
|-
|-
| כָּתַבְתָּ || ka-tav-ta || you wrote (masculine singular)
 
| היא תכתוב || hi tikhtov || She will write
 
|-
|-
| כָּתַבְתְּ || ka-tav-t || you wrote (feminine singular)
 
| אנחנו נכתוב || anachnu nikhtov || We will write
 
|-
|-
| כָּתַבְנוּ || ka-tav-nu || we wrote
 
| אתם תכתבו || atem tikhtvu || You (plural, male) will write
 
|-
|-
| כְּתַבְתֶּם || ke-tav-tem || you wrote (masculine plural)
 
| אתן תכתבו || aten tikhtvu || You (plural, female) will write
 
|-
|-
| כְּתַבְתֶּן || ke-tav-ten || you wrote (feminine plural)
 
| הם יכתבו || hem yikhtvu || They (male) will write
 
|-
|-
| כָּתְבוּ || ka-ta-vu || they wrote
 
| הן יכתבו || hen yikhtvu || They (female) will write
 
|}
|}


Now that we have reviewed the past tense, let's move on to the conjugation of verbs in the future tense.
=== Auxiliary Verbs ===
 
In Hebrew, auxiliary verbs are used to help form different tenses or to add emphasis to the main verb. The most common auxiliary verb in Hebrew is "to be" (להיות), which is often omitted in the present tense but is crucial in the past and future tenses.


== Conjugation in the Future Tense ==
For example, in the sentence "I am happy" (אני שמח), the verb "to be" is implied and not explicitly stated. However, in the past tense, it would be used: "I was happy" (אני הייתי שמח).


The future tense in Hebrew is used to describe actions that will happen in the future. To conjugate a verb in the future tense, you need to know the root letters of the verb and apply the appropriate conjugation pattern based on the gender and number of the subject. Let's take a look at an example:
Here's how the auxiliary verb "to be" conjugates in the past and future tense:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Hebrew !! Pronunciation !! English
! Hebrew !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| אני הייתי || ani hayiti || I was
|-
| אתה היית || ata hayita || You (male) were
|-
| את היית || at hayit || You (female) were
|-
|-
| אֶקְרָא || ek-ra || I will read
 
| הוא היה || hu haya || He was
 
|-
|-
| תִּקְרָא || ti-kra || you will read
 
| היא הייתה || hi hayeta || She was
 
|-
|-
| יִקְרָא || yi-kra || he will read
 
| אנחנו היינו || anachnu hayinu || We were
 
|-
|-
| תִּקְרְאִי || ti-kre-i || you will read (feminine singular)
 
| אתם הייתם || atem hayitem || You (plural, male) were
 
|-
|-
| נִקְרָא || ni-kra || we will read
 
| אתן הייתן || aten hayiten || You (plural, female) were
 
|-
|-
| תִּקְרְאוּ || ti-kre-u || you will read (plural)
 
| הם היו || hem hayu || They (male) were
 
|-
|-
| יִקְרְאוּ || yi-kre-u || they will read
 
| הן היו || hen hayu || They (female) were
 
|}
|}


Similar to the past tense, the future tense conjugation of verbs in Hebrew includes different suffixes and vowel changes to indicate the subject and tense of the verb.
In the future tense, "to be" is expressed as follows:


Here are a few more examples of verbs conjugated in the future tense:
{| class="wikitable"


{| class="wikitable"
! Hebrew !! Pronunciation !! English
! Hebrew !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| אני אהיה || ani ehye || I will be
|-
| אתה תהיה || ata tihye || You (male) will be
|-
| את תהיה || at tihyi || You (female) will be
|-
|-
| אֶכְתֹּב || ek-tov || I will write
 
| הוא יהיה || hu yihye || He will be
 
|-
|-
| תִּכְתֹּב || ti-chtov || you will write
 
| היא תהיה || hi tihye || She will be
 
|-
|-
| יִכְתֹּב || yi-chtov || he will write
 
| אנחנו נהיה || anachnu nahye || We will be
 
|-
|-
| תִּכְתְּבִי || ti-chto-vi || you will write (feminine singular)
 
| אתם תהיו || atem tihyu || You (plural, male) will be
 
|-
|-
| נִכְתֹּב || ni-chtov || we will write
 
| אתן תהיו || aten tihyu || You (plural, female) will be
 
|-
|-
| תִּכְתְּבוּ || ti-chto-vu || you will write (plural)
 
| הם יהיו || hem yihyu || They (male) will be
 
|-
|-
| יִכְתְּבוּ || yi-chto-vu || they will write
 
| הן יהיו || hen yihyu || They (female) will be
 
|}
|}


Now that we have covered the conjugation of verbs in the present, past, and future tenses, let's move on to the use of auxiliary verbs in Hebrew.
=== Practical Exercises ===
 
To help solidify your understanding of Hebrew verbs, let's engage in some exercises!
 
==== Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks ====
 
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb "to eat" (לאכול) in the present tense.
 
1. אני _______ (לאכול) תפוח.
 
2. אתה _______ (לאכול) לחם.
 
3. היא _______ (לאכול) עוגה.
 
4. אנחנו _______ (לאכול) ארוחת ערב.
 
5. הם _______ (לאכול) סלט.
 
'''Answers:'''
 
1. אני אוכלת (ani okhelet) - I (female) eat
 
2. אתה אוכל (ata ochel) - You (male) eat
 
3. היא אוכלת (hi okhelet) - She eats
 
4. אנחנו אוכלים (anachnu okhlim) - We eat
 
5. הם אוכלים (hem okhlim) - They (male) eat
 
==== Exercise 2: Conjugate the Verb ====
 
Conjugate the verb "to read" (לקרוא) in the past tense for all subjects.
 
'''Answers:'''
 
| Hebrew          | Pronunciation      | English        |
 
|------------------|-------------------|------------------|
 
| אני קראתי      | ani karati        | I (female) read  |
 
| אני קראתי      | ani karati        | I (male) read    |
 
| אתה קראת        | ata karata        | You (male) read  |
 
| את קראת        | at karat          | You (female) read |
 
| הוא קרא        | hu kara          | He read          |
 
| היא קראה        | hi kara'a        | She read          |
 
| אנחנו קראנו    | anachnu karanu    | We read          |
 
| אתם קראתם      | atem karatem      | You (plural, male) read |
 
| אתן קראתן      | aten karaten      | You (plural, female) read |
 
| הם קראו        | hem karu          | They (male) read  |
 
| הן קראו        | hen karu          | They (female) read|
 
==== Exercise 3: Translate the Sentences ====
 
Translate the following sentences into Hebrew using the correct verb forms.
 
1. I will write a letter.
 
2. You (female) were happy.
 
3. They (female) will eat pizza.
 
'''Answers:'''
 
1. אני אכתוב מכתב (ani ekhtov mikhtav).
 
2. את היית שמחה (at hayit smecha).
 
3. הן יאכלו פיצה (hen yokhlu pitzah).
 
==== Exercise 4: Verb Matching ====
 
Match the Hebrew verbs with their English meanings.
 
1. לִכתוֹב
 
2. לִקרוֹא


== Use of Auxiliary Verbs ==
3. לֶאֱכוֹל


Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, are used in conjunction with the main verb to convey additional information about the action or state of being. In Hebrew, two common auxiliary verbs are "to be" (לִהְיוֹת) and "to have" (לִהְיוֹת יֵשׁ לְ).
4. לִשְׂחוֹת


Let's take a look at how these auxiliary verbs are used in sentences:
| Hebrew          | English          |


1. "To be" (לִהְיוֹת):
|------------------|------------------|
  - אֲנִי רוֹצֶה לִהְיוֹת שָׁמֵשׁ. (I want to be a sun.)
  - הוּא נוֹרָא בַּלַּיְלָה. הוּא לֹא רוֹצֶה לִהְיוֹת לְבַד. (He is scared at night. He doesn't want to be alone.)


2. "To have" (לִהְיוֹת יֵשׁ לְ):
| א. לִכתוֹב      | 1. to swim      |
  - יֵשׁ לִי סֵפֶר. (I have a book.)
  - יֵשׁ לָנוּ כֶּלֶב. (We have a dog.)


Auxiliary verbs are an important part of Hebrew grammar, as they allow us to express various tenses, moods, and aspects of verbs. It's essential to understand their usage and conjugation patterns to communicate effectively in Hebrew.
| ב. לִקרוֹא      | 2. to read      |


== Cultural Insights ==
| ג. לֶאֱכוֹל    | 3. to write      |


Hebrew is not only a language but also a gateway to understanding the rich culture and history of Israel. The use of verbs in Hebrew reflects the values, customs, and traditions of the Hebrew-speaking people.
| ד. לִשְׂחוֹת    | 4. to eat        |


In Israeli society, the Hebrew language is deeply connected to Jewish heritage and the revival of the Hebrew nation. The study of Hebrew verbs provides insights into Jewish religious texts, including the Torah and the Talmud, where verbs play a crucial role in conveying the laws, stories, and teachings of Judaism.
'''Answers:'''


