Language/Hungarian/Grammar/Forming-Plurals

Rate this lesson:

0.00

(0 votes)

Help - Comments

◀️ Possessive Pronouns — Previous Lesson	Next Lesson — Common Hobbies ▶️

Hungarian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Forming Plurals

In this lesson, we will dive into an essential aspect of the Hungarian language: forming plurals. Plurals are crucial for communication, allowing you to express quantity and variety, whether you're talking about people, objects, or ideas. In Hungarian, plural formation can seem a bit challenging at first due to the various rules and suffixes involved, but with practice, you’ll find it becomes second nature.

To help you grasp this topic effectively, we will first explore the general rules for forming plurals in Hungarian. Then, we'll provide you with numerous examples to solidify your understanding. Finally, we’ll wrap up with exercises to reinforce what you’ve learned.

So, let's get started!

Understanding Plurals in Hungarian

In Hungarian, plurals are typically formed by adding a suffix to the noun. The most common plural suffix is -k. However, the choice of suffix can vary depending on the vowel harmony of the noun and its ending.

== 1. Basic Rules for Plural Formation

Adding -k: This is the most common way to form plurals.

Vowel Harmony: Hungarian vowels can be classified as either front or back vowels. The suffix you choose will depend on the last vowel of the noun.

Noun Ending: The way a noun ends may also affect how you add the plural suffix.

Let’s break this down with examples.

Examples of Plural Formation

Hungarian	Pronunciation	English
könyv	kœnyv	book
könyvek	kœnyvɛk	books
gyümölcs	dyuːmølʧ	fruit
gyümölcsök	dyuːmølʧøk	fruits
város	vaːroʃ	city
városok	vaːroʃok	cities
autó	ɒutoː	car
autók	ɒutoːk	cars
kutya	kutɲa	dog
kutyák	kutɲaːk	dogs
telefon	tɛlɛfon	phone
telefonok	tɛlɛfonok	phones
asztal	ɒstɒl	table
asztalok	ɒstɒlok	tables
lány	lɑɲ	girl
lányok	lɑɲok	girls
fiú	fiːu	boy
fiúk	fiːuk	boys
szék	seːk	chair
székek	seːkɛk	chairs
ház	hɑːz	house
házak	hɑːzɑk	houses

Special Cases and Exceptions

While the basic rules give you a solid foundation, Hungarian has its quirks. Here are a few special cases to keep in mind:

1. Nouns ending in -i, -u, or -ü: When forming plurals, these nouns often change.

Example:

híd (bridge) becomes hidak (bridges).

2. Compound Nouns: For compound nouns, only the last part typically takes the plural form.

Example:

iskolás gyerek (school child) becomes iskolás gyerekek (school children).

3. Irregular Nouns: Some nouns don’t follow the standard rules and must be memorized.

Example:

ember (man) becomes emberek (men).

Practice Scenarios

Now that you have a good grasp of how to form plurals, let's put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises designed to reinforce what you’ve learned.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentences by adding the correct plural form of the given noun.

1. A könyv a _____ (book) az asztalon.

Solution: A könyvek az asztalon. (The books are on the table.)

2. A kutya a _____ (dog) a kertben.

Solution: A kutyák a kertben. (The dogs are in the garden.)

3. A lány a _____ (girl) játszik.

Solution: A lányok játszanak. (The girls are playing.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct plural form for the following nouns.

1. _____ (fiú)

a) fiúk

b) fiú

c) fiúnak

Solution: a) fiúk

2. _____ (város)

a) városhoz

b) városok

c) város

Solution: b) városok

3. _____ (asztal)

a) asztalok

b) asztala

c) asztal

Solution: a) asztalok

Exercise 3: Translate to Hungarian

Translate the following English sentences into Hungarian, using the correct plurals.

1. The children are playing in the park.

Solution: A gyerekek a parkban játszanak.

2. I see the cars on the street.

Solution: Látom az autókat az utcán.

3. The girls are reading books.

Solution: A lányok könyveket olvasnak.

Exercise 4: Create Sentences

Using the following nouns, create sentences in Hungarian.

1. kutya (dog)

Solution: A kutyák a kertben futnak. (The dogs are running in the garden.)

2. könyv (book)

Solution: A könyvek az asztalon vannak. (The books are on the table.)

3. város (city)

Solution: A városok szépek. (The cities are beautiful.)

Exercise 5: Match the Singular with the Plural

Match the singular nouns with their plural forms.

1. tanár -

2. gyümölcs -

3. szék -

4. ház -

5. fiú -

Answers:

1: tanárok

2: gyümölcsök

3: székek

4: házak

5: fiúk

Conclusion

By now, you should have a clearer understanding of how to form plurals in Hungarian. Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you use these plurals in conversation, the more natural they will become to you.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask. Keep practicing, and you'll be well on your way to mastering Hungarian!

Table of Contents - Hungarian Course - 0 to A1

Course Presentation

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

Other Lessons

◀️ Possessive Pronouns — Previous Lesson	Next Lesson — Common Hobbies ▶️

Contributors

Maintenance script

Create a new Lesson