HEBREW SUFFIXES
Learn about Hebrew suffixes in this comprehensive guide. Master the use of possessive, pronominal, verbal, and nominal suffixes with examples and practice drills. Strengthen your understanding of Hebrew grammar and syntax to improve your proficiency in the language.

Hebrew Suffixes:
Hebrew Grammar Series (Part 10):

Introduction

Hebrew suffixes are an integral aspect of the language and are utilized extensively in both written and spoken Hebrew. They are word endings that are added to the end of a word to modify its meaning or function. Suffixes in Hebrew are an essential element of the language, and there are four common types: possessive suffixes, pronominal suffixes, verbal suffixes, and nominal suffixes.

Possessive Hebrew Suffixes

Possessive suffixes indicate possession and show who the possessor is.

For example, the word for “book” in Hebrew is “ספר” (sefer), and to indicate that the book belongs to you, you add the suffix “י” (yod) to the end of the word, resulting in “ספר שלי” (sefer sheli) meaning “my book.”

Similarly, if you want to indicate that the book belongs to someone else, you would use a different suffix depending on who the owner is.

For instance, if you want to say that the book belongs to Avi, you would say “ספר של אבי” (sefer shel Avi), which means “Avi’s book.”

Related video: Hebrew Possessive Pronouns

Pronomial Hebrew Suffixes

Pronominal suffixes, on the other hand, indicate the subject or object of a sentence. They are added to the end of a verb and show who is performing the action or who the action is being performed on.

For example, the Hebrew word for “to see” is “לראות” (lirot), and to indicate that you see something, you add the suffix “י” (yod) to the end of the word, resulting in “אני רואה” (ani ro’eh) meaning “I see.”

Similarly, if you want to indicate that you see someone else, you would use a different suffix depending on who the person is.

For example, if you want to say that you see Avi, you would say “אני רואה את אבי” (ani ro’eh et Avi), which means “I see Avi.”

Related video: Pronomial Suffixes

Verbal Hebrew Suffixes

Verbal suffixes modify the tense, mood, or voice of a verb. They are added to the end of a verb and indicate the time frame in which the action is taking place, whether the action is real or hypothetical, and who is performing the action.

For instance, the Hebrew word for “to eat” is “לאכול” (le’echol), and to indicate that you ate something in the past, you add the suffix “תי” (ti) to the end of the word, resulting in “אכלתי” (achalti) meaning “I ate.”

Similarly, if you want to indicate that you will eat something in the future, you would use a different suffix.

For example, to say “I will eat,” you would say “אני אוכל” (ani ochel).

Nominal Hebrew Suffixes

Nominal suffixes modify the meaning of a noun. They are added to the end of a noun and indicate the noun’s gender, number, or case. For example, the Hebrew word for “woman” is “אישה” (ishah), and to indicate that there are multiple women, you would add the suffix “ות” (ot) to the end of the word, resulting in “נשים” (nashim) meaning “women.”

Related video(s): Nominal Sentences (Part 1) | Nominal Sentences (Part 2)

Examples and Practice Drills

To practice using Hebrew suffixes, it is essential to familiarize oneself with the different types of suffixes and their meanings.

Additionally, it is crucial to understand which suffixes are appropriate to use in different situations. Here are some examples and drills to help you practice… 

Hebrew Suffixes (Examples):

Possessive Suffixes:
My house (“ha-bayit sheli”) – הבית שלי
Your cat (“ha-chatul shelcha”) – החתול שלך
His dog (“ha-kelev shelo”) – הכלב שלו

Pronominal Suffixes:
I am speaking with you (“ani medaber itcha”) – אני מדבר איתך
She knows him (“hi mekire oto”) – היא מכירה אותו
They will teach us (“hem yilmedu otanu”) – הם ילמדו אותנו

Verbal Suffixes:
He is reading a book (“hu kore sefer”) – הוא קורא ספר
I wrote a letter (“ani katavti michtav”) – אני כתבתי מכתב
They will speak with the manager (“hem yedabru im ha-menahel”) – הם ידברו עם המנהל

Nominal Suffixes:
Excellent friend (“chavera me’ula”) – חברה מעולה
Important date (“ta’arich chashuv”) – תאריך חשוב
Old garment (“beged yashan”) – בגד ישן

Hebrew Suffixes (Practice Drills):

Possessive Suffixes:
Translate “her book” into Hebrew.
How do you say “our house” in Hebrew?
What is the Hebrew word for “their car”?

Pronominal Suffixes:
Translate “I see you” into Hebrew.
What is the Hebrew word for “he knows me”?
How do you say “they will teach her” in Hebrew?

Verbal Suffixes:
Translate “we will eat” into Hebrew.
What is the Hebrew word for “he is watching TV”?
How do you say “they read books” in Hebrew?

Nominal Suffixes:
What is the Hebrew word for “big house”?
Translate “young man” into Hebrew.
What is the Hebrew word for “expensive car”?

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hebrew suffixes are a crucial aspect of the language and are used extensively in both written and spoken Hebrew. By mastering the use of Hebrew suffixes, you can become a more confident and proficient speaker of Hebrew and deepen your understanding of Hebrew grammar and syntax. To become proficient in using Hebrew suffixes, it is essential to practice using them in context and to develop an understanding of which suffixes to use in different situations. With consistent practice and dedication, anyone can learn to use Hebrew suffixes effectively and enjoy the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of the Hebrew language and literature.

HEBREW LANGUAGE LEARNING APPS:

Google Translate:
Android: Click HERE…
Apple OS: Click HERE…

English-Hebrew Language Translator:
“Love it. The most accurate app I’ve used…”
Click HERE…

Write It! Hebrew:
Apple Store: Click HERE…
Google Play: Click HERE…

Hebrew Alphabet Writing Practice:
Learn to write the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in Block and Script.
YouTube Playlist: Click HERE…

DROPS is a Kahoot! company.
That alone gives you a pretty good idea of how fun and interactive the lessons are.
Click HERE…