Language/Hungarian/Grammar/Adjectives
Hi Hungarian learners! đ
In this lesson, we will learn about adjectives in Hungarian. Adjectives are words that describe or modify a noun or a pronoun.
Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Give your Opinion, Introduction to Hungarian Grammar: Verbs and tenses, Descriptive Adjectives & Possessed object.
Basics[edit | edit source]
In Hungarian, adjectives are usually placed after the noun they modify. However, if we want to emphasize the adjective, we can place it before the noun.
Example:
Hungarian | Pronunciation | English Translation |
---|---|---|
a nagy hĂĄz | /É nÉÉ haËz/ | the big house |
Here, "nagy" (big) is the adjective and "hĂĄz" (house) is the noun. We can see that the adjective comes after the noun.
Adjectives in Hungarian also have different forms depending on the gender, number, and case of the noun they modify.
Gender[edit | edit source]
In Hungarian, there are three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. The gender of the noun determines the form of the adjective.
Example:
Hungarian | Pronunciation | English Translation |
---|---|---|
az asztal | /Éz ÉstÉl/ | the table (masculine) |
a szĂ©k | /É seËk/ | the chair (feminine) |
a toll | /É toÉ«/ | the pen (neuter) |
In the above example, we can see that the adjective "asztal" (table) changes to "asztali" when modifying a feminine noun ("a szék") or "asztalai" when modifying a neuter noun ("a toll").
Number[edit | edit source]
In Hungarian, there are two numbers: singular and plural. The number of the noun also affects the form of the adjective.
Example:
Hungarian | Pronunciation | English Translation |
---|---|---|
a nagy hĂĄz | /É nÉÉ haËz/ | the big house (singular) |
a nagy hĂĄzak | /É nÉÉ haËzÉk/ | the big houses (plural) |
In this example, the adjective "nagy" (big) does not change when modifying a singular noun ("a nagy hĂĄz") but it adds "-k" when modifying a plural noun ("a nagy hĂĄzak").
Case[edit | edit source]
In Hungarian, there are 18 cases, which means the form of the adjective will change depending on the case of the noun. However, there are no specific rules for adjectives, as the changes can be rather unpredictable. Therefore, it is important to memorize the correct forms of the adjectives when used in different cases.
Example:
Hungarian | Pronunciation | English Translation |
---|---|---|
a nagy hĂĄzban | /É nÉÉ haËzban/ | in the big house (inessive case) |
In this example, the adjective "nagy" (big) changes to "nagyban" when used in the inessive case ("a nagy hĂĄzban").
Comparison[edit | edit source]
In Hungarian, adjectives have comparative and superlative forms. The comparative form is used to make a comparison between two objects, while the superlative form is used to express the highest degree of something.
To form the comparative, we add "-bb" to the end of the adjective. To form the superlative, we add "-leg" to the end of the adjective.
Example:
Hungarian | Pronunciation | English Translation |
---|---|---|
nagy | /nÉÉ/ | big |
nagyobb | /nÉÉobË/ | bigger |
legnagyobb | /lÉÉĄnÉÉobË/ | biggest |
In this example, we can see that the comparative form of "nagy" (big) is "nagyobb" (bigger) and the superlative form is "legnagyobb" (biggest).
Examples[edit | edit source]
Let's see some examples of adjectives in context:
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Szeretném kérni a __nagy__ tåskådat. (__I would like to ask for your big bag.__)
- Person 2: Természetesen, itt van. (__Of course, here it is.__)
- Person 1: Köszönöm szépen. Ez a tåbor __nagyszerƱ__ volt. (__Thank you very much. This camp was great.__)
- Person 2: ĂrĂŒlök, hogy tetszett. Az __Ășj__ tĂĄborunk mĂ©g __jobb__ lesz. (__I'm glad you liked it. Our new camp will be even better.__)
In this dialogue, we can see different adjectives being used to describe a bag ("nagy"), a camp ("nagyszerƱ" and "Ășj"), and comparing the new camp with the previous one ("jobb").
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Adjectives are an essential part of language, as they allow us to describe and modify nouns and pronouns. In Hungarian, adjectives have different forms depending on gender, number, and case, and also have comparative and superlative forms. Practice these forms with native speakers on Polyglot Club and improve your [1]] Grammar! Don't forget to ask any questions if you have any. đ
⥠If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
⥠Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. đ
Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Future Tense, Intermediate Hungarian grammar: Conditional and Subjunctive Moods, Forming Plurals & Conditional Mood.
Videos[edit | edit source]
HUNGARIAN LESSON Nr. 3 - ADVERBS - ADJECTIVES - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Hungarian lessons 8: The adjective ( A melléknév) - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Plurals
- Gender
- Conditional Mood
- Negation
- Possessed object
- Nouns
- How to Use Have
- Cardinal Numbers
- Questions
- How to Use Be
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Adjectives in Hungarian [HungarianReference.com > Grammar ...
- Hungarian grammar - Wikipedia
- Absolute adjectives in Hungarian - Grammar