Better Hungarian

Hungarian has two types of verbs: Definite and Indefinite. This is probably one of the most difficult parts of the language for non-natives to grasp (unless your language does something similar). Don’t worry if you make mistakes here, because you will be understood regardless. Since I myself found this particular thing difficult at the beginning, I will try to make the explanation here as simple and easy to understand as I possibly can.

Keep in mind that these aren’t extremely rigid categories, and while there are some clear-cut rules for when to use which, others are a bit more nuanced. It’s one of those things that will become more natural to you as you learn, and can pick up on these nuances as you go. I will be going over the most basic and solid rules so that you at least have a starting point.

This post will cover an overview of the Definite vs Indefinite conjugation and how they are different.

To see an in-depth post about Definite verbs, go here.
To see an in-depth post about Indefinite verbs, go here.

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DEFINITE VS INDEFINITE ARTICLES

In English, “the” is a definite article. It refers to a specific, rather than general, item. If you say “I see the tree”, then you are speaking of a specific tree that is known to both you and the person you are speaking to.

Person A: Look over there! Do you see the tree with the broken branch?
Person B: Yes, I do. I see the tree (with the broken branch).

※ “this/these” and “that/those” are also definite articles.

“A” is an indefinite article in English. It refers to a general, rather than specific, item. If you say “I see a tree”, then you could be speaking of any number of trees that are visible to you.

Person A: It’s really foggy outside. Do you see anything?
Person B: Yeah, I see a tree.

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In Hungarian, it works the same. “A/az” (the) is a definite article, and “egy” (a) is an indefinite article.

Definite: a/az

Person A: Nézz oda! Látod a törött ágú fát?
Person B: Igen, látom. Látom a (törött ágú) fát.

※ “ez/ezek” and “az/azok” are also definite articles.

Indefinite: egy

Person A: Kint nagyon sötét van. Látsz valamit?
Person B: Igen, látok egy fát.

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MORE EXAMPLES

Látom a lányt (I see the girl) – definite
Látok egy lányt (I see a girl) – indefinite

Nézem a filmet (I watch the film) – definite
Nézek egy filmet (I watch a film) – indefinite

Írom a levelet (I write the letter) – definite
Írok egy levelet (I write a letter) – indefinite

Lányokat látok (I see girls) – indefinite
Látom azt a lányt (I see that girl) – definite

Kutyákat látok (I see dogs) – indefinite
Látom ezt a kutyát (I see this dog) – definite

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INTRANSITIVE VERBS AND NO DEFINITE CONJUGATION

Intransitive verbs are action verbs that express a doable activity. They do not have a direct object receiving the action.

I eat in the morning – no direct object, intransitive

I eat pancakes in the morning – direct object (pancakes), transitive

In Hungarian, verbs used in the intransitive sense will always be indefinite. Verbs can be both intransitive or transitive, depending on the usage. Some verbs are more frequently used in a transitive sense, and others more often in intransitive. Pay attention to whether there is a direct object or not and this will help you determine if the verb is intransitive, and therefore, whether it should be indefinite or definite.

I turn the doorknob (fordítom a gömbkilincset) – fordít is a transitive verb in this case, with a direct object (doorknob)

I turn in the chair (fordulok a székben) – fordul is an intransitive verb in this case, with no direct object

You will find that many Hungarian verbs have two different words for the intransitive and transitive version, like the above.

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PRONOUNS AND DEFINITE VS INDEFINITE CONJUGATION

When it comes to pronouns, it can be tricky to determine whether the verb should be definite or indefinite. Here’s a handy chart to help make it a bit simpler! (hopefully)