Binyanim

בִּנְייָן means “building” in Hebrew. In Hebrew, we divide our verbs into categories — each category is called a בִּנְייָן (binyan), literally a “building.” Tap any building below to explore it.

Part of the Grammar Trail — open any time from the books path.

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פָּעַלPa'al
11 verbs
פִּיעֵלPi'el
10 verbs
הִפְעִילHif'il
10 verbs
הִתְפַּעֵלHitpa'el
9 verbs

Same roots, seen across each binyan

Pa'alPi'elHif'ilHitpa'el
ג.ד.ל
לגדול
ligdol
to grow (up)
לגדל
legadel
to raise / grow (something)
להגדיל
lehagdil
to enlarge / increase
—
ל.ב.ש
ללבוש
lilbosh
to wear
—
להלביש
lehalbish
to dress (someone else)
להתלבש
lehitlabesh
to get dressed
פ.ת.ח
לפתוח
liftoakh
to open
לפתח
lefate'akh
to develop
—
להתפתח
lehitpate'akh
to develop / evolve
Can you find the root?Every verb in these buildings hides a three-letter shoresh. Peel the letters away →