Hebrew pronouns, just like those in English, are one of the seven parts of speech in Hebrew. It goes without saying that knowing the Hebrew pronouns is essential in being able to speak the language with comfort and ease. Even if you’re unsure of what a pronoun is, you can be sure that you use pronouns all the time.
Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns. Often, though not always, they’re used in order to avoid the awkward repetition of proper nouns. So, every time you say “I,” you’re using a pronoun. And when you ask, “What is that?” you’ve just used two pronouns! So you can see that pronouns are a very basic and common language element, and one it’s wise to master.
Hebrew pronouns fall into four basic categories: personal pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, interrogative pronouns, and indefinite pronouns. Don’t get scared off by these fancy names, though! It’s really quite simple.
Personal and demonstrative pronouns represent a specific person or thing, and indefinite pronouns are used for non-specific nouns. All of these pronouns have gender and are countable. Interrogative pronouns, on the other hand, are simply pronouns used in asking questions. These include “who,” “what,” “when,” and “where.”
In this lesson, we’re going to break things down and look at a nice Hebrew pronouns list so you have all the knowledge you’ll need to speak and understand Hebrew pronouns in context. Here we go!
Table of Contents
- Hebrew Personal Pronouns
- Hebrew Demonstrative Pronouns
- Hebrew Interrogative Pronouns
- Hebrew Indefinite Pronouns
- Conclusion: Master Hebrew the Fun Way with HebrewPod101.com!
1. Hebrew Personal Pronouns
Let’s begin with the most common Hebrew pronouns first: the personal pronouns. As you may have guessed from their name, these pronouns describe people (although in some cases, we also use them for animals as well). Remember that Hebrew uses different grammar for masculine and feminine, and this is true for pronouns as well.
So as you’re learning these, make sure to pay attention to the fact that a feminine pronoun will be used to substitute, not surprisingly, a female; it will also go along with feminine verbs and adjectives. The same, of course, is true in terms of masculine pronouns for males, along with masculine verbs and adjectives.
Also note that we want to be careful to ensure we have number agreement. This means that if our pronoun is plural, our verbs and adjectives must be as well.
The following section will also include the Hebrew possessive pronouns, the reflexive forms, and the subject/object forms. Now, let’s take a closer look at personal pronouns in Hebrew.
1- Hebrew Singular Pronouns
1st Person Singular
1. Subject
- אני
Ani
“I”
Note that this pronoun is the same for male and female speakers. However, the verbs and adjectives we use with it must conform to the correct gender. Here are some examples:
אני נוסע היום לירושלים.
Ani nose’a hayom le-Yerushalayim.
“I am going to Jerusalem today.” [male speaker]
אני נוסעת היום לירושלים.
Ani nosa’at hayom le-Yerushalayim.
“I am going to Jerusalem today.” [female speaker]
2. Object
- אותי
Oti
“Me”
אתה שומע אותי?
Ata shome’a oti?
“Do you hear me?”
3. Possessive
- שלי
Sheli
“My” / “Mine”
זה הכלב שלי, ליל.
Zeh ha-kelev sheli, Layil.
“This is my dog, Layil.”
הכלב הזה שלי.
Ha-kelev hazeh sheli.”
“This dog is mine.”
4. Reflexive
- עצמי
Atzmi
“Myself”
אני סגור על עצמי שאני צודק.
Ani sagur al atzmi she-ani tzodek.
“I am sure of myself that I am right.”
2nd Person Singular – Male
1. Subject
- אתה
Ata
“You”
אתה חכם.
Ata chakham.
“You are smart.”
2. Object
- אוֹתְךָ
Otkha
“You”
אני מכיר אותך.
Ani makir otkha.
“I know you.”
3. Possessive
- שֶׁלְךָ
Shelkha
“Your(s)”
הנה הקפה שלך.
Hine ha-kafeh shelkha.
“Here is your coffee.”
הקפה הזה שלך.
