Learning a new language can be both challenging and rewarding. Hebrew, one of the oldest languages still spoken today, offers a rich cultural and historical context for learners. One of the foundational aspects of mastering Hebrew is understanding how personal pronouns function in the language. Personal pronouns are an essential element of communication, allowing us to refer to people and objects without constantly repeating their names. This article will delve into the various types of personal pronouns in Hebrew: subject pronouns, object pronouns, and possessive pronouns.
Subject Pronouns
Subject pronouns are used to indicate the subject of a sentence—the person or thing performing the action. In Hebrew, subject pronouns change based on the gender and number (singular or plural) of the subject. Here is a breakdown of Hebrew subject pronouns:
Singular:
– אני (ani) – I
– אתה (ata) – You (male)
– את (at) – You (female)
– הוא (hu) – He
– היא (hi) – She
Plural:
– אנחנו (anachnu) – We
– אתם (atem) – You (male or mixed group)
– אתן (aten) – You (female group)
– הם (hem) – They (male or mixed group)
– הן (hen) – They (female group)
Examples:
1. אני לומד עברית. (Ani lomed Ivrit.) – I am learning Hebrew.
2. אתה הולך לבית הספר. (Ata holech lebeit ha-sefer.) – You (male) are going to school.
3. את רואה את הסרט. (At ro’ah et ha-seret.) – You (female) are watching the movie.
4. הוא אוכל תפוח. (Hu ochel tapuach.) – He is eating an apple.
5. היא קוראת ספר. (Hi kore’et sefer.) – She is reading a book.
6. אנחנו משחקים כדורגל. (Anachnu mesachekim kaduregel.) – We are playing soccer.
7. אתם צריכים עזרה? (Atem tzrichim ezrah?) – Do you (male or mixed group) need help?
8. אתן שרות יפה. (Aten sharot yafe.) – You (female group) sing beautifully.
9. הם גרים בירושלים. (Hem garim bi-Yerushalayim.) – They (male or mixed group) live in Jerusalem.
10. הן לומדות באוניברסיטה. (Hen lomdot ba-universita.) – They (female group) study at the university.
Object Pronouns
Object pronouns are used to indicate the object of a verb—the person or thing receiving the action. In Hebrew, object pronouns are often attached to the verb or placed after prepositions. Here are the Hebrew object pronouns:
Singular:
– אותי (oti) – Me
– אותך (otcha) – You (male)
– אותך (otach) – You (female)
– אותו (oto) – Him
– אותה (ota) – Her
Plural:
– אותנו (otanu) – Us
– אתכם (etchem) – You (male or mixed group)
– אתכן (etchen) – You (female group)
– אותם (otam) – Them (male or mixed group)
– אותן (otan) – Them (female group)
Examples:
1. היא רואה אותי. (Hi ro’ah oti.) – She sees me.
2. אני שומע אותך. (Ani shome’a otcha.) – I hear you (male).
3. הוא מבין אותך. (Hu mevin otach.) – He understands you (female).
4. אני אוהבת אותו. (Ani ohevet oto.) – I love him.
5. אנחנו מכבדים אותה. (Anachnu mechabdim ota.) – We respect her.
6. הם מבקרים אותנו. (Hem mevakrim otanu.) – They (male or mixed group) are visiting us.
7. אנחנו מחכים לכם. (Anachnu mechakim lachem.) – We are waiting for you (male or mixed group).
8. היא דיברה איתכן. (Hi dibrah itchen.) – She spoke with you (female group).
9. ראיתי אותם. (Ra’iti otam.) – I saw them (male or mixed group).
10. הן מכירות אותן. (Hen makirot otan.) – They (female group) know them (female group).
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns in Hebrew indicate ownership or possession. They can appear in two forms: independent possessive pronouns and possessive suffixes attached directly to the noun. Independent possessive pronouns are less common and are used primarily for emphasis or clarity.
Independent Possessive Pronouns:
– שלי (sheli) – Mine
– שלך (shelcha) – Yours (male)
– שלך (shelach) – Yours (female)
– שלו (shelo) – His
– שלה (shela) – Hers
– שלנו (shelanu) – Ours
– שלכם (shelachem) – Yours (male or mixed group)
– שלכן (shelachen) – Yours (female group)
– שלהם (shelahem) – Theirs (male or mixed group)
– שלהן (shelahen) – Theirs (female group)
Examples:
1. הספר הזה שלי. (Ha-sefer ha-ze sheli.) – This book is mine.
2. הכיסא הזה שלך. (Ha-kise ha-ze shelcha.) – This chair is yours (male).
3. המכונית הזאת שלך. (Ha-mechonit ha-zot shelach.) – This car is yours (female).
4. הבית הזה שלו. (Ha-bayit ha-ze shelo.) – This house is his.
5. הכלב הזה שלה. (Ha-kelev ha-ze shela.) – This dog is hers.
6. הכדור הזה שלנו. (Ha-kadur ha-ze shelanu.) – This ball is ours.
7. הגן הזה שלכם. (Ha-gan ha-ze shelachem.) – This garden is yours (male or mixed group).
8. התיק הזה שלכן. (Ha-tik ha-ze shelachen.) – This bag is yours (female group).
9. המשחק הזה שלהם. (Ha-mis’chak ha-ze shelahem.) – This game is theirs (male or mixed group).
10. החתול הזה שלהן. (Ha-chatul ha-ze shelahen.) – This cat is theirs (female group).
Possessive Suffixes:
In Hebrew, possessive pronouns can also be added as suffixes to the noun they modify. The suffix changes depending on the gender and number of the possessor. Here are the possessive suffixes:
Singular Possessors:
– שלי (i) – My
– שלך (cha for male, ech for female) – Your
– שלו (o) – His
– שלה (a) – Her
Plural Possessors:
– שלנו (nu) – Our
– שלכם (chem for male or mixed group, chen for female group) – Your
– שלהם (hem for male or mixed group, hen for female group) – Their
Examples:
1. הספר שלי. (Ha-sefer sheli.) – My book.
2. הספר שלך. (Ha-sefer shelcha.) – Your (male) book.
3. הספר שלך. (Ha-sefer shelach.) – Your (female) book.
4. הספר שלו. (Ha-sefer shelo.) – His book.
5. הספר שלה. (Ha-sefer shela.) – Her book.
6. הספר שלנו. (Ha-sefer shelanu.) – Our book.
7. הספר שלכם. (Ha-sefer shelachem.) – Your (male or mixed group) book.
8. הספר שלכן. (Ha-sefer shelachen.) – Your (female group) book.
9. הספר שלהם. (Ha-sefer shelahem.) – Their (male or mixed group) book.
10. הספר שלהן. (Ha-sefer shelahen.) – Their (female group) book.
In summary, understanding and mastering personal pronouns in Hebrew is essential for effective communication. By learning the correct forms and usages of subject, object, and possessive pronouns, you’ll be well-equipped to express yourself clearly and accurately in Hebrew. Practice using these pronouns in various sentences, and you’ll find your Hebrew proficiency growing stronger every day. Happy learning!
