{"id":1967,"date":"2017-06-26T06:00:35","date_gmt":"2017-06-26T10:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/?p=1967"},"modified":"2018-03-27T07:36:01","modified_gmt":"2018-03-27T11:36:01","slug":"the-definite-article-prefix-hey-hayedia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/the-definite-article-prefix-hey-hayedia\/","title":{"rendered":"The Definite Article Prefix Hey Hayedia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Reading by Sam Greenhalgh on Flickr.com<\/p><\/div>\n

In Hebrew, nouns are made definite by adding the prefix \u05d4. This prefix is called \u05d4’ \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05bc\u05d3\u05c5\u05d9\u05e2\u05b8\u05d4 (hey hayedia) and functions like the definite article \u201bthe\u2019 in English. The word \u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05df (newspaper), for example, indicates any newspaper; while the word \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05c5\u05d9\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05df (the newspaper) refers to a specific newspaper. Here are some rules for the use of \u05d4’ \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05bc\u05d3\u05c5\u05d9\u05e2\u05b8\u05d4:<\/p>\n

1) An indefinite noun becomes definite after it has been mentioned. For example, if someone tells his friend: \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05e7\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05ea\u05c5\u05d9 \u05e1\u05b5\u05e4\u05b6\u05e8 (I read a book yesterday), the word \u201bbook\u2019 does not refer to a specific book, hence does not take the definite article. But if this someone continues his story and the word \u201bbook\u2019 is referred to again \u2013 for example in a sentence like: \u05d4\u05b7\u05e1\u05b5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05d9\u05b5\u05d9\u05df (the book was interesting) \u2013 it is now specific and must take the definite article.<\/p>\n

So it will be in this short conversation:<\/p>\n

\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05e4\u05b9\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05c5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc? (Where have you been yesterday?)<\/p>\n

\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05c5\u05d9\u05ea\u05c5\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b0\u05e1\u05c5\u05d9\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 (I was at a party)<\/p>\n

\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05e4\u05b9\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b0\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05e1\u05c5\u05d9\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4? (Where was the party?)<\/p>\n

\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05e1\u05c5\u05d9\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b0\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05ea\u05b5\u05dc \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05c5\u05d9\u05d1 (The party was in Tel-Aviv)<\/p>\n

The first time the word \u201bparty\u2019 appears it\u2019s indefinite. The next two appearances it\u2019s definite.<\/p>\n

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2) Nouns become definite even without being mentioned earlier in the conversation. The noun is definite when it refers to a specific person\/object\/place, known to those participating in the conversation. For example, if two Israelis discuss the economic situation, and then one of them says: \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05c5\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d4\u05c5\u05db\u05b0\u05e8\u05c5\u05d9\u05d6 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05e9\u05c5\u05c1\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc\u05d9\u05c5\u05d9\u05dd \u05e6\u05b0\u05e4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d9\u05c5\u05d9\u05dd (the president declares upcoming changes); the word \u201bpresident\u2019 is definite because they both know the speaker refers to the president of Israel.<\/p>\n

Another example, if a couple of tourists discuss the sites and bites of Jerusalem, and then one of them says: \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e7 \u05e0\u05b6\u05d4\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8 (the market is wonderful); the word \u201bmarket\u2019 is definite because it well understood that the market he mentioned is the market of Jerusalem.<\/p>\n

If a book starts with the sentence: \u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e7\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u05d3 \u05e0\u05c5\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b0\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc \u05d3\u05b0\u05bc\u05e4\u05c5\u05d9\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d7\u05b2\u05d6\u05b8\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea (strong knocks were heard at morning). In the following sentence: \u05d0\u05c5\u05d9\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05d0 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05dc\u05b6\u05ea (mom opened the door), the word \u201bdoor\u2019 is definite, because it is clearly refers to the specific door of the kid and his mom\u2019 apartment.<\/p>\n

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3) An indefinite noun is transformed to definite and specific when joined by the possessive particle \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05dc (of). When \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05dc is in its basic form, most of the nouns preceding it and following it should be in the definite form. For example, in the sentence \u05d3\u05b8\u05bc\u05d5\u05b4\u05d3 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b6\u05d4 (David is a teacher), the word \u201bteacher\u2019 is indefinite. But in the sentence \u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05d5\u05c5\u05d3 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b6\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05dc \u05d8\u05b7\u05dc (David is Tal\u2019s teacher), the word \u201bteacher\u2019 is definite.<\/p>\n

Compare, for example, the sentence: \u05d9\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05d9\u05c5\u05dd \u05d4\u05c5\u05d9\u05d0 \u05e2\u05c5\u05d9\u05e8 \u05d1\u05c5\u05bc\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 (Jerusalem is a capital city); to the sentence: \u05d9\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05d9\u05c5\u05dd \u05d4\u05c5\u05d9\u05d0 \u05e2\u05c5\u05d9\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05c5\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05dc \u05d9\u05c5\u05e9\u05b0\u05c2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc (Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel).<\/p>\n

