In Hebrew, an adverb (to’ar ha-po’al – תואר הפועל) is a word that describes how, when, where, or to what extent an action is performed. Just like in English, adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or even entire sentences.
Key Features of Hebrew Adverbs
- Most adverbs are invariable – they do not change for gender, number, or tense.
- They often follow the verb they modify, but can also appear at the beginning or end of a sentence.
- Some adverbs are derived from adjectives, especially by using the word בְּ (b’ – in/with) before the adjective.
Common Types of Adverbs
- Manner – How?
- לאט (le’at) – slowly
- מהר (maher) – quickly
- בזהירות (b’zehirut) – carefully
- בקלות (b’kalut) – easily
Example:
הוא מדבר לאט (hu medaber le’at) – He speaks slowly
- Time – When?
- עכשיו (achshav) – now
- אתמול (etmol) – yesterday
- מחר (machar) – tomorrow
- תמיד (tamid) – always
- לפעמים (lif’amim) – sometimes
Example:
אנחנו נפגשים מחר (anachnu nifgashim machar) – We’re meeting tomorrow
- Place – Where?
- כאן (kan) – here
- שם (sham) – there
- בחוץ (ba’chutz) – outside
- בפנים (bifnim) – inside
Example:
הילדים משחקים בחוץ (hayeladim mesachakim ba’chutz) – The children are playing outside
- Degree / Frequency – To what extent?
- מאוד (me’od) – very
- קצת (ktzat) – a little
- הרבה (harbeh) – a lot
- לעיתים קרובות (le’itim krovot) – often
Example:
היא מאוד עייפה (hi me’od ayefah) – She is very tired
Adverbs from Adjectives
Many Hebrew adverbs are formed by placing בְּ (b’) before an adjective:
- במהירות (b’mehirut) – quickly (from מהיר – mahir)
- בשקט (b’sheket) – quietly (from שקט – sheket)
- בכנות (b’kenut) – honestly (from כן – ken)
These forms are especially common in formal or written Hebrew. 