Ha-kafeh hazeh shelkha.
“This coffee is yours.”
4. Reflexive
- עַצְמְךָ
Atzmekha
“Yourself”
איפה אתה רואה את עצמך בעוד 10 שנים?
Eifoh atah ro’eh et atzmekha be’od eser shanim?
“Where do you see yourself in ten years?”
2nd Person Singular – Female
1. Subject
- את
At
“You”
את חכמה.
At chakhama.
“You are smart.”
2. Object
- אוֹתָךְ
Otakh
“You”
אני מכיר אותך.
Ani makir otakh.
“I know you.”
3. Possessive
- שֶׁלָּךְ
Shelakh
“Your(s)”
הנה הקפה שלך.
Hine ha-kafeh shelakh.
“Here is your coffee.”
הקפה הזה שלך.
Hakafeh hazeh shelakh.
“Yourself”
4. Reflexive
- עַצְמֵךְ
Atzmekh
“Yourself”
איפה את רואה את עצמך בעוד 10 שנים?
Eifoh at roah et atzmekh be’od eser shanim?
“Where do you see yourself in ten years?”
3rd Person Singular – Male
1. Subject
- הוא
Hu
“He”
הוא אח שלי, יונתן.
Hu ach sheli, Yonatan.
“He is my brother, Jonathan.”
2. Object
- אותו
Oto
“Him”
אתה רואה אותו שם?
Ata roeh oto sham?
“Do you see him there?”
3. Possessive
- שלו
Shelo
“His” / “Its”
זה העיתון שלו.
Zeh ha-iton shelo.
“This is his newspaper.”
העיתון הזה שלו. השם שלו הארץ.
Ha-iton hazeh shelo. Ha’shem shelo Haaretz.
“This newspaper is his. Its name is Haaretz.”
4. Reflexive
- עצמו
Atzmo
“Himself”
מה הוא חושב על עצמו?
Mah hu choshev al atzmo?
“What does he think of himself?”
3rd Person Singular – Female
1. Subject
- היא
Hi
“She”
היא אחות שלי, מירב.
Hi achot sheli, Meirav.
“She is my sister, Merav.”
2. Object
- אותה
Ota
“Her”
אתה רואה אותה שם?
Atah roeh ota sham?
“Do you see her there?”
3. Possessive
- שלה
Shelah
“Her” / “Hers”
זה העיתון שלה.
Zeh ha-iton shelah.
“This is his newspaper.”
העיתון הזה שלה.
Ha-iton hazeh shelah.
“This newspaper is his.”
4. Reflexive
- עצמה
Atzmah
“Herself”
מה היא חושבת על עצמה?
Mah hi choshevet al atzmah?
“What does she think of herself?”
2- Hebrew Plural Pronouns
1st Person Plural
1. Subject
- אנחנו
Anachnu
“We”
Note that this pronoun is the same for male and female speakers. However, the verbs and adjectives we use with it must conform to the correct gender. Here are some examples:
אנחנו משחקים כדורגל היום בצהריים.
Anachnu mesachakim kaduregel hayom ba-tzohorayim.
“We are playing soccer today in the afternoon.” (male or mixed gender speakers)
אנחנו משחקות כדורגל היום בצהריים.
Anachnu mesachakot kaduregel hayom ba-tzohorayim.
“We are going to play soccer today in the afternoon.” (female speakers)
2. Object
- אותנו
Otanu
“Us”
תוכל לקחת אותנו לתחנת הרכבת?
Tukhal lakachat otanu le-tachanat ha-rakevet?
“Can you take us to the train station?”
3. Possessive
- שלנו
Shelanu
“Our” / “Ours”
הגיע האוטובוס שלנו.
Higia ha-otobus shelanu.
“Our bus has arrived.”
זה האוטובוס שלנו.
Ze ha-otobus shelanu.
“This bus is ours.”
4. Reflexive
- עצמנו
Atzmenu
“Ourselves”
נצטרך לעזור לעצמנו!
