This document introduces the pi'el verb form in Hebrew. It explains that pi'el verbs use the same root letters as pa'al verbs but convey a more intensive meaning. The prefix "mem" is added to the root to form the pi'el. For example, the root LMD becomes "melamed" in pi'el, meaning "to teach," compared to "lilmod" in pa'al, meaning "to learn." Pi'el verbs follow the same conjugation patterns as pa'al verbs, with some variations for weak verbs. The infinitive is formed by replacing the "mem" prefix with "lamed."

1. Verbs pi’el
In this lesson, we will take a look at the a new בניין called the
pi’el group.

2. Verbs pi’el
So far, all of our discussions of verbs have been in the first
בניין called the pa’al group. We have learned the normal
form, hashlamim, as well as all the other forms that can
occur due to either a guttural letter or a ‘weak’ letter.
There are still some combinations of ‘weak’ letters we have
not yet discussed. This is because all the other
combinations either do not exist in Hebrew or follow the
patterns of one of the other גזרה . For instance, the 3rd נ
verbs follow the same conjugation as gizrat hashlamim.

3. Verbs pi’el
As lesson 5 mentioned, there are 7 בניינים in Hebrew. The
first was בניין פעל and this second group we are learning
now is called בניין פיעל . Notice how both פעל and פיעל
have the same root letters ע,פ , and ל. This is because the
form of the pi’el uses the same root of a verb, but produces a
different base meaning.
The פעל form conveys a simple action. The פיעל conveys
an intensive action. They are both active verb forms (We will
discuss other verb forms later in other בניין ). We will
demonstrate these differences later in this lesson.
Not all verbs exist in all 7 בניינים . In fact most do not. So
just because a word exists in בניין פעל does not mean it also
exists in .בניין פיעל

4. Verbs pi’el
Since the word בניין means building, let’s use as analogy
using buildings. Each בניין can be thought of as a separate
building.
Each building
has floors (the
גזרות ). They
exist in each
.בנייןים
Each floor has
rooms which are
the tenses (past,
present future,
infinitive, etc).

5. Verbs pi’el
The formation of the present tense of verbs in בניין פיעל is
very similar to בניין פעל . The difference is mainly in the
vowels and in the prefix .מ
When forming the פיעל form, first take the root letters of the
verb in question.
(In this case we will use the verb root למד because it does exist
in both pa’al and pi’el forms. You should recognize this verb.
It’s present tense pa’al form is לומד in masculine singular form
which means ‘learn’.)
Then add the prefix מ to the beginning of the root .מלמד
This creates the pi’el form and this word means ‘teach’.
Notice the similarities and the differences in the meanings in
the pi’el and pa’al forms in this word.

6. Verbs pi’el
Because pi’el forms in the present tense have an additional
consonant due to the prefix מ, there are three vowels instead
of two like in pa’al.
Remember that the regular vowels of pa’al are XeXoX
(lomed, roked, cotev, etc).
In pi’el the regular vowels are XeXaXem. For instance, in
the case we just looked at מלמד , the correct pronunciation
would be melamed.
Make sure you do not mistake the מ prefix as a root letter.
This prefix does not appear in some of the other forms of the
pi’el.

7. Verbs pi’el
The ending for the feminine form of pi’el hashlamim is
usually .ת
All of the endings for feminine and plural forms are the same
as in pa’al. Simply add them to the end of the construction.
למד melamed
מלמדת melamedet
מלמדים melamdim
מלמדות melamdot
The גזרות of פיעל verbs generally follow the same rules as those
of פעל verbs. Review the lessons on each different גזרה to
know how the forms change. Use the פיעל normal vowels
unless a rule says otherwise. The ‘weak’ גזרות will be used in
the sentence lessons for פיעל verbs going forward. Use them to
learn.

8. Verbs pi’el
There are slight variations with 1st ‘weak’ גזרות verbs from the פעל
form due to the prefix. We will discuss those in future lessons.
Lastly, the פיעל infinitive form is easy to learn if you know the
present tense form, so we will learn it here. Verbs in פיעל will be
introduced in the infinitive form.
To form the infinitive, simply replace the prefix מ that marks a פיעל
verb in the present tense with a ל that marks the infinitive form.
You will notice that almost all infinitives use this ל prefix. The
vowels are the same as they are in the present tense: XeXaXel
ללמד) lelamed).
Notice that ללמד (to teach-lelamed) is very close to ללמוד (to learn-lilmod).
The difference in spelling is only a single letter ו. You can
tell the difference between them using this indicator.