Binyanim: The 7 Verb Patterns

Lesson 28 · בניינים

Hebrew verbs are built from 3-letter roots (שורש, shoresh) inserted into 7 patterns called binyanim ("buildings"). The pattern determines meaning: active vs passive, simple vs intensive vs causative vs reflexive. Master the binyanim and Hebrew vocabulary becomes systematic.

Same root, different binyanim, different meanings, Root כ-ת-ב (k-t-v, "writing"): כָּתַב (katav, wrote, Pa'al) · הִכְתִּיב (hichtiv, dictated, Hif'il) · נִכְתַּב (nichtav, was written, Nif'al) · הִתְכַּתֵּב (hitkatev, corresponded, Hitpa'el).

The 7 Binyanim: Quick Reference

Binyanim: The 7 Verb Patterns

The 7 Binyanim: Quick Reference

Same Root in Different Binyanim: Example k-t-v (writing)

Same Root: l-m-d (learning / teaching)

Same Root: sh-l-ch (sending)

Recognizing Binyanim by Pattern

Example Sentences