Nitztarekh la’azor le-atzmenu!
“We will have to help ourselves.”
Note that עצמנו (atzmenu), meaning “ourselves,” is interchangeably used to refer to male, female, or mixed gender groups of people and things in the plural form.
2nd Person Plural – Male
1. Subject
- אתם
Atem
“You”
אתם הבנים של רפה, נכון?
Atem ha-banim shel Rafa, nakhon?
“You’re Rafa’s sons, right?”
2. Object
- אתכם
Etkhem
“You” (object)
ראיתי אתכם בפארק אתמול.
Ra’iti etkhem ba-park etmol.
“I saw you in the park yesterday.”
3. Possessive
- שלכם
Shelakhem
“Your” / “Yours”
ההורים שלכם גרים בניו יורק?
Ha-horim shelakhem garim be-Nyu York?
“Do your parents live in New York?”
הכסף הזה שלכם?
Ha-kesef hazeh shelakhem?
“Is this money yours?”
4. Reflexive
- עצמכם
Atzmekhem
“Yourselves”
הסתכלו על עצמכם.
Histaklu al atzmekhem.
“Look at yourselves.”
2nd Person Plural – Female
1. Subject
- אתן
Aten
“You”
אתן הבנות של רפה, נכון?
Aten ha-banot shel Rafa, nakhon?
“You’re Rafa’s daughters, right?”
2. Object
- אתכן
Etkhen
“You” (object)
ראיתי אתכן בפארק אתמול.
Ra’iti etkhen ba-park etmol.
“I saw you in the park yesterday.”
3. Possessive
- שלכן
Shelakhen
“Your” / “Yours”
ההורים שלכן גרים בניו יורק?
Ha-horim shelakhen garim be-Nyu York?
“Do your parents live in New York?”
הכסף הזה שלכן?
Hakesef hazeh shelakhen?
“Is this money yours?”
4. Reflexive
- עצמכן
Atzmekhen
“Yourselves”
הסתכלו על עצמכן.
Histaklu al atzmekhen.
“Look at yourselves.”
3rd Person Plural – Male
1. Subject
- הם
Hem
“They”
הם גרים לא רחוק מכאן.
Hem garim lo rachok mi-kan.
“They live not far from here.”
2. Object
- אותם.
Otam
“Them”
אני לא מכיר אותם.
Ani lo makir otam.
“I don’t know them.”
- אלה
Eleh
“These (ones)” / “Those (ones)”
אלה הדברים שלי או שלך?
Eleh ha-dvarim sheli o shelkha?
“Are these my things or yours?”
We can also use this variation:
- אלו
Elu
“These (ones)” / “Those (ones)”
אלו הדברים שלי או שלך?
Elu ha-dvarim sheli o shelkha?
“Are these my things or yours?”
Note that אלה (eleh), meaning “these” / “those” and אלו (elu), meaning “these” / “those,” are used as both subject and object. Also note that both are interchangeably used to refer to male, female, or mixed gender people and things in plural.
3. Possessive
- שלהם
Shelahem
“Their” / “Theirs”
איפה הבית שלהם?
Eifoh ha-bayit shelahem?
“Where is their house?”
הבית הזה שלהם.
Ha-bayit hazeh shelahem.
“This house is theirs.”
4. Reflexive
- עצמם
Atzmam
“Themselves”
הם לא מרגישים כמו עצמם היום.
Hem lo margishim kemo atzmam hayom.
“They don’t feel themselves today.”
3rd Person Plural – Female
1. Subject
- הן
Hen
“They”
הן גרות לא רחוק מכאן.
Hen garot lo rachok mi-kan
“They live not far from here.”
2. Object
- אותן
Otan
“Them”
אני לא מכיר אותן.
Ani lo makir otan.
“I don’t know them.”
3. Possessive
- שלהן
Shelahen
“Their” / “Theirs”
איפה הבית שלהן?
