Infinitives and commands
"To write", "write", and how requests are really made.
The infinitive starts with ל. It follows verbs like "want", "can" and "start" (see Want, can, must), and כְּדֵי kdei "in order to".
| Binyan | Infinitive |
|---|---|
| pa'al | לִכְתֹּב likhtov to write |
| nif'al | לְהִכָּנֵס lehikanes to enter |
| pi'el | לְדַבֵּר ledaber to speak |
| hif'il | לְהַזְמִין lehazmin to order, invite |
| hitpa'el | לְהִתְלַבֵּשׁ lehitlabesh to get dressed |
Weak roots give infinitives that look different: לָלֶכֶת lalekhet to go, לָבוֹא lavo to come, לָתֵת latet to give, לֶאֱכֹל le'ekhol to eat, לָשֶׁבֶת lashevet to sit, לִרְאוֹת lir'ot to see.
- ani ohev levashelI like to cook.a man speaking
- hi hitkhila lilmod ivritShe started learning Hebrew.
- bati kdei la'azorI came to help.
Commands
The command form, the imperative, has three forms: to a man, to a woman and to a group. It is formed from the future, mostly by dropping the prefix.
| Pa'al | Pi'el | Hif'il | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to a man | כְּתֹב ktov | דַּבֵּר daber | הַזְמֵן hazmen |
| to a woman | כִּתְבִי kitvi | דַּבְּרִי dabri | הַזְמִינִי hazmini |
| to a group | כִּתְבוּ kitvu | דַּבְּרוּ dabru | הַזְמִינוּ hazminu |
In everyday speech the future is used instead for most verbs: תִּכְתֹּב tikhtov, תִּכְתְּבִי tikhtevi, תִּכְתְּבוּ tikhtevu. Some short imperatives stay common, such as בּוֹא bo "come" (f. בּוֹאִי bo'i, pl. בּוֹאוּ bo'u), תֵּן ten "give" and שֵׁב shev "sit". Signs and instructions often use the infinitive.
Add בְּבַקָּשָׁה bevakasha "please" to soften a request. For "don't", use אַל with the future, never with the imperative.
- ta'azor li, bevakashaHelp me, please.to a man
- shvu, bevakashaSit down, please.to a group
- al tishkekhi et hamafte'akhDon't forget the key.to a woman
- lo le'ashenNo smoking.on a sign
Cards from this guide
10 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Verbs cards.
What letter does a Hebrew infinitive start with?
ל (l-), as in לִכְתֹּב (likhtov, to write).
What's the infinitive of דִּבֵּר (speak)?
לְדַבֵּר (ledaber).
What's the infinitive of הִזְמִין (order, book)?
לְהַזְמִין (lehazmin).
What's the infinitive 'to go'?
לָלֶכֶת (lalekhet).
How do you say 'in order to' before an infinitive?
כְּדֵי (kdei).
What's the command 'write!' said to a woman?
כִּתְבִי (kitvi).
For most verbs, what form do people use in everyday speech instead of the command form?
The future: תִּכְתֹּב (tikhtov) rather than כְּתֹב (ktov).
How do you say 'come!' to a woman?
בּוֹאִי (bo'i).
How do you tell a woman 'don't close the door'?
אַל תִּסְגְּרִי אֶת הַדֶּלֶת (al tisgeri et hadelet).
What verb form do signs and instructions often use, as in 'No smoking'?
The infinitive: לֹא לְעַשֵּׁן (lo le'ashen).