-ható/-hető

Able to Be Done

Level 4

The suffix -ható/-hető creates adjectives from verbs to express possibility or ability. It is the equivalent of the English suffixes -able or -ible (e.g., ehető = edible, látható = visible).

How It Works

The -ható/-hető suffix is a highly productive way to form 'potential adjectives.'

1. Formation:
The suffix attaches to the verb stem. You must choose the form based on vowel harmony:

  • -ható: For back-vowel verbs (e.g., vár → várható 'expected/waitable').
  • -hető: For front-vowel verbs (e.g., ért → érthető 'understandable').

2. Stem Changes:
If a verb has a special stem for the potential suffix -hat/-het, it uses that same stem here. For example, eszik (to eat) becomes ehető (edible), and iszik (to drink) becomes iható (potable/drinkable).

3. The Negative Counterpart: -hatatlan/-hetetlen
To express that something 'cannot be done' (un-X-able), Hungarian uses the suffix -hatatlan/-hetetlen. This is often stronger than simply using nem + the positive adjective.

  • Ez a víz ihatatlan. (This water is undrinkable.)
  • Láthatatlan ember. (Invisible man.)

4. Usage and Meaning:
Unlike the potential verb form which describes an action someone can do, this adjective describes an inherent quality of an object. It often has a passive nuance.

  • Ez a hiba javítható. (This error is fixable.)
  • Egy érthető magyarázat. (An understandable explanation.)

5. Potential vs. Necessity:
Do not confuse this with the future participle -andó/-endő. While olvasható means 'readable' (can be read), olvasandó means 'to be read' (must be read/assigned reading).

6. Transitive vs. Intransitive:
It can also be used with intransitive verbs to describe a state, such as élhető város (a livable city) or járható út (a passable road).

Examples (5)

  1. Ez a gomba nem ehető.

    This mushroom is not edible.

    Word by Word: This the mushroom not eatable.

    Here, the verb 'eszik' (to eat) takes the suffix '-hető' to describe the mushroom's quality.

  2. A tábla messziről is jól látható.

    The sign is clearly visible even from a distance.

    Word by Word: The sign from-far also well seeable.

    The verb 'lát' (to see) becomes the adjective 'látható' (visible).

  3. Ez egy érthető kifogás.

    This is an understandable excuse.

    Word by Word: This a understand-able excuse.

    The verb 'ért' (to understand) uses the front-vowel suffix '-hető'.

  4. A válasz a honlapon található.

    The answer can be found on the website.

    Word by Word: The answer the website-on find-able.

    'Található' is often used to mean 'is located' or 'can be found'.

  5. Mindenki számára elérhető áron adják.

    They are selling it at a price accessible to everyone.

    Word by Word: Everyone for-them reach-able price-on they-give-it.

    'Elérhető' comes from 'elér' (to reach/achieve) and means accessible or available.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the copula 'van' in the third-person present tense with these adjectives.

    A könyv olvasható van.
    A könyv olvasható.

    Hungarian uses a zero copula in the third-person singular present tense. You should not use 'van' when stating that something 'is' readable or visible; the adjective alone is sufficient.

  • Confusing the agent participle (-ó/-ő) with the potential adjective.

    Az olvasó könyv.
    Az olvasható könyv.

    The present participle 'olvasó' means 'the one who is reading' (active), whereas the potential adjective 'olvasható' means 'that which can be read' (a quality of the object).

  • Ignoring vowel harmony when attaching the suffix.

    kérható
    kérhető

    According to vowel harmony, since 'kér' (to ask) contains a front vowel, it must take the front-vowel suffix variant '-hető'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-ható/-hetőLevel 4Able to Be Done

Learn This First

To understand the 'ability adjective' (-ható/-hető), you need to be familiar with the potential suffix -hat/-het, which expresses possibility or permission, and the present participle -ó/-ő, which turns verbs into adjectives. Together, they create adjectives that describe a quality of being 'able to be' acted upon (e.g., 'olvasható' - readable).

Words in This Pattern

-ható-hető