Eifoh ha-bayit shelahen?
“Where is their house?”
הבית הזה שלהן.
Ha-bayit hazeh shelahen.
“This house is theirs.”
4. Reflexive
- עצמן
Atzman
“Themselves”
הן לא מרגישות כמו עצמן היום.
Hen lo margishot kemo atzman hayom.
“They don’t feel themselves today.”
2. Hebrew Demonstrative Pronouns
Another type of pronoun is the Hebrew demonstrative pronouns. These are used to make reference to nouns or to distinguish specific people, places, or things from others. Whenever we talk about “this” and “that,” we’re using demonstrative pronouns. So let’s see some Hebrew demonstrative pronouns, along with examples.
1- Singular – Male
- זה
Zeh
“It” / “This (one)”
אני לא אוהב את הספר ההוא. אני אוהב את הספר הזה.
Ani lo ohev et ha-sefer hahu. Ani ohev et ha-sefer hazeh.
“I don’t like that book. I like this one.”
זה חבר שלי, רון.
Zeh chaver sheli, Ron.
“This is my boyfriend, Ron.”
Note that זה (zeh), meaning “it,” is used as both subject and object.
2- Singular – Female
- זאת
Zot
“It” / “This (one)”
אני לא אוהב את המסעדה ההיא. אני אוהב את זאת.
Ani lo ohev et ha-mis’adah hahi. Ani ohev et zot.
“I don’t like that restaurant. I like this one.”
זאת חברה שלי, רוני.
Zot chaverah sheli, Roni.
“This is my girlfriend, Roni.”
We can also use this variation:
- זו
Zu
“It” / “This (one)”
זו חברה שלי, רוני.
Zu chaverah sheli, Roni.
“This is my girlfriend, Roni.”
Note that זאת (zot), meaning “it” and זו (zu), meaning “it,” are used as both subject and object.
3- Plural
- אלה
Eleh
“These (ones)” / “Those (ones)”
אלה הדברים שלי או שלך?
Eleh ha-dvarim sheli o shelkha?
“Are these my things or yours?”
We can also use this variation:
- אלו
Elu
“These (ones)” / “Those (ones)”
אלו הדברים שלי או שלך?
Elu ha-dvarim sheli o shelkha?
“Are these my things or yours?”
Note that אלה (eleh), meaning “these” / “those” and אלו (elu), meaning “these” / “those,” are used as both subject and object. Also note that both are interchangeably used to refer to male, female, or mixed gender groups of people and things in plural.
3. Hebrew Interrogative Pronouns
As mentioned earlier, one of the two basic categories of pronouns are interrogative pronouns. To refresh your memory, these are the ones we use in questions, and they’re words that become the grammatical subject of the question.
For example, when we ask “Where are you?” the word “where” is the subject of the sentence, substituting the name of a place, which we don’t know—hence the question!
Let’s see what these are and how they look in the next section of our Hebrew pronouns list.
- מה
Mah
“What”
מה אתה עושה בסוף השבוע?
Mah atah oseh besof hashavua?
“What are you doing this weekend?”
- איזה
Eyzeh
“Which” (male)
באיזה שולחן בא לך (לשבת)?
Eyzeh shulchan ba lekha (lashevet)?
“Which table do you feel like [sitting at]?”
- איזו
Eyzo
“Which” (female)
איזו רכבת מגיעה לעכו?
Eyzo rakevet megia le-Ako?
“Which train goes to Akko?”
- מי
Mi
“Who” / “Whom”
מי אמר גלידה ולא קיבל?
Mi amar glidah ve-lo kibel?
“Who said ‘ice cream’ and didn’t get any?”
עם מי אכלת ארוחת בוקר?
Im mi akhalta aruchat boker?
“Whom did you have breakfast with?”
- מתי
Matay
“When”
אתם יודעים מתי מתחיל הסרט?
Atem yodim matay matchil haseret?
“Do you know when the movie starts?”
