Hebrew verbs are organized into binyanim – verb groups that follow specific patterns. Each binyan has its own way of forming the imperative, which is used to give commands or instructions.
The imperative exists only in the second person (you), and its form depends on the binyan and the root letters.
Binyan Pa’al (פָּעַל) – Simple Action
This is the most basic verb group. The imperative is formed by removing the prefix from the future tense and adjusting vowels.
Root: כ.ת.ב (k.t.v – write)
| Person & Gender | Imperative Form | Transliteration |
| You (m. singular) | כתוב | ktov |
| You (f. singular) | כתבי | kitvi |
| You (plural) | כתבו | kitvu |
Binyan Pi’el (פִּעֵל) – Intensive or Repetitive Action
Imperative forms in Pi’el often keep the doubled middle root letter and follow a distinct vowel pattern.
Root: ד.ב.ר (d.b.r – speak)
| Person & Gender | Imperative Form | Transliteration |
| You (m. singular) | דבר | daber |
| You (f. singular) | דברי | dabri |
| You (plural) | דברו | dabru |
Binyan Hif’il (הִפְעִיל) – Causative Action
Imperative forms in Hif’il usually begin with ה and follow a vowel pattern with i and e sounds.
Root: ת.ח.ל (t.ch.l – begin)
| Person & Gender | Imperative Form | Transliteration |
| You (m. singular) | התחל | hatchel |
| You (f. singular) | התחילי | hatchili |
| You (plural) | התחילו | hatchilu |
Binyan Hitpa’el (הִתְפַּעֵל) – Reflexive or Reciprocal Action
Imperative forms in Hitpa’el begin with הת and reflect actions done to oneself or mutually.
Root: ר.ג.ש (r.g.sh – feel, become emotional)
| Person & Gender | Imperative Form | Transliteration |
| You (m. singular) | התרגש | hitragesh |
| You (f. singular) | התרגשי | hitragsi |
| You (plural) | התרגשו | hitragshu |
Binyan Nif’al (נִפְעַל) – Passive or Intransitive Action
Imperative forms in Nif’al often begin with ה and reflect passive or inward actions.
Root: כ.נ.ס (c/ch.n.s – enter)
| Person & Gender | Imperative Form | Transliteration |
| You (m. singular) | היכנס | hikanes |
| You (f. singular) | היכנסי | hikanesi |
| You (plural) | היכנסו | hikanesu |
Bonus Insight
Some verbs – especially in Pa’al – have shortened or irregular imperative forms:
- לך! (lech) – Go!
- שב! (shev) – Sit!
- בא! (bo) – Come!
