Hebrew Morphology Codes

Hebrew morphology codes use the compact OSHB format. A code like HVqp3ms reads as: H (Hebrew), V (verb), q (Qal), p (perfect), 3 (3rd person), m (masculine), s (singular). Prefixes are separated by / (e.g. HR/Ncfsa = preposition + noun).

Also see: Greek Morphology Codes

Part of Speech

CodeMeaningDescription
AAdjectiveDescribes a noun (e.g. gadol "great," tov "good")
CConjunctionConnects words or clauses (most commonly waw "and")
DAdverbModifies a verb (e.g. me'od "very")
NNounA person, place, thing, or idea (e.g. elohim "God")
PPronounSubstitutes for a noun (e.g. hu "he," ani "I")
RPrepositionShows relationship (e.g. be "in," le "to," min "from")
TParticleFunction words: article (ha), direct object marker (et), relative (asher)
VVerbAn action or state (e.g. bara "he created")

Verbal Stem (Binyan)

Hebrew verbs have seven major stems (binyanim) that modify the root's meaning — adding causative, passive, or intensive force.

CodeStemDescription
qQalSimple active ("he kept")
NNiphalSimple passive or reflexive ("he was kept" / "he kept himself")
pPielIntensive active ("he guarded diligently")
PPualIntensive passive ("he was carefully guarded")
tHithpaelIntensive reflexive ("he guarded himself carefully")
hHiphilCausative active ("he caused to keep")
HHophalCausative passive ("he was caused to keep")

Conjugation

CodeMeaningDescription
pPerfectCompleted action ("he wrote")
iImperfectIncomplete/ongoing action ("he was writing" / "he will write")
wSequential imperfectImperfect with waw-consecutive, narrating past events
qSequential perfectPerfect with waw-consecutive, continuing a narrative
vImperativeA command ("write!")
hCohortativeFirst-person wish or intention ("let me write")
jJussiveThird-person wish or command ("let him write")
aInfinitive absoluteEmphasizes the verb ("he will surely write")
cInfinitive constructThe verbal noun ("to write," "writing")
rParticiple activeThe one doing the action ("the one writing")
sParticiple passiveThe one receiving the action ("the thing written")

Person, Gender & Number

CodeMeaning
1First person ("I" / "we")
2Second person ("you")
3Third person ("he" / "she" / "they")
mMasculine
fFeminine
cCommon (both genders)
bBoth (masculine and feminine)
sSingular
pPlural
dDual (exactly two)

State

CodeMeaningDescription
aAbsoluteThe noun stands independently ("a king")
cConstructThe noun is bound to the following word ("king of Israel")
dDeterminedThe noun is definite, often with the article

Common Particle Subtypes

CodeMeaningDescription
dDefinite articleThe prefix ha- ("the")
oDirect object markerThe word et, marking the definite direct object
rRelativeThe word asher ("who," "which," "that")