# Niphal

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**Niphal** is the name given to one of the seven major verb stems called בִּנְיָנִים (/binjaˈnim/ binyanim, "constructions") in [biblical Hebrew](/source/Biblical_Hebrew_language). The designation Niphal comes from the form *niph‘al* for the verb *pa‘al*, "to do". The [*nun*](/source/Nun_(letter)) (נ) prefix is characteristic of the perfect conjugation, as well as of the participle. In the imperfect conjugation, the *nun* is (where possible) assimilated into the first root consonant and appears as a [dagesh forte](/source/Dagesh). In the imperative and infinitive construct, the prefix is a [*he*](/source/He_(letter)) (ה) instead of a *nun*. The [infinitive absolute](/source/Infinitive) may be prefixed by either the *nun* or the *he*.

The Niphal stem usually denotes the incomplete [passive](/source/Passive_Voice) or the [reflexive voice](/source/Reflexive_verb). However, some verbs, such as *nacham* (meaning "to repent" in the Niphal), may be better translated with the active voice.

## See also

- [Modern Hebrew verbs](/source/Modern_Hebrew_verbs)

## External links

- [http://www.becomingjewish.org/pdf/niphal_stem-hebrew.pdf](http://www.becomingjewish.org/pdf/niphal_stem-hebrew.pdf)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Niphal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niphal) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niphal?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.