Attributive Adjectives

Level 1

In Hungarian, when an adjective describes a noun and sits right before it, it is invariant. It stays in its dictionary form even if the noun is plural or has a case ending.

How It Works

The attributive adjective (minőségjelző) is one of the most learner-friendly parts of Hungarian grammar.

Key rules to remember:

  • Placement: The adjective precedes the noun it modifies. Note that adverbs of degree (like nagyon - very) or other adjectives can stand between them.
  • Invariance: The adjective does not take the plural suffix -k or any case suffixes. This remains true even if you use multiple adjectives (e.g., a nagy, piros alma).
  • Dictionary Form: Most adjectives use their base form (e.g., piros, nagy, szép). A notable exception is kicsi (small), which usually becomes kis when used before a noun.
  • Substantive Use: Apart from the predicate use described below, an adjective takes suffixes only if the noun it modifies is omitted (e.g., Kérem a pirosat - I want the red one).

This rule applies to all registers of the language. However, be careful: if the adjective is used as a predicate (e.g., 'The houses are big'), it must agree with the noun in number only (singular or plural). Predicate adjectives usually stay in the nominative case; they take a case suffix only in special constructions (for example pirossá vált, 'turned red').

Examples (4)

  1. A régi könyveket olvasom.

    I am reading the old books.

    Word by Word: The old books (accusative) I-read.

    Even though 'könyveket' is plural and accusative, the adjective 'régi' remains in its base form.

  2. Két szép macskát láttam.

    I saw two beautiful cats.

    Word by Word: Two beautiful cat (accusative) I-saw.

    'Szép' does not change, even though we are talking about multiple cats in the accusative case.

  3. Ebben a nagy házban lakunk.

    We live in this big house.

    Word by Word: In-this the big house-in we-live.

    The noun 'ház' takes the inessive suffix -ban, but the adjective 'nagy' stays as is.

  4. Piros almát kérek.

    I would like a red apple.

    Word by Word: Red apple (accusative) I-ask-for.

    'Piros' is the base form, modifying the accusative noun 'almát'.

Common Mistakes

  • Pluralizing the adjective to match a plural noun.

    szépek virágok
    szép virágok

    Learners often try to add the plural -k to the adjective. In Hungarian, only the noun (or the final element of the phrase) shows plurality.

  • Applying case endings to the adjective.

    pirosat almát kérek
    piros almát kérek

    You should not add the accusative -t to the adjective if the noun is present. The adjective only takes the case ending if the noun is omitted (substantivized).

  • Using 'kis' as a predicate.

    A ház kis.
    A ház kicsi.

    'Kis' is a special form of 'small' that can ONLY be used before a noun. If you want to say 'The house is small,' you must use 'kicsi'.

How It Connects

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Attributive AdjectivesLevel 1

Learn This First

To understand how attributive adjectives work in Hungarian, you need to know that while nouns change their form for number (plural) and case (like the accusative), adjectives placed before the noun remain in their base form and do not agree with the noun they modify.

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