What Are Adjectives in Hebrew?
Adjectives in Hebrew, known as “תארים” (te’arim), function similarly to those in English: they describe or modify nouns. However, their agreement and placement within the sentence follow distinct patterns that every Hebrew learner should know.
Gender and Number Agreement
In Hebrew, adjectives must agree with the noun they modify in both gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). This agreement is one of the most important aspects to master.
Masculine and Feminine Forms
Most Hebrew nouns and adjectives have different forms for masculine and feminine. For example:
- Masculine: ספר טוב (sefer tov) – a good book
- Feminine: ילדה טובה (yalda tova) – a good girl
Notice that the adjective טוב (tov) becomes טובה (tova) to match the feminine noun.
Singular and Plural Forms
Adjectives also change according to whether the noun is singular or plural:
- Masculine Plural: ספרים טובים (sfarim tovim) – good books
- Feminine Plural: ילדות טובות (yaladot tovot) – good girls
The adjective endings -ים (im) and -ות (ot) correspond to masculine plural and feminine plural, respectively.
Placement of Adjectives in Hebrew Sentences
Unlike English, where adjectives typically precede the noun, in Hebrew adjectives usually follow the noun they describe. For example:
- English: a big house
- Hebrew: בית גדול (bayit gadol) – literally, “house big”
Definiteness and the Use of “The”
Hebrew handles definiteness (the equivalent of “the” in English) differently when it comes to adjectives. If a noun is definite, the adjective must also be definite. This is done by adding the prefix ה- (ha-) to both the noun and the adjective:
- הבית הגדול (ha-bayit ha-gadol) – the big house
- הילדה הטובה (ha-yalda ha-tova) – the good girl
Both the noun and adjective receive the definite article, which is a key rule for constructing grammatically correct sentences.
Multiple Adjectives in Hebrew
When using more than one adjective to describe a noun, all adjectives follow the noun and maintain agreement in gender and number:
- מכונית אדומה חדשה (mekhonit aduma hadasha) – a new red car
Here, both adjectives are in the feminine singular form to match the noun מכונית (mekhonit).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
For Hebrew learners, a few pitfalls frequently occur:
- Forgetting to match the adjective’s gender and number to the noun
- Using the definite article on only the noun or only the adjective, instead of both
- Placing adjectives before the noun, as in English
Practice with real-life examples and interactive exercises, such as those found on Talkpal, can help solidify these rules.
Tips for Practicing Hebrew Adjectives
- Read Hebrew texts and highlight noun-adjective pairs to observe patterns
- Write sentences using new vocabulary, paying attention to agreement and placement
- Use language learning apps like Talkpal to get instant feedback on your adjective usage
- Practice speaking with native speakers or tutors to gain confidence
Conclusion
Adjectives play a crucial role in expressing details and adding color to your Hebrew sentences. By understanding and practicing gender and number agreement, correct placement, and the use of definiteness, you will enhance both your comprehension and communication skills. Remember, consistent practice and utilizing tools like Talkpal can make mastering Hebrew adjectives a more engaging and effective process. Happy learning!
