tud + Infinitive

Can / Know How to

Level 1

The Hungarian verb tud (to know) combined with an infinitive (-ni) is the standard way to say you 'can' or 'know how to' do something. It focuses on your internal ability or a skill you have learned.

How It Works

To use this pattern, you conjugate the verb tud to match the subject and then add the infinitive form of the action verb. This construction covers both 'knowing how' (a learned skill) and 'being able to' (circumstantial possibility).

1. Conjugation Matters:
Because tud is a back-vowel verb, it takes back-vowel endings. Crucially, it must follow either indefinite or definite conjugation rules based on the object of the infinitive. For example:

  • Tudok úszni. (I can swim - no object, indefinite).
  • Meg tudom mondani a választ. (I can say the answer - 'the answer' is definite).

2. Word Order and Prefixes:
In a neutral positive sentence, if the infinitive has a verbal prefix (like meg-, el-, ki-), the prefix moves to the position immediately before tud.

  • Meg tudom csinálni. (I can do it.)

3. Negation and Prefixes:
When you use nem to negate the sentence, the verbal prefix does not split from the infinitive. It remains attached to the front of the infinitive, and nem comes before tud.

  • Nem tudom megcsinálni. (I cannot do it.)

4. Ability vs. Permission:
Be careful not to use tud for permission. If you are asking if you are allowed to do something, you should use the potential suffix -hat/-het instead.

Examples (6)

  1. Tudok magyarul beszélni.

    I can speak Hungarian.

    Word by Word: I-know in-Hungarian to-speak.

    This shows a learned skill. 'Tudok' is in the indefinite form because there is no definite object.

  2. Meg tudom mondani a választ.