# Learn Hebrew with NativePal > Learn Hebrew with NativePal: levelled reading, vocabulary with spaced repetition, and pronunciation coaching. Free app for iOS and Android. ## Quick facts - Native name: עברית - Speakers: 9+ million speakers worldwide - Spoken in: Israel - Writing system: Hebrew alphabet, 22 letters, written right to left - FSI difficulty category: III - Estimated study to professional working proficiency: 1100 hours (about 44 weeks full-time, per the US Foreign Service Institute) - Proficiency framework: CEFR (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) ## What English speakers find hardest about Hebrew - **Roots and binyanim**: Three-letter roots are poured into seven verb patterns that shift the meaning between active, passive, causative and reflexive. Learning the patterns unlocks whole word families at once. - **Unwritten vowels**: Everyday text omits vowel marks, so the same string of letters can be several words. You have to know the word before you can read it, which inverts the usual learning order. - **Verbs agree with gender**: Hebrew verbs change according to the gender of the person acting, so men and women say the same sentence differently, even in the first person. - **The construct state**: Possession is shown by changing the form of the first noun rather than adding a word, so "house of the book" fuses into a single unit, beit hasefer. - **Numbers with reversed gender agreement**: Numbers take the opposite gender form to the noun they count, an inherited quirk that confounds learners and many native speakers alike. ## How you practise Hebrew in NativePal - [Reading Lessons](https://nativepal.app/features/reading-lessons/): Hebrew stories generated for your level, every word tappable for a translation, comprehension quiz at the end. - [Vocabulary & Dictionary](https://nativepal.app/features/vocabulary-and-dictionary/): themed Hebrew vocabulary lessons plus a personal dictionary feeding spaced-repetition flashcards. - [Speaking Practice](https://nativepal.app/features/speaking-practice/): read Hebrew aloud on a teleprompter and get scored on individual sounds, prosody, fluency, and connected speech. - [Daily Challenges](https://nativepal.app/features/daily-challenges/): 60 seconds of freeform Hebrew every day, analysed for grammar, vocabulary, and phrasing. - [Learning Scenarios](https://nativepal.app/features/learning-scenarios/): structured Hebrew lessons from the alphabet for absolute beginners. ## FAQ ### How long does it take to learn Hebrew? The US Foreign Service Institute puts Hebrew at roughly 1100 hours of instruction — about 44 weeks full-time — to reach professional working proficiency. Holding a simple conversation comes much sooner: most learners manage it inside the first few months. NativePal shortens the part you control: reading at your level every day, vocabulary that returns before you forget it, and speaking practice that scores your pronunciation instead of just ticking a box. ### What is hardest about Hebrew grammar? Roots and binyanim: Three-letter roots are poured into seven verb patterns that shift the meaning between active, passive, causative and reflexive. Learning the patterns unlocks whole word families at once. Unwritten vowels: Everyday text omits vowel marks, so the same string of letters can be several words. You have to know the word before you can read it, which inverts the usual learning order. Verbs agree with gender: Hebrew verbs change according to the gender of the person acting, so men and women say the same sentence differently, even in the first person. The construct state: Possession is shown by changing the form of the first noun rather than adding a word, so "house of the book" fuses into a single unit, beit hasefer. Numbers with reversed gender agreement: Numbers take the opposite gender form to the noun they count, an inherited quirk that confounds learners and many native speakers alike. ### Is Hebrew hard for English speakers? Hard — new script and unfamiliar word formation. A short alphabet with five letters taking a different final form. Vowels are usually not written, so reading takes a few weeks but reading unvowelled text takes real vocabulary knowledge. ### What writing system does Hebrew use? Hebrew uses hebrew alphabet, 22 letters, written right to left. A short alphabet with five letters taking a different final form. Vowels are usually not written, so reading takes a few weeks but reading unvowelled text takes real vocabulary knowledge. ### What proficiency levels does NativePal use for Hebrew? NativePal levels your Hebrew practice with CEFR, so reading lessons, vocabulary, and speaking prompts are generated for the level you select rather than a generic average. The ladder runs A1 through to C2. ### Where is Hebrew spoken? Hebrew is spoken in Israel, with 9+ million speakers worldwide. ### Can I learn Hebrew as a complete beginner? Yes. NativePal's Learning Scenarios start from the alphabet, numbers, greetings, and how to introduce yourself, with no prior Hebrew assumed. Once those land, reading lessons and vocabulary packs pick up from wherever you are. ### Does NativePal correct my Hebrew pronunciation? Yes. You read Hebrew aloud on a teleprompter and get scored on individual vowels and consonants, stress, rhythm and intonation, fluency, and connected speech — not just a pass or fail. The 60-second daily speaking challenge adds freeform practice on top. ### Can I practise speaking Hebrew, not just reading it? Yes, and it is the most-used part of the app. Speaking Practice is a teleprompter you read aloud for scored pronunciation feedback, the daily challenge gives you 60 seconds of freeform talk, and you can reply with your voice in any chat or roleplay scenario. ### Is NativePal free for learning Hebrew? NativePal is free to start, with a daily allowance across reading, vocabulary, speaking practice, and chats. A premium subscription removes the daily limits and unlocks the longer formats. Prices are set in the App Store and Google Play and vary by region. ### Do I need an account to start learning Hebrew? No. NativePal uses anonymous sign-in, so you can start practising Hebrew without an email address or social login. ## More - [All supported languages](https://nativepal.app/languages.html) - [All features](https://nativepal.app/features/) - [Compare NativePal with other apps](https://nativepal.app/compare/) - [llms.txt](https://nativepal.app/llms.txt)