órakor
At a Clock Time
In Hungarian, to say 'at' a certain time, you add the suffix -kor to a number or use the phrase órakor (at ... o'clock). Unlike most Hungarian suffixes, -kor never changes its vowel to match the word it attaches to.
How It Works
The pattern órakor is essential for discussing schedules and routines. Here are the key rules:
- Asking the Time: To ask 'At what time?', use the phrase Hány órakor?.
- Exception to Vowel Lengthening: Unlike most suffixes, -kor does not trigger low-vowel lengthening. The final 'a' in óra stays short: it is órakor, never órákor.
- Invariant Suffix: Hungarian usually requires suffixes to match the vowels of the stem (see Vowel Harmony). However, -kor is invariant. It is always -kor, never -kér or -kőr.
- Short vs. Long Form: In casual speech, the word óra is often dropped. Hat órakor (formal) becomes hatkor (casual). Both mean 'at six'.
- The Number Two: When saying 'at two', use két órakor if including the word 'hour', but use kettőkor if attaching the suffix directly to the number.
- Upcoming Hour Fractions: Hungarian time-telling looks forward to the next hour. Fél nyolckor means 'at 7:30' (halfway to eight). Note: In everyday Hungarian, the word óra is left out with fractions like negyed or fél.
- Exceptions: While most times use -kor (e.g., éjfélkor - at midnight), the word for noon uses the inessive case: délben (at noon).
Examples (6)
- Hány órakor reggelizel?
At what time do you eat breakfast?
Word by Word: How-many hour-at you-breakfast?
To ask 'at what time', use the question word 'hány' (how many) followed by 'órakor'.
- Hét órakor reggelizem.
I eat breakfast at seven o'clock.
Word by Word: Seven hour-at I-breakfast.
This uses the full formal version 'órakor' attached to the number seven.
- Negyed nyolckor indulok.
I leave at quarter past seven.
Word by Word: Quarter eight-at I-depart.
Hungarian time looks forward. 'Negyed nyolc' means a quarter of the way to eight (7:15). In everyday speech, 'óra' is left out after 'negyed'.
- Fél kilenckor kezdődik a koncert.
The concert starts at half past eight.
Word by Word: Half nine-at starts the concert.
Hungarian time looks forward. 'Fél kilenc' means you are halfway to nine (8:30). In everyday speech, 'óra' is left out after 'fél'.
- Háromnegyed tízkor találkozunk.
We meet at quarter to ten.
Word by Word: Three-quarters ten-at we-meet.
Hungarian time looks forward. 'Háromnegyed tíz' means three-quarters of the way to ten (9:45). In everyday speech, 'óra' is left out after 'háromnegyed'.
- Mikor jössz haza? Kettőkor.
When are you coming home? At two.
Word by Word: When you-come home? Two-at.
When using the number two without 'óra', the full form 'kettő' must be used before adding '-kor'.
Common Mistakes
Adding 'óra' after fél, negyed or háromnegyed in everyday speech.
Fél nyolc órakor találkozunk.Fél nyolckor találkozunk.With fractional time expressions (fél, negyed, háromnegyed), everyday Hungarian leaves out the word 'óra' and attaches '-kor' directly: 'fél nyolckor'. 'Fél nyolc órakor' is possible in formal notices but sounds heavy.
Using 'negyed hét' for 7:15.
Different MeaningNegyed hétkor találkozunk.Negyed nyolckor találkozunk.Hungarian time looks forward to the next hour. 'Negyed nyolc' is a quarter into the eighth hour, which is 7:15. 'Negyed hét' is a good time expression, but it means 6:15.
Using 'kétkor' instead of 'kettőkor'.
Kétkor jövök.Kettőkor jövök.While 'két' is used as an adjective before a noun (két óra), 'kettő' must be used when the number stands alone with a suffix.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To express 'at' a specific clock time, you need to understand how the temporal suffix -kor functions as a marker for time. Since -kor is one of the few suffixes in Hungarian that does not adapt to vowel harmony, a basic understanding of the vowel system helps in identifying it as an invariant suffix attached to the word for hour (óra).
Related Patterns
- Vowel Harmony
-kor is a rare exception to the standard vowel harmony rules that govern almost all other Hungarian suffixes.
Level 1 - -igUntil / as Far as
While -kor marks a point in time ('at'), -ig marks the end point of a duration ('until').
Level 1 - mikorWhen
The question word 'mikor' (when) is the natural way to ask for a time that would be answered using -kor.
Level 1 - Numbers with Singular Nouns
Understanding how numbers function with nouns is helpful when using the 'óra' (hour) construction.
Level 1 - előtt / utánBefore and After
These are used to say 'before' or 'after' a specific time (e.g., hat óra után - after 6 o'clock).
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice órakor in Bubblegum
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