את

Marking a Definite Direct Object

Level 2

את marks a definite direct object. It commonly appears before a name, a noun with ה, or another definite object phrase.

How It Works

Recognize the Object

A direct object is the person or thing affected or identified by a verb such as see or read. In אני קורא את הספר, the article belongs to הספר; את comes before the complete object phrase.

Definite Without ה

Names are normally definite, so say אני מכיר את דנה. A definite construct phrase also takes the marker when it is a direct object: אני רואה את בית הספר. The first noun in that construct phrase does not receive its own ה.

Different Relationships

A subject does not take את: דנה קוראת. A verb that selects a preposition keeps it: אני מחכה לדנה, I am waiting for Dana. את is not a general marker for every person after a verb. Its object-pronoun forms such as אותי are learned separately, and its unpointed spelling also resembles feminine singular you, pronounced at.

Examples (4)

  1. אני רואה את דנה.

    I see Dana.

    A name can be a definite direct object.

  2. היא קוראת את הספר.

    She is reading the book.

    את precedes the definite object.

  3. היא קוראת ספר.

    She is reading a book.

    The indefinite object has no את.

  4. אני מחכה לדנה.

    I am waiting for Dana.

    The verb selects ל rather than a direct-object marker.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting את before the subject rather than the object.

    את דנה קוראת ספר.
    דנה קוראת ספר.

    In the intended sentence Dana is the reader, so her name is the subject and takes no את.

How It Connects

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אתLevel 2Marking a Definite Direct Object

Learn This First

Identify a definite direct object without treating את as an article or subject marker.

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Patterns that build on this one.