The imperative in Nif’al is used to give commands or requests in a passive or reflexive sense – often telling someone to allow themselves to be affected by an action or to perform an action upon themselves. It’s typically directed at the second person (you).
Let’s use the root כ־נ־ס (K–N–S), which in Nif’al means “to enter” or “to go in.”
Structure
- Begins with הִ־
- Often includes a doubled middle root letter (marked by a dagesh)
- Reflects a passive or inward-directed action
Imperative Forms of נִכְנַס – “to enter”
| Person | Form | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| You (m. sg.) | הִכָּנֵס! | hikanés | Enter! |
| You (f. sg.) | הִכָּנְסִי! | hikansí | Enter! |
| You (m. pl.) | הִכָּנְסוּ! | hikansú | Enter! |
| You (f. pl.) (rare) | הִכָּנֵסְנָה! | hikanésna | Enter! |
The feminine plural form (-נה) is rarely used in Modern Hebrew and mostly appears in Biblical or poetic contexts.