← Back to lessons
Verbs like "can, must, want, like, need" are essential for expressing intent, obligation, taste. In Hebrew, they're often combined with an infinitive (לְ + verb). Plus the most common everyday verbs.
Infinitive, Hebrew infinitive starts with לְ (le-, "to / for"). לִשְׁתּוֹת (lishtot) = to drink. אֲנִי רוֹצֶה לִשְׁתּוֹת = I want to drink.
Can / Be Permitted (יָכוֹל / אֶפְשָׁר)
Must / Need (חַיָּב / צָרִיךְ / מֻכְרָח)
Nuances, צָרִיךְ (tzarich) = need / have to (most used) · חַיָּב (chayav) = obligated (stronger) · מֻכְרָח (muchrach) = compelled (formal).
Like / Love (אוֹהֵב)
Want (רוֹצֶה)
Do / Make (עוֹשֶׂה)
Give / Receive (נוֹתֵן / מְקַבֵּל)
Understand (מֵבִין)
Think (חוֹשֵׁב)
Sleep / Wake / Rise
Phrases Combining Modal Verbs