The binyan פָּעַל is the most basic and simplest to understand conjugation to learn. It does not contain any special identifying markers other than the root letters. In most פָּעַל conjugations, the stem consists of the sequence CoCeC – פּוֹעֵל. The vowels ‘o’ and ‘e’ are the stem vowels that help create most of the present tense forms.
Let's get started.

First, we need a word

The word לִרְקוֹד translates as "to dance". This is the infinitive form that you'll see most anywhere you see a listing of Hebrew vocabulary, or in a dictionary. Now, to begin conjugating this verb, we need to find the root. In this case we simply drop the infinitive prefix לִ and the vowel
cholam וֹ, to get the root: ר-ק-ד.

Present Tense

We found our root to begin our lesson: ר-ק-ד, now we need to know how to use it. In the present tense of a pa'al verb, four forms are needed – masculine singular, masculine plural, feminine singular and feminine plural. Here’s a table showing how to make these four forms. Look at the verb form and see where the stem vowels fit in.

I tried to keep this table as easy to read as possible. Since the verb form is the same for the “אני”, “אתה” and “הוא”, then I showed just the one instance to keep things looking neat.

Now let's take a look at the feminine forms of the verb:

Past Tense

To create the past tense (I danced, she danced, they all danced, etc), here is what you need.
One thing you will now notice, there are different stem vowels on each. So pay attention to them. Let's take a look at the masculine forms:

And now the feminine forms

Future Tense

You know what? This tense is going to take a little more thinking. So I’m going to end this article here and give you the future tense in the next one. Are you up for it? In the meantime, here’s a few exercises to help you in your learning.

Exercises

With these exercises, I’m giving you a word, along with the Hebrew verb root. Take any of the forms above and see what you can do with them. The answers will be provided with the next article.

Guard – שׁ-מ-ר
Write – כ-ת-ב
Finish – ג-מ-ר
Close – ס-ג-ר
Trust – ב-ט-ח
Learn / Study – ל-מ-ד
Send – שׁ-ל-ח
Remember – ז-כ-ר