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Intermediate

The Infinitive

The 'l-' prefix

Infinitive uses the ל- prefix

'To do' = ל + a verb form.

💬 Examples
לכתוב
likhtov
to write
📝 ל + root
ללכת
lalechet
to go / to walk
📝 An irregular infinitive
Infinitives follow many verbs

After 'want', 'like', 'can', etc.

💬 Examples
אני רוצה לאכול
ani rotze le'echol
I want to eat
📝 רוצה + infinitive
אני אוהב לקרוא
ani ohev likro
I like to read
📝 אוהב + infinitive
Infinitive for obligation: צריך / יש ל-

Modal-like expressions take the infinitive.

💬 Examples
אני צריך ללכת
ani tzarich lalechet
I need to go
📝 צריך + infinitive
יש לי מה לעשות
yesh li ma la'asot
I have something to do
📝 Infinitive after יש