ה־

The Definite Article

Level 1

The prefix ה often means the: ספר is a book and הספר is the book. An ordinary definite noun-adjective phrase also marks its adjective with ה.

How It Works

One Attached Letter

Write the article together with its word: הבית, not a separate ה followed by a space. Its vowel and sometimes the next consonant change in fully pointed spelling. Ha is a useful first reading, but not a pronunciation rule for every word.

Definite Description

ספר חדש names a new book. הספר החדש names the new book. Repeat the article on an ordinary attributive adjective. In הספר חדש, the adjective is a predicate: the book is new.

Other Definite Phrases

A person’s name is normally already definite: דנה, not הדנה. In a construct phrase the article normally belongs on the second noun, as in בית הספר. Attached ב and ל combine with the article in forms such as בבית and לבית; ordinary unpointed letters may hide the pronunciation difference between an indefinite and definite form.

Examples (4)

  1. ספר / הספר

    A book / the book.

    The article is written as a prefix.

  2. בית חדש / הבית החדש

    A new house / the new house.

    A definite describing adjective takes ה too.

  3. דנה בבית.

    Dana is at home; Dana is in the house.

    The name does not require an article.

  4. בית הספר

    The school.

    The article belongs to the second noun in this construct phrase.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing the article as a separate word.

    ה ספר
    הספר

    The article ה attaches directly to this noun.

How It Connects

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

ה־Level 1The Definite Article

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Introduce article marking on a noun and its agreeing attributive adjective through a visible definite phrase contrast.

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Patterns that build on this one.