Additionally, Hebrew verbs play a significant role in Israeli literature, poetry, and music. Israeli poets and songwriters often use verbs to evoke emotions, describe landscapes, and express the unique experiences of the Israeli people. Studying Hebrew verbs will enhance your appreciation for Israeli culture and enable you to engage with its artistic expressions on a deeper level.
* א → 3


== Practice Exercises ==
* ב → 2


Now it's time to put your knowledge of Hebrew verbs into practice! Here are a few exercises to help you apply what you've learned:
* ג → 4


1. Conjugate the verb "to eat" (לֶאֱכוֹל) in the present, past, and future tenses for different subjects (I, you, he/she, we, you, they).
* ד → 1


2. Write a short paragraph describing your daily routine using verbs in the present tense.
==== Exercise 5: Identify the Tense ====


3. Translate the following sentences into Hebrew:
Identify the tense of the following verbs and provide the subject.
  a. We will go to the beach tomorrow.
  b. She read an interesting book.
  c. They wrote a letter to their grandparents.


Take your time and don't hesitate to refer back to the lesson for guidance. Once you've completed the exercises, you can check your answers below.
1. היא כתבתי


== Exercise Solutions ==
2. אני אכתוב


1. Conjugation of the verb "to eat" (לֶאֱכוֹל):
3. הם אכלו
  - אֲנִי אוֹכֵל
  - אַתָּה אוֹכֵל (masculine singular)
  - הוּא/הִיא אוֹכֶלֶת
  - אַתְּ אוֹכֶלֶת (feminine singular)
  - אֲנַחְנוּ אוֹכְלִים
  - אַתֶּם אוֹכְלִים (masculine plural)
  - אַתֶּן אוֹכְלוֹת (feminine plural)
  - הֵם/הֵן אוֹכְלִים


2. Sample paragraph describing a daily routine:
'''Answers:'''
  אֲנִי מְתַעוֵּף בְּשָׁעוֹת הַבֹּקֶר. אֲנִי אוֹכֵל אֶת אַרוּחָתִי, וְאָז אֲנִי הוֹלֵךְ לַעֲבוֹדָה. בָּעֶרֶב, אֲנִי נִפְגַּשׁ עִם הַחֲבֵרִים שֶׁלִּי וַאֲנִי רוֹקֵד עַד עָרֵב מְאוֹד מְאוֹד.


3. Translation of sentences into Hebrew:
1. Past tense, subject: היא (hi - she)
  a. אֲנַחְנוּ נֵלְךְ לַחוֹף מָחָר.
  b. הִיא קָרְאָה סֵפֶר מְעַנֶּיָּן.
  c. הֵם כָּתְבוּ מִכְתָּב לְסַבְּתֵיהֶם.


Congratulations on completing the exercises! You're well on your way to mastering Hebrew verbs.
2. Future tense, subject: אני (ani - I)


== Conclusion ==
3. Past tense, subject: הם (hem - they)


In this lesson, we reviewed the concepts of verbs in Hebrew, including conjugation in the present, past, and future tenses, as well as the use of auxiliary verbs. We explored the cultural significance of Hebrew verbs and their connection to Jewish heritage, literature, and music. We also provided practice exercises to help you apply what you've learned.
=== Conclusion ===


Keep practicing your verb conjugations and using verbs in various contexts to strengthen your Hebrew language skills. In the next lesson, we will continue our grammar review by focusing on another important aspect of Hebrew language structure. See you then!
Now that you have a solid understanding of Hebrew verbs, including their conjugation in present, past, and future tenses, as well as the use of auxiliary verbs, you're well on your way to forming more complex sentences in Hebrew. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't hesitate to revisit these concepts often.
 
Keep practicing, and soon you'll find that using Hebrew verbs becomes second nature. Happy learning!


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|description=In this lesson, we will review the concepts of Hebrew verbs, including conjugation in present, past, and future tenses, and the use of auxiliary verbs. Explore the cultural significance of Hebrew verbs and their connection to Jewish heritage, literature, and music. Complete practice exercises to apply what you've learned.
 
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==Videos==
==Videos==

Latest revision as of 03:33, 1 August 2024

◀️ Review of Adjectives — Previous Lesson

Hebrew-Language-PolyglotClub.png
Hebrew → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Review of Verbs

Welcome to our lesson on Hebrew verbs! Understanding verbs is essential for effective communication in any language, and Hebrew is no exception. In this lesson, we will dive deep into the world of Hebrew verbs, exploring their conjugation in the present, past, and future tenses, as well as the use of auxiliary verbs.

