Hebrew Verb Conjugation: Binyanim and Tenses

The most common pattern. Used for simple, everyday actions. If a verb is "basic" (eating, writing, sitting) it's probably Pa'al.

Root: כ-ת-ב. כָּתַב (katav) — he wrote.

The passive version of Pa'al. Use it when the action happens to the subject, rather than being done by them. "The book was written" instead of "he wrote the book."

Root: כ-ת-ב. נִכְתַּב (nikhtav) — was written.

Makes verbs more intensive or gives a root a new, related meaning. The root ד-ב-ר means "word", and in Pi'el it becomes "to speak" (actively using words).

Root: ד-ב-ר. דִּבֵּר (diber) — he spoke.

The passive version of Pi'el. You'll mostly encounter this in formal writing. "It was discussed" rather than "he discussed."

Root: ד-ב-ר. דֻּבַּר (dubar) — was spoken about.

The "make someone do" pattern. It turns a root into a causative verb. The root ג-ד-ל means "big", and Hif'il turns it into "to make bigger / enlarge."

Root: ג-ד-ל. הִגְדִּיל (higdil) — he enlarged.

The passive version of Hif'il. Mostly seen in formal or literary Hebrew. "Was enlarged" rather than "enlarged."

Root: ג-ד-ל. הוּגְדַּל (hugdal) — was enlarged.

The "doing something to yourself" pattern. Getting dressed, washing yourself, introducing yourself. If the action is reflexive or reciprocal, it's Hitpa'el.

Root: ל-ב-ש. הִתְלַבֵּשׁ (hitlabesh) — he got dressed.

Binyanim (singular: binyan) are the seven verb patterns in Hebrew. Each pattern modifies a three-letter root to create verbs with related but distinct meanings (active, passive, causative, reflexive, etc.).

Hebrew has three tenses: past, present, and future. The present tense also functions as a participle. There are no continuous or perfect forms like in English.

Hebrew conjugation is actually more regular than most European languages. Once you learn the patterns for each binyan and tense, the same rules apply to almost every verb. StoryOlive's word-level analysis shows you every conjugation in context.