Hebrew 101: Lesson 8

Verb Paradigms (בניינים)

Hebrew verbs are organized into seven major paradigms called Binyanim (בניינים - buildings).

The Seven Binyanim

פָּעַל

Paal (Qal) - Simple active

נִפְעַל

Niphal - Simple passive/reflexive

פִּעֵל

Piel - Intensive active

פֻּעַל

Pual - Intensive passive

הִפְעִיל

Hiphil - Causative active

הֻפְעַל

Huphal - Causative passive

הִתְפַּעֵל

Hitpael - Reflexive

Note: Each binyan has its own patterns for conjugation and often carries specific meaning nuances.