Verbs are the action words in a sentence that convey what the subject is doing. In Hebrew, verbs are particularly interesting because they are inflected for tense, gender, and number, making them a bit more complex than in English. This complexity can be daunting at first, but with practice, you’ll find that you can master Hebrew verbs and use them to express yourself clearly and confidently.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this lesson:

  • The importance of verbs in Hebrew
  • Overview of verb conjugation in different tenses
  • Examples of verbs in action
  • Exercises to test your understanding

By the end of this lesson, you'll have a solid understanding of Hebrew verbs, which will serve as a strong foundation for your continued learning.

The Importance of Verbs in Hebrew[edit | edit source]

Verbs in Hebrew are critical for forming sentences that convey meaning. They allow us to express actions, states of being, and changes. Without verbs, communication would be limited to nouns and adjectives, which would make it difficult to describe what we do or what happens in the world around us.

In Hebrew, verbs can also indicate tense, gender, and number. This means that a single verb can change form depending on who is performing the action and when it is happening. For example, the verb "to eat" (לאכול) can change based on whether the subject is male or female and whether the action is happening in the past, present, or future.

Overview of Verb Conjugation[edit | edit source]

Let's break down the conjugation of Hebrew verbs into the three main tenses: present, past, and future.

Present Tense[edit | edit source]

In Hebrew, the present tense is typically formed by adding specific prefixes and suffixes to the root of the verb. The structure can vary depending on the subject's gender and number.

For example, the verb "to write" (לכתוב) is conjugated as follows:

Hebrew Pronunciation English
אני כותב ani kotev I (male) write
אני כותבת ani kotevet I (female) write
אתה כותב ata kotev You (male) write
את כותבת at kotevet You (female) write
הוא כותב hu kotev He writes
היא כותבת hi kotevet She writes
אנחנו כותבים anachnu kotvim We write
אתם כותבים atem kotvim You (plural, male) write
אתן כותבות aten kotvot You (plural, female) write
הם כותבים hem kotvim They (male) write
הן כותבות hen kotvot They (female) write

Past Tense[edit | edit source]

The past tense in Hebrew is formed by using specific suffixes that correspond to the gender and number of the subject. The root of the verb remains the same, while the endings change.

For example, the verb "to write" (לכתוב) in the past tense looks like this:

Hebrew Pronunciation English
אני כתבתי ani katavti I (male) wrote
אני כתבתי ani katavti I (female) wrote
אתה כתבת ata katavta You (male) wrote
את כתבת at katavt You (female) wrote
הוא כתב hu katav He wrote
היא כתבה hi katva She wrote
אנחנו כתבנו anachnu katavnu We wrote
אתם כתבתם atem katavtem You (plural, male) wrote
אתן כתבתן aten katavten You (plural, female) wrote
הם כתבו hem katvu They (male) wrote
הן כתבו hen katvu They (female) wrote

Future Tense[edit | edit source]

In the future tense, Hebrew verbs also change to indicate who will perform the action. The structure often involves prefixes and specific endings.

For the verb "to write" (לכתוב) in the future tense, we see:

Hebrew Pronunciation English
אני אכתוב ani ekhtov I (male) will write
אני אכתוב ani ekhtov I (female) will write
אתה תכתוב ata takhtov You (male) will write
את תכתבי at takhtvi You (female) will write
הוא יכתוב hu yikhtov He will write
היא תכתוב hi tikhtov She will write
אנחנו נכתוב anachnu nikhtov We will write
אתם תכתבו atem tikhtvu You (plural, male) will write
אתן תכתבו aten tikhtvu You (plural, female) will write
הם יכתבו hem yikhtvu They (male) will write
הן יכתבו hen yikhtvu They (female) will write

Auxiliary Verbs[edit | edit source]

In Hebrew, auxiliary verbs are used to help form different tenses or to add emphasis to the main verb. The most common auxiliary verb in Hebrew is "to be" (להיות), which is often omitted in the present tense but is crucial in the past and future tenses.

For example, in the sentence "I am happy" (אני שמח), the verb "to be" is implied and not explicitly stated. However, in the past tense, it would be used: "I was happy" (אני הייתי שמח).

