The Hebrew verb פועל po-al is used as the English verb, but is constructed differently. Hebrew verbs have internal structure of three- or four-consonant root שורש sho-resh that are constructed into one of seven constructions (Binyanim בניינים). Most roots can be constructed in more than one construction (binyan) and usually with related meaning.

Binyan pa-al - בניין פָּעַל: ya-shav ישב (sat), ba-na בנה (built). Binyan pa-al is the most common. Verbs are transitive, intransitive and in the active voice.

Binyan nif-al - בניין נִפְעַל: niv-na נבנה (was built), nih-tav נכתב (was written). Verbs are always intransitive and are the passive of binyan pa-al.

Binyan pi-el - בניין פִּעֵל: yi-shev יישב (settled), bik-er ביקר (visited). Verbs are transitive, intransitive and in the active voice.

Binyan pu-al - בניין פֻּעַל: yoo-shav יושב (was settled), boo-kar בוקר (was visited). Verbs are in the passive voice, and do not have gerunds, imperatives, or infinitives.

Binyan hif-il - בניין הִפְעִיל: ho-shiv הושיב (set someone down), hih-tiv הכתיב (dictated). Verbs are in the active voice, and causative counterparts of verbs in other binyanim.

Binyan huf-al - בניין הֻפְעַל: hoo-shav הושב (was seated), hooh-tav הוכתב (was dictated) Verbs are in the passive voice, and do not have gerunds, imperatives, or infinitives.

Binyan hit-pa-el - בניין הִתְפַּעֵל: hit-ya-shev התיישב (sat), hit-ka-tev התכתב (corresponded). Verbs are in the active voice, intransitive, and most have a reflexive sense and are reciprocal.