Noun Construct Phrases

Level 2

A construct phrase joins nouns directly, as in בית ספר. The first noun may change its vowels, ending or spelling.

How It Works

A Linked Unit

The first noun is the construct noun and the second completes it. Do not put an unrelated word between them in the simple construction. Learn בית ספר as a whole familiar phrase.

Changing Forms

Feminine ה often becomes ת, as in עוגה–עוגת שוקולד. A masculine plural in ים commonly has construct י, as in ספרים–ספרי ילדים. Some singular nouns change pronunciation even if their unpointed letters remain the same: בית in בית ספר is read differently from the independent house word.

Meaning and Alternatives

Not every pair of nouns forms a useful natural compound. Learn real phrases and their meanings. Everyday possession can also use של, which lets the owner remain a separate phrase. Definiteness and adjective placement in a construct phrase have their own rules.

Examples (4)

  1. בית ספר

    A school.

    The two nouns form a familiar compound.

  2. עוגת שוקולד

    A chocolate cake.

    עוגה changes to עוגת.

  3. ספרי ילדים

    Children’s books.

    The plural construct form is ספרי.

  4. תיק תלמיד

    A student’s bag.

    The second noun identifies the relationship.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping feminine ה in this construct form.

    עוגה שוקולד
    עוגת שוקולד

    The construct form of עוגה is עוגת.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Noun Construct PhrasesLevel 2

Learn This First

Recognize the first noun's actual construct form and the noun relation it creates.

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Patterns that build on this one.