Here's how the auxiliary verb "to be" conjugates in the past and future tense:

Hebrew Pronunciation English
אני הייתי ani hayiti I was
אתה היית ata hayita You (male) were
את היית at hayit You (female) were
הוא היה hu haya He was
היא הייתה hi hayeta She was
אנחנו היינו anachnu hayinu We were
אתם הייתם atem hayitem You (plural, male) were
אתן הייתן aten hayiten You (plural, female) were
הם היו hem hayu They (male) were
הן היו hen hayu They (female) were

In the future tense, "to be" is expressed as follows:

Hebrew Pronunciation English
אני אהיה ani ehye I will be
אתה תהיה ata tihye You (male) will be
את תהיה at tihyi You (female) will be
הוא יהיה hu yihye He will be
היא תהיה hi tihye She will be
אנחנו נהיה anachnu nahye We will be
אתם תהיו atem tihyu You (plural, male) will be
אתן תהיו aten tihyu You (plural, female) will be
הם יהיו hem yihyu They (male) will be
הן יהיו hen yihyu They (female) will be

Practical Exercises[edit | edit source]

To help solidify your understanding of Hebrew verbs, let's engage in some exercises!

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb "to eat" (לאכול) in the present tense.

1. אני _______ (לאכול) תפוח.

2. אתה _______ (לאכול) לחם.

3. היא _______ (לאכול) עוגה.

4. אנחנו _______ (לאכול) ארוחת ערב.

5. הם _______ (לאכול) סלט.

Answers:

1. אני אוכלת (ani okhelet) - I (female) eat

2. אתה אוכל (ata ochel) - You (male) eat

3. היא אוכלת (hi okhelet) - She eats

4. אנחנו אוכלים (anachnu okhlim) - We eat

5. הם אוכלים (hem okhlim) - They (male) eat

Exercise 2: Conjugate the Verb[edit | edit source]

Conjugate the verb "to read" (לקרוא) in the past tense for all subjects.

Answers:

| Hebrew | Pronunciation | English |

|------------------|-------------------|------------------|

| אני קראתי | ani karati | I (female) read |

| אני קראתי | ani karati | I (male) read |

| אתה קראת | ata karata | You (male) read |

| את קראת | at karat | You (female) read |

| הוא קרא | hu kara | He read |

| היא קראה | hi kara'a | She read |

| אנחנו קראנו | anachnu karanu | We read |

| אתם קראתם | atem karatem | You (plural, male) read |

| אתן קראתן | aten karaten | You (plural, female) read |

| הם קראו | hem karu | They (male) read |

| הן קראו | hen karu | They (female) read|

Exercise 3: Translate the Sentences[edit | edit source]

Translate the following sentences into Hebrew using the correct verb forms.

1. I will write a letter.

2. You (female) were happy.

3. They (female) will eat pizza.

Answers:

1. אני אכתוב מכתב (ani ekhtov mikhtav).

2. את היית שמחה (at hayit smecha).

3. הן יאכלו פיצה (hen yokhlu pitzah).

Exercise 4: Verb Matching[edit | edit source]

Match the Hebrew verbs with their English meanings.

1. לִכתוֹב

2. לִקרוֹא

3. לֶאֱכוֹל

4. לִשְׂחוֹת

| Hebrew | English |

|------------------|------------------|

| א. לִכתוֹב | 1. to swim |

| ב. לִקרוֹא | 2. to read |

| ג. לֶאֱכוֹל | 3. to write |

| ד. לִשְׂחוֹת | 4. to eat |

Answers:

  • א → 3
  • ב → 2
  • ג → 4
  • ד → 1

Exercise 5: Identify the Tense[edit | edit source]

Identify the tense of the following verbs and provide the subject.

1. היא כתבתי

2. אני אכתוב

3. הם אכלו

Answers:

1. Past tense, subject: היא (hi - she)

2. Future tense, subject: אני (ani - I)

3. Past tense, subject: הם (hem - they)

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Now that you have a solid understanding of Hebrew verbs, including their conjugation in present, past, and future tenses, as well as the use of auxiliary verbs, you're well on your way to forming more complex sentences in Hebrew. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't hesitate to revisit these concepts often.

Keep practicing, and soon you'll find that using Hebrew verbs becomes second nature. Happy learning!

Table of Contents - Hebrew Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Introduction to Hebrew Alphabet


Everyday Hebrew Vocabulary


Hebrew Grammar


Israeli Culture


Hebrew Expressions


Hebrew Numbers


Hebrew Geography and Landmarks


Hebrew Literature and Language


Grammar Review

Videos[edit | edit source]

Hebrew Grammar and Syntax Review for Exegesis - YouTube[edit | edit source]

Review Game for Lessons 89-90 - Biblical Hebrew - YouTube[edit | edit source]

Review Game for Lessons 85-86 - Biblical Hebrew - YouTube[edit | edit source]


Sources[edit | edit source]


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



◀️ Review of Adjectives — Previous Lesson

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