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4) In a sentence where a definite noun is modified by an adjective or adjective clause, the adjective or adjective clause must also be made definite. For example: \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05c5\u05d9\u05d3 \u05d4\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d4\u05c5\u05d2\u05c5\u05bc\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05dc\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05c5\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4 (the new pupil arrived to class). One cannot say: \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05c5\u05d9\u05d3 \u05d7\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d4\u05c5\u05d2\u05c5\u05bc\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05dc\u05b7\u05db\u05c5\u05bc\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4.<\/p>\n

Or if someone, for example, asks where is Shahsr\u2019s hat, his friend can answer: \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05e4\u05b6\u05d4 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05dc \u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05e8 \u05e0\u05c5\u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05c5\u05e1\u05b5\u05d0 (Shahar\u2019s beautiful hat is on the chair). The word \u201bhat\u2019 is definite because of the possessive particle. The word \u201bbeautiful\u2019 is definite because the adjective must be definite as well if the noun is definite.<\/p>\n

* But \u2013 in a nominal clause (that does not have a verb), the adjectives will never be preceded by hey hayedia even though the noun is definite. Because in a nominal clause the adjective serves as the predicate of the clause: \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05c5\u05d9\u05d3 \u05d7\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1.<\/p>\n

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5) Proper nouns \u2013 like: Daniel, Tal, Tel-Aviv, Israel \u2013 will never take the definite article since they already definite by their very nature. The same is true for pronouns \u2013 like: \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0, \u05d4\u05c5\u05d9\u05d0, \u05d4\u05b5\u05dd, (he, she, they) etc.<\/p>\n

* Some proper nouns used to indicate place names are exceptions and do take the definite article: \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05e0\u05b6\u05bc\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea, \u05d4\u05b7\u05d2\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05df, \u05d4<\/em>\u05b7<\/em>\u05e0<\/em>\u05bc\u05b6<\/em>\u05d2<\/em>\u05b6<\/em>\u05d1, \u05d4<\/em>\u05b7<\/em>\u05d7<\/em>\u05b6<\/em>\u05e8<\/em>\u05b0<\/em>\u05de\u05d5<\/em>\u05b9<\/em>\u05df, \u05e0<\/em>\u05b0<\/em>\u05d4<\/em>\u05b7<\/em>\u05e8 \u05d4<\/em>\u05b7<\/em>\u05d9<\/em>\u05bc\u05b8<\/em>\u05e8<\/em>\u05b0<\/em>\u05d3<\/em>\u05bc\u05b5<\/em>\u05df<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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6) When a construct state is made definite, the definite article prefix hey hayedia is used with the absolute noun only. For example: \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05e1 (the bus stop), \u05e9\u05c1\u05c5\u05d9\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05c5\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05c5\u05d9\u05ea (the Hebrew classes). And not: \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b7\u05ea \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05e1, \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05c5\u05bc\u05d9\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05e2\u05c5\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05c5\u05d9\u05ea.<\/p>\n

A lawyer’s son, for example, can tell: \u05d0\u05c5\u05d9\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b8\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4\u05c5\u05d9\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b2\u05e1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e7\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d9\u05b5\u05e9\u05c1 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05e8\u05b5\u05d0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05e2\u05c5\u05dd \u05e9\u05c2\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05d9\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea (Mom said she is busy, she has an interview with the minister of tourism). The \u201bminister of tourism\u2019 is definite because is a well known figure to the speaker and listener. But since it\u2019s a construct state, the absolute noun is the only one to be receive the prefix hey hayedia: \u05e9\u05c2\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05d9\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea, and not \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05c2\u05b7\u05bc\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05d9\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea, or \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05c2\u05b7\u05bc\u05e8 \u05ea\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05d9\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea.<\/p>\n

In contrast to the construct state, when a combination of a noun and its modifying adjective is made definite, the hey haydia definite article prefix will precede both the noun and the adjective. For example: \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05d6\u05c5\u05d9\u05ea (the central station).<\/p>\n

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A little prefix that makes a big difference. It\u2019s a little bit confusing, but don\u2019t worry! Try to practice it every day: one rule of hey hayedia a day. And read a lot, especially children books, in which the sentences are short, clear, and grammatically correct. \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d7\u05b8\u05d4 (Good luck)!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Keep Calm and Learn Hebrew<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

In Hebrew, nouns are made definite by adding the prefix \u05d4. This prefix is called \u05d4’ \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05bc\u05d3\u05c5\u05d9\u05e2\u05b8\u05d4 (hey hayedia) and functions like the definite article \u201bthe\u2019 in English. The word \u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05df (newspaper), for example, indicates any newspaper; while the word \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05c5\u05d9\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05df (the newspaper) refers to a specific newspaper. Here are some rules for the use…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":1968,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1967","post","type-post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-grammar"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1967","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1967"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1967\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2236,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1967\/revisions\/2236"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1968"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1967"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1967"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1967"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}