Verb conjugation in Hebrew into transitive and intransitive cases is at best imprecise approximation. Rather, verb conjugation in Hebrew is subjected to intensity of participation.
The intensity of participation of Hebrew verbs is actually a spectrum which can roughly be stratified into four levels.
- stative
- participative
- causative
- reflexive
Each of the first three levels (excluding reflexive) has two indirections
- active
- passive
The four cases of participation are
- פעל-נפעל
- פיעל-פועל
- היפעל-הופעל
- התפעל
There are no distinct boundaries correlating the four levels with the four cases of participation. Therefore, conjugation of verb cases in Hebrew is approximate, precise but not exact. However, there is a general trend for the following correlation. The intensity of participation increases down the list.
Case |
|
Level of Participation
|
|
Hypothetical Example
(in present tense/participle)
|
פָעַל |
|
Stative active.
|
|
I remember/recall.
I learn.
I kill.
|
| | Rare cases of stative passive.
| | |
נִפְעַל |
|
Stative passive.
|
|
I am remembered.
It is being learned.
I am killed.
|
|
|
Rare cases of stative active. |
|
I reminisce. |
פִיעֵל 1
|
|
Participative active
|
|
I kill someone.
|
פוּעֵל 1
|
|
Participative passive
|
|
I am killed by someone.
|
פִיעֵל 2
|
|
Lesser Causative active
|
|
I remind - I cause (someone) to remember.
I teach - I cause (someone) to learn.
|
פוּעֵל 2
|
|
Lesser Causative passive
|
|
I am reminded.
I am taught.
|
הִפְעִיל 1 |
|
Higher Participative active
|
|
I slaughter (intransitive).
I slaughter people.
|
הוּפְעַל 1
|
|
Higher Participative passive
|
|
My village is slaughtered (intransitive).
My village is slaughtered by someone.
|
הִפְעִיל 2 |
|
Causative active |
|
I mention someone -
I remind that someone is to be remembered. |
הוּפְעַל 2
|
|
Causative passive |
|
I am mentioned. |
הִתְפַעֵל |
|
Reflexive
|
|
We remember ourselves.
We see ourselves = we meet. The computers connect.
|
Grammatical Term
|
Explanation
|
Stative
| Indefinite time and/or target.
|
Transitive active
|
Action defines a target
|
Intransitive active
|
Action does not define a target
|
Transitive passive
|
Action on subject defines a source
|
Intransitive passive
|
Action on subject does not define a source |
Reflexive
|
Perform action on oneself/selves
|
|