Language/Hungarian/Grammar/Forming-Plurals

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HungarianGrammar0 to A1 Course → Possessive Pronouns and Plurals → Forming Plurals

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Welcome to the lesson on forming plurals in Hungarian! In this lesson, we will explore how to add the appropriate suffix to nouns to indicate plural forms. Understanding plural formation is essential for effective communication in Hungarian, as it allows us to express quantities and refer to multiple objects or people. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of how to form plurals in Hungarian and be able to use them confidently in sentences and conversations.

Plural Formation in Hungarian[edit | edit source]

In Hungarian, plurals are formed by adding specific suffixes to nouns. The choice of suffix depends on the vowel harmony rules and the final consonant of the noun. Let's explore the different plural suffixes based on these factors:

Vowel Harmony[edit | edit source]

Hungarian has a vowel harmony system, which means that the vowels in a word must harmonize with each other. There are two main vowel groups: front vowels (e, é, i, í, ö, ő, ü, ű) and back vowels (a, á, o, ó, u, ú). When forming plurals, we need to pay attention to the vowel harmony rules.

If a noun contains only front vowels, the plural suffix will be -k. For example:

Hungarian Pronunciation English
ház hɑːz house
házak hɑːzɑk houses
szék seːk chair
székek seːkek chairs

If a noun contains a mix of front and back vowels, the plural suffix will be -ek. For example:

Hungarian Pronunciation English
alma ɑlmɑ apple
almák ɑlmaːk apples
toː lake
tavak tɑvɑk lakes

Final Consonant[edit | edit source]

In addition to vowel harmony, the final consonant of a noun can also affect the plural suffix. Let's explore the different possibilities:

If a noun ends in a vowel, the plural suffix will be -k. For example:

Hungarian Pronunciation English
asztal ɑstɑl table
asztalok ɑstɑlok tables
ablak ɑblɑk window
ablakok ɑblɑkok windows

If a noun ends in a consonant, the plural suffix will be -ak or -ek, depending on the vowel harmony. For example:

Hungarian Pronunciation English
kéz keːz hand
kezek kezɛk hands
cipő tsipoː shoe
cipők tsipɛk shoes

As you can see, forming plurals in Hungarian requires attention to both vowel harmony and the final consonant of the noun. Practice is key to mastering this aspect of the language, so let's move on to some exercises to solidify your understanding.

Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now it's time to practice forming plurals in Hungarian. Complete the following exercises by adding the appropriate plural suffix to the given nouns. The English translations are provided to help you understand the meaning of the words. When you're ready, check your answers at the end.

Exercise 1[edit | edit source]

Add the appropriate plural suffix to the following nouns:

  • alma (apple)
  • toll (pen)
  • kutya (dog)
  • kéz (hand)
  • szék (chair)

Exercise 2[edit | edit source]

Add the appropriate plural suffix to the following nouns:

  • ház (house)
  • ének (song)
  • kert (garden)
  • cipő (shoe)
  • autó (car)

Solutions[edit | edit source]

Exercise 1[edit | edit source]

  • almák
  • tollak
  • kutyák
  • kezek
  • székek

Exercise 2[edit | edit source]

  • házak
  • énekek
  • kertek
  • cipők
  • autók

Great job! You've completed the exercises successfully. Now that you have a solid understanding of how to form plurals in Hungarian, let's move on to the cultural section to learn more about regional variations and interesting facts related to plural usage in Hungarian.

Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]

In Hungarian, there are some regional variations in the usage and understanding of plurals. For example, in certain dialects spoken in the western part of Hungary, the plural suffix -k is often replaced with -ek. This variation is known as "western plural." It's important to be aware of these regional differences, as they can impact your comprehension when interacting with speakers from different parts of the country.

Historically, the Hungarian language has been influenced by various neighboring cultures and languages. This influence can be seen in the plural formation as well. For example, some nouns of foreign origin may have irregular plural forms that don't follow the standard rules. These irregularities can be traced back to the languages from which the words were borrowed. It's fascinating to explore these linguistic connections and understand the historical reasons behind certain plural forms in Hungarian.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations on completing the lesson on forming plurals in Hungarian! You have learned how to add the appropriate suffix to nouns to indicate plural forms, taking into account vowel harmony and the final consonant of the word. Through exercises and practice, you have solidified your understanding of plural formation and can now confidently use plurals in sentences and conversations.

Continue practicing and exploring the cultural nuances of the language to further enhance your Hungarian skills. In the next lesson, we will delve into possessive pronouns, which will allow you to express ownership and relationships. See you there!

Table of Contents - Hungarian Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Greetings and Introductions


Pronouns and Verb Conjugation


Numbers and Time


Questions and Negation


Family and Relationships


Adjectives and Adverbs


Food and Dining


Prepositions and Location


Travel and Transportation


Hungarian Customs and Traditions


Possessive Pronouns and Plurals


Hobbies and Leisure Activities


Hungarian History and Geography


Sources[edit | edit source]


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



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