Lesson 151: Reported Speech
To report what someone said, Hebrew links the two clauses with שֶׁ־ (she-, “that”) and shifts the pronouns to your point of view. Note there’s no strict tense “backshift” like English. Tap any line to hear it.
Reporting statements
הוּא אָמַר שֶׁהוּא יָבוֹא מָחָר.
hu amar shehu yavo machar.
He said he would come tomorrow.
הִיא סִפְּרָה שֶׁהִיא עָבְרָה דִּירָה.
hi sipra shehi avra dira.
She told me she had moved.
Reporting questions
הוּא שָׁאַל אִם אֲנִי פָּנוּי.
hu sha’al im ani panui.
He asked whether I was free.
הִיא רָצְתָה לָדַעַת מָתַי נַתְחִיל.
hi ratsta ladaat matai natchil.
She wanted to know when we’d start.
Reporting requests
הֵם בִּקְּשׁוּ שֶׁנַּגִּיעַ בַּזְּמַן.
hem bikshu shenagia bazman.
They asked us to arrive on time.
אָמְרוּ לִי לְחַכּוֹת כָּאן.
amru li lechakot kan.
They told me to wait here.