What it does
Tevir is a light disjunctive, similar in strength to Pashta. It marks the end of a sub-phrase, often within a longer clause that's building toward Tipcha or Etnachta. Tevir usually follows a Mercha or Darga.
Where it appears
Common across the Torah. The pattern Darga-Tevir and Mercha-Tevir are both standard. Look for Tevir on words inside the broader phrase that leads into the next major pause.
How to remember it
Tevir means "broken." The melody breaks downward, ending the sub-phrase. Visually, the mark is an angled slash below the letter, distinct from Tipcha's simpler diagonal.
Example from the Torah
Bereishis 12:1
On לֶךְ־לְךָ֛, Tevir lightly pauses Hashem's command to Avraham before the verse continues "from your land, your birthplace, and your father's house."
Hear the melody
A synthesized rendering of the melodic shape, not a vocal recording. For a baal koreh's voice on a full aliyah, PocketTorah is a great free resource.
Hand signal (simanim)
Often confused with
Both are below the letter and both pause. Tipcha always immediately precedes Etnachta or Sof Pasuk; Tevir does not. If the next major stop is one word away, it's Tipcha. Otherwise consider Tevir.