Your Ultimate Hebrew Pronunciation Guide

Hebrew Pronunciation

Learning even the basics of Hebrew pronunciation can be a challenge, but understanding a few simple principles can make it substantially easier for you. One of those principles is something we would like to call the principle of repetition. That is, if you listen to Hebrew sounds and words being pronounced correctly, and then repeat what you’re hearing, you will eventually master the pronunciation of the language. This may seem tedious, but practice makes perfect, and this is an approach that works with more than just Hebrew. As a matter of fact, this approach will serve you well regardless of which particular language you’re trying to learn.

Another principle you’ll need to understand before you set out to master Hebrew pronunciation is that the Hebrew alphabet consists entirely of consonants. There are some dots that are used to indicate vowel sounds, but those are becoming less common in modern Hebrew. Another important fact to keep in mind here is that four of the consonants can also double as vowels. The vowel sounds represented in the various forms of Hebrew are essentially the same as the five vowel sounds which exist in English, though, so that should at least make matters a little bit easier for you.

Some of the rules of Hebrew pronunciation, as is the case with other languages, have exceptions. For example, the vast majority of the time, stress is placed on the last syllable of a Hebrew word that contains a vowel. The exception to this rule is a certain group of words, mostly nouns, in which the emphasis is placed on the next to last syllable containing a vowel. This is especially important in light of the fact that a lot of words in the Hebrew language have identical spellings. In such cases, it is only by the differences of emphasis that the word’s meaning can be determined.

Another commonality between Hebrew pronunciation and that of lots of other languages is that it has changed somewhat over time. Of course, that is partly due to the fact that so many Hebrew speakers come from so many different backgrounds. As a matter of fact, there are now even two different forms of Hebrew, known as Ashkenazi and Sephardic. This all may sound more than a little overwhelming, but you shouldn’t feel that way. Anyone can learn any new language given adequate time and instruction, and we’re here to help.

1) Use voice recording tools to perfect your pronunciation

HebrewPod101 has plenty of resources to help you with your Hebrew pronunciation, so be sure to make thorough use of our recordings with native Hebrew speakers. These are available not only to demonstrate to you how you should pronounce Hebrew vocabulary, but also sentences and dialogues. Watch and listen to these over and over again to train your ear, and watch the teacher’s mouth as she speaks in the video lessons. Then, copy the speech as best you can. Later, you can record yourself to hear if you sound like a native speaker and compare yourself with native speakers. Great for self-motivation.

2) Practice in front of the mirror.

And see that you’re copying the correct lip and mouth movements.

3) Use our HebrewPod101 dictionary!

Use the Hebrew dictionary provided by HebrewPod101 to look up words and listen to the audio pronunciation. This will go a long way towards giving you an idea of how to pronounce a word or letter correctly.

4) Train your ear to the language!

Make an effort to often listen to Hebrew music and recorded books, and watch plenty of Hebrew movies and/or TV shows in Hebrew. This will train your ear to the language, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you pick up the accent. Remember, this is the way we learned to speak when we were young - mostly by listening to the adults talking, and repeating what they say!

5) Practice, practice, practice…

Repetition of the same thing may be boring, but in learning a new language, you’re creating new pathways in your brain. For these to remain and become habitual, you will need to repeat the correct pronunciation often.

6) Make friends with a native Hebrew speaker.

Don’t be shy to address them in Hebrew! Ask them to correct you when you make a pronunciation mistake - this is a wonderful way to practice and learn the language first-hand, and also to make new friends.

7) Practice your pronunciation with your Hebrew teacher!

If you’re a serious student and don’t know where to meet native Hebrew speakers, consider investing in HebrewPod101’s Premium PLUS plan. This means you will have your own native Hebrew teacher available to practice your pronunciation with, and much more! Send recordings of yourself speaking Hebrew and get feedback from your Hebrew teacher.