HUNGARIAN VERB TENSES

Present (Definite)
Present (Indefinite)
Past (Definite & Indefinite)
Conditional (Definite & Indefinite)
Conditional Tense: Usage
Subjunctive/Imperative (Definite & Indefinite)
※ Subjunctive Tense: Usage – YOU ARE HERE
Imperative Tense: Usage

Many languages have a subjunctive tense, and it tends to be the one that most learners (including me) struggle with. This is because there are various uses for it, and it’s sometimes difficult to know how and when you should use it. I will do my best here to explain the function of the subjunctive in Hungarian and how to apply it correctly and naturally.

Be sure to read how to conjugate subjunctive/imperative first!

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Uses: Subordinate Clauses

This is perhaps the most common and also the most confusing usage, especially for learners whose language doesn’t have this tense. Essentially the subjunctive is used in these cases to express either possibilities, wishes, or purposes (but it is not neccesarily limited to that). I will go over each of these.

If you aren’t familiar with the term ‘subordinate clause‘, it’s basically the second part of a sentence that is dependant on/related to the first part. You’ll see subordinate clauses a lot with conjunctions (and, but…), and the clause itself will not make complete sense without the first part of the sentence to precede it.

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1. Expressing Wishes/Desires

You will often find verbs of will in the first clause such as akar (want), kér (ask), etc. You may also see verbs like mond (say) or enged (allow/let). Essentially verbs that can potentially express a desire or request.

-For the verbs akar/kér/szeret¹, the coverb can either be separated OR stay with the verb in these cases – both are correct.

¹NOTE: for “akar/kér/szeret“, there is an exception where you do NOT split the coverb. That is if you include “azt” in the preceding clause for emphasis. For example: “anyukám kérte azt, hogy kimenjünk a temetőbe” – this puts emphasis on the SUBJECT (the mother) rather than going to the cemetary (as in “my mother is the one who asked me to go”). If you are focusing on the ACTION (going to the cemetary), then it would be “anyukám kérte, hogy menjünk ki a temetőbe” and the coverb would split.

-For the verb enged, you do NOT separate the coverb.

Examples

Azt szeretném, hogy több barátom legyen (I would like to have more friends)
literally “I would like it, that I have more friends”

Anyukám (azt)¹ akarja, hogy járjak egyetemre (My mom wants me to go to university)
literally “my mom wants, that I go to university”

¹The “azt” here isn’t necessary, but I put it just to show why “akar” takes the definite conjugation (‘az’ is the object in this case)

Apám nem engedi, hogy menjek Budapestre (My dad won’t let me go to Budapest)
literally “my dad won’t allow, that I go to Budapest”

A barátom kért¹ (engem), hogy menjek el hozzá (My friend asked me to go to their place)
literally “my friend asked, that I go to them”

Anyukám azt mondta¹, hogy hívjam fel az orvost (My mom told me to call the doctor)
literally “my mom told (me), that I call the doctor”

¹These examples are technically considered “imperative” by native Hungarians, but I didn’t want to jumble my imperative post with these sorts of examples, so I am including them in the subjunctive post. Just know that with verbs like kér/mond (to ask or tell someone to do something), the subordinate clause still essentially acts as an imperative command.

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2. Expressing Purpose (I X, in order for Y)

The coverb will not split in these cases.

Amerikába mentem, hogy angolul tanuljak (I went to America (in order) to learn English)
literally “I went to America, (so) that I study/learn English”

Írok, hogy kifejezzem az érzéseimet (I write (in order) to express my feelings)
literally “I write, (so) that I express my feelings”

Bocsánatot kérek, hogy megbocsáss (engem) (I apologize so (that) you’ll forgive me)
literally “I apologize, (so) that you forgive (me)”

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3. Impersonal Clauses (it is X to do Y)

The coverb will always split in these cases.

Fontos, hogy időt töltsön a családdal (It is important to spend time with one’s family)
literally “(it is) important, that (one) spend time with the family”

Szükséges, hogy menjek a postára? (Do I need to go to the post office?)
literally “(is it) necessary, that I go to the post office?”

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4. To express lack of or absence

The coverb will not split in these cases.

Nincsenek barátaim, akikkel beszéljek (I have no friends to talk to)
literally “(there are) no friends, with whom I talk”

Nem volt lehetőségük¹, hogy egyetemre járjanak (It wasn’t possible for them to go to university)
literally “there was no possibility, that they go to university”

¹“Lehetőség” takes a possessive suffix here, as it is THEIR possibility/a possibility relating to THEM

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5. The verb “tud”² + subjunctive clause¹

¹The difference depends on whether you are expressing what is currently known, or what SHOULD BE known (in the latter case, it will be subjunctive; otherwise you use whatever other tense applies to the situation)

Tudod, hogy mit csinálj? (Do you know what you should do?)

vs

Tudod, hogy mit csinálsz? (Do you know what you ARE doing?)

²The same applies to mond and kérdez – they will be subjunctive if you are telling or asking about what SHOULD be

Coverbs will split in both cases.

Examples

Tudod, hová menj? (Do you know where you should go?)

Kérdezted, hová menj? (Did you ask where you should go?)

Mondták, hová menj? (Did they tell you where you should go?)

Tudom, mit csináljak (I know what I should do)

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Other Uses

6. “Let’s” Construction

The verbs in these cases will always take 1st person plural, as it is a suggestion for oneself as well as any current company. You could technically consider this another use of imperative, as that is how it is taught to native Hungarians, but for the purposes of this post I will include it with the subjunctive.

Coverbs will always split in these cases.

Menjünk Budapestre! (Let’s go to Budapest)

Vodkát igyunk! (Let’s drink vodka!)

Hallgassuk meg Antti Tuisku új számát (Let’s listen to Antti Tuisku’s new song)

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7.1 Questions

The first structure applies to first person (singular or plural), and essentially equates to a suggestion (“shall/should I/we X?“)

The coverbs can be split in these cases, but keeping them with the verb is also okay.

Hívjam fel az orvost? (Shall/should I call the doctor?)

You could also say “(Azt) akarja, hogy felhívjam az orvost?”, but the first option is a bit less of a mouthful.

Kezdjem el olvasni a sztorit? (Shall/should I begin to read the story?)

You could also just say “Olvassam a sztorit?” (shall/should I read the story?)

Vágjuk a sütit? (Shall/should we cut the cake?)

7.2 Questions

There is a different structure for indirect questions, i.e. questions someone else asks. An “-e” will be added to the end of the verb, essentially expressing “whether” (to do something or not) Note that these sentences will not always be subjunctive – only when asking whether something should be done or not.

Again, the coverb can either split OR stay with the verb.

Megkérdezték tőlem, hogy elmenjek-e a boltba (They asked me whether I want(ed) to go to the store)
literally “they asked from me, that whether I go to the store”

Megérdeklődte, hogy menjen-e Görögországba (Xe inquired whether xe should go to Greece)
literally “xe inquired, that whether xe goes to Greece”

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Notes

I doubt this is a completely comprehensive list, but if you have doubts or if something is confusing, don’t hesitate to comment or message me and I will do my best to clarify.