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3,019 Hebrew words and phrases in 79 subjects. Page version 2026-11-09_1333.

Construct State

Grammar Notes

The construct state in Hebrew allows you to take two nouns and use them to create a new noun. In Hebrew, this state is called (smichut). The two nouns also have names, with the first (right) one being the (nismach) and the second (left) one being the (somech).

The gender of a construct state noun is determined by the nismach. For example, ("school") is masculine because is masculine.

Grammar and Spelling

If a feminine nismach ends in a , then it is replaced with a :

  • – cake
  • – cheesecake

When a construct state noun is definite - in other words, has "the" in front of it - the - is attached to the somech and not the nismach:

  • – lawyer
  • – the lawyer

For plural constructs, the nismach is pluralized and not the somech. If the ending is masculine, it only gets a - instead of a -:

  • – cup of coffee
  • – cups of coffee
  • – lawyer
  • – lawyers

Types of Constructs

There are two major uses for the construct state.

The first is to make a phrase that translates using "of". , for example, uses the nouns ("cup") and ("coffee") to make "cup of coffee".

The other is to make a compound noun that has a totally different meaning. , from earlier, is an example of this, as "school" is literally "house of book".

Houses

or "house" is one of the most common nismachs. However, it is irregular in its pronunciation and its plural is also irregular:

  • – house
  • – school
  • – schools
📖 Story: Another cake 8 sentences · 3 questions

Another cake

  1. Dani and Noa are sitting in a café.
  2. Dani wants a cup of coffee and a cheesecake.
  3. Noa drinks a glass of orange juice.
  4. Noa is a lawyer, and Dani works at a school.
  5. Dani eats the cheesecake quickly.
  6. "I want another cake,"
  7. he says.
  8. Noa says: "Dani, you're like a little kid!"

Questions

What does Noa drink?

Where does Dani work?

Why does Noa say Dani is like a little kid?

Practice

The rule

Two nouns side by side – "X of Y" (). Only the second noun takes ה־. The first noun may change: −ה becomes −ת, −ים becomes −י.

+ school
+ cheesecake (ה → ת)
the schoolה on the second word
schools → י

Each sentence shows the rule. Listen, say it after the voice, then tap the grey bar for the meaning and a note on the rule. The pattern quiz blanks out the key form.

Sentences

  • – I want a cup of coffee · two nouns side by side – a cup of coffee
  • – A tasty cheesecake · עוגה → עוגת
  • – My son is at school · the school → בית הספר
  • – There are two schools here · בתים → בתי
  • – The lawyer is coming today · the lawyer → עורך הדין
  • – We drank two cups of coffee · plural: כוסות קפה
  • – Breakfast · ארוחה → ארוחת
  • – Lawyers · עורכים → עורכי

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