Lesson 95: Giving Commands
Commands use the imperative — but in everyday speech Hebrew often uses the future tense as a softer command. To say “don’t,” use אַל (al) plus the future. Tap any line to hear it.
Do this
בּוֹא הֵנָּה!
bo hena!
Come here!
תִּשְׁמַע טוֹב.
tishma tov.
Listen carefully.
תֵּן לִי דַּקָּה.
ten li daka.
Give me a minute.
שֵׁב, בְּבַקָּשָׁה.
shev, bevakasha.
Sit down, please.
Don’t do this
אַל תִּדְאַג.
al tid’ag.
Don’t worry.
אַל תִּשְׁכַּח אֶת הַמַּפְתְּחוֹת.
al tishkach et hamaftechot.
Don’t forget the keys.
אַל תְּמַהֵר.
al temaher.
Don’t rush.
Softer requests
תַּעֲשֶׂה לִי טוֹבָה.
ta’ase li tova.
Do me a favor.
תַּגִּיד לִי כְּשֶׁתִּהְיֶה מוּכָן.
tagid li keshetihye muchan.
Tell me when you’re ready.