Language/Hungarian/Grammar/Common-Prepositions
As a Hungarian language teacher with 20 years of experience, I understand how tricky prepositions can be for non-native speakers. Prepositions are among the toughest parts of speech to master, especially when it comes to usage and application. In this lesson, we will focus on some of the most common Hungarian prepositions used in everyday conversation. We'll also practice using these prepositions in sentences and conversations, and I'll share some interesting cultural information along the way.
What are prepositions in Hungarian?
Prepositions in Hungarian are called "határozószók" or "elöljárószók." They are always followed by a noun or pronoun, indicating the relationship between the two terms. Prepositions can show movement, direction, location, possession, and relationships in time and space. In Hungarian, prepositions are placed ahead of the noun or pronoun they modify.
Common Hungarian prepositions
In this section, I will introduce you to some of the most common Hungarian prepositions, along with their meanings and usage.
"In" prepositions
The following Hungarian prepositions refer to inside places and spaces.
| Hungarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| belül | beh-lyool | inside |
| benn | ben | in |
| között | koe-zoet | between, among |
| körül | ker-ool | around |
| mellett | mel-let | beside, next to |
| alatt | a-lat | under |
| felett | fe-lat | above |
| mögött | meh-geht | behind |
Examples:
- "A kutya az asztal alatt van." (The dog is under the table.)
- "A könyv a táskámban van." (The book is in my bag.)
- "Az iskola a park és a piac között van." (The school is between the park and the market.)
"On" prepositions
The following Hungarian prepositions refer to surface or placement on a specific object.
| Hungarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| rajta | rye-ta | on (it) |
| rajt | rye-t | on (it) |
| rajtok | rye-tok | on (you all) |
| rajtam | rye-tam | on (me) |
| rajtunk | rye-tunk | on (us) |
| asztalon | ash-ta-lon | on the table |
| papíron | pa-pi-ron | on the paper |
Examples:
- "A toll az asztalon van." (The pen is on the table.)
- "A cipőm rajtam van." (I'm wearing my shoes.)
- "Az adóbevallás a papíron van." (The tax return is on the paper.)
"At" prepositions
The following Hungarian prepositions refer to location or position in a specific place.
| Hungarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| nál | naal | at someone's place (singular) |
| nálam | naa-lam | at my place |
| nálad | naa-lad | at your place |
| nálunk | naa-lunk | at our place |
| nálatok | naa-la-tok | at your place (plural) |
| náluk | naa-luk | at their place |
| evvel, ezzel | ev-vel, e-zzel | with this |
| azzal | a-zzal | with that |
| ennél | enn-el | with this (food) |
| annál | an-nal | with that (food) |
Examples:
- "Vacsoránál" (At dinner)
- "Még mindig nálam van a kulcsod." (Your key is still at my place.)
- "A vár a folyó mellett van." (The castle is next to the river.)
"To" and "from" prepositions
The following Hungarian prepositions refer to movement to or from a specific destination.
| Hungarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| -ba, -be | ba, be | to (inside) |
| -ról,-ről | rol, roel | from (off of) |
| -hoz, -hez, -höz | hoaz, heaz, hyoez | to (next to) |
| -tól,-től | toll, toel | from (away from) |
| előtt | e-loet | in front of |
| mögött | meh-geht | behind |
| között | koe-zoet | between |
Examples:
- "A kutyám a parkba megy." (My dog is going to the park.)
- "A boltból jövök." (I'm coming from the shop.)
- "Az autóim az iskola előtt parkolnak." (My cars are parked in front of the school.)
Practice with common prepositions
Let's practice using these prepositions in some sample sentences and dialogues.
Sample dialogue 1
Gábor: "Hol van a repülőtér?" (Where is the airport?) Anna: "A város közepén van." (It's in the middle of the city.)
Gábor: "Az utcán van?" (Is it on the street?) Anna: "Nem, az utcán kívül van." (No, it's outside the street.)
Sample dialogue 2
Péter: "Szeretnél inni valamit?" (Would you like to drink something?) Klára: "Igen, kérek egy kávét az asztalra kérlek." (Yes, I'd like a coffee, please put it onto the table.)
Péter: "Hova mész ma délután?" (Where are you going this afternoon?) Klára: "Hozzád megyek, hogy visszaaddam a könyveket." (I'm going to your place to give back the books.)
Sample dialogue 3
Ferenc: "Hol található a múzeum?" (Where is the museum?) András: "Az állomás mellett van." (It's next to the station.)
Ferenc: "Néhány műalkotás a padon van." (Some artwork is on the bench.) András: "Nem, a műalkotások a falon vannak." (No, the artwork is on the wall.)
Conclusion
In conclusion, mastering prepositions in Hungarian takes time and practice. In this lesson, we've covered some of the most common prepositions along with their meanings and usage in everyday conversation. I hope this helps you feel more comfortable using prepositions in Hungarian! Remember to practice as much as possible, and don't be afraid to ask for help when needed. With time, patience, and practice, you'll soon be using prepositions like a native speaker!
Related Lessons
- Personal Pronouns
- Possessed object
- Conditional Mood
- Definite and indefinite articles
- Give your Opinion
- Present Tense Verb Conjugation
- Conditional and subjunctive moods
- How to form the feminine
- Plural
- Cardinal Numbers