- למה?
Lamah
“Why”
אתן יודעות למה לא טוב לאכול לפני השינה?
Aten yodot lamah lo tov leekhol lifney hasheyna?
“Do you know why it’s not good to eat before sleeping?”
4. Hebrew Indefinite Pronouns
The final category of pronouns in Hebrew are the indefinite pronouns. This type of pronoun is used to reference non-specific or general nouns. These pronouns can be very useful when we want to make any sort of generalization. Let’s have a look at them!
- כולם
Kulam
“Everyone”
כולם יודעים שאין כמו בירה קרה ביום חם.
Kulam yodim sheeyn kmo birah karah beyom cham.
“Everyone knows there’s nothing like a cold beer on a hot day.”
- כולנו
Kulanu
“All of us”
כולנו עייפים אז בואו נישן.
Kulanu ayefim az bou nishan.
“All of us are tired, so let’s sleep.”
- הכל
Hakol
“Everything”
אל תדאג, הכל בסדר.
Al tidag, hakol beseder.
“Don’t worry, everything is fine.”
- כל דבר
Kol davar
“Everything” / “Anything”
כל דבר שאני עושה מצליח!
Kol davar sheani oseh matzliach!
“Everything/Anything I do succeeds!”
- כל מקום
Kol makhom
“Everywhere” / “Anywhere”
אני אשמח להיות בכל מקום חוץ מכאן! יש זבל בכל מקום.
Ani esmach lehiyot bekhol makhom chutz mikan! Yesh zevel bekhol makhom.
“I’d be happy to be anywhere but here! There is garbage everywhere.”
The following are common negative indefinite pronouns. Note in the examples that in Hebrew, we use the double negative.
- שום דבר
Shum davar
“Nothing”
לא עשיתי שום דבר היום.
Lo asiti shum davar hayom.
“I did nothing today.”
- אף אחד
Af echad
“No one”
אף אחד לא הוציא את הזבל?
Af echad lo hotzi et hazevel?
“No one took out the trash?”
- אף מקום
Af makhom
“Nowhere”
אני לא מוצא את הכפכפים שלי באף מקום.
Ani lo motzeh et hakafkafim sheli beaf makhom.
“I can’t find my flipflops anywhere.”
- משהו
Mashehu
“Something”
יש לך משהו קר לשתות?
Yesh lakh mashehu kar lishtot?
“Do you have something cold to drink?”
- מישהו
Mishehu
“Someone”
מישהו הזמין כאן פיצה?
Mishehu hizmin kan pitza?
“Did someone here order a pizza?”
- איפשהו
Eyfoshehu
“Somewhere”
אני בטוח שהשארתי את המשקפיים שלי כאן איפשהו.
Ani batuach shehisharti et hamishkafayim sheli kan eyfoshehu.
“I’m sure I left my glasses here somewhere.”
5. Conclusion: Master Hebrew the Fun Way with HebrewPod101.com!
Great job! You’ve made it through this pronoun lesson in one piece. I know that Hebrew language pronouns are a lot to take in, but pronouns are truly part of the backbone of your Hebrew language mastery. So just pick a few at a time and give them some practice. It’s definitely worth it, as you can see how practical these words are, and how often we use them in everyday conversations. Plus, knowing your Hebrew pronouns will help you avoid a whole lot of confusion when you’re conversing with other Hebrew speakers.
So definitely take the time to study this Hebrew pronouns list and the examples, and go ahead and practice using them to talk about yourself, your family, your pets, your home—anything you feel like. As long as it’s a person, place, thing, or idea, it’s a noun. And as long as it’s a noun, it can be replaced by a pronoun!
I hope you found this lesson useful. Feel free to let us know in the comments below how you feel about using pronouns in Hebrew! Feeling confident, or still a bit uncertain? We look forward to hearing from you, and hope that you’ll continue visiting HebrewPod101.com throughout your journey to language mastery! Shalom!
