The imperative in Pa’al is used to give direct commands or requests in a simple, active voice – like “Write!” It’s typically directed at the second person (you), and reflects straightforward action.
Let’s use the root כ־ת־ב (K–T–V), which in Pa’al means “to write.”
Structure
- No prefix (unlike infinitives)
- Vowel pattern varies slightly by gender and number
Imperative Forms of לִכְתוֹב – “to write”
| Person | Form | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| You (m. sg.) | כְּתוֹב! | ktov! | Write! |
| You (f. sg.) | כִּתְבִי! | kitví! | Write! |
| You (m. pl.) | כִּתְבוּ! | kitvú! | Write! |
| You (f. pl.) (rare) | כְּתוֹבְנָה! | ktovná! | Write! |
The feminine plural form (-נה) is rare in Modern Hebrew and mostly appears in Biblical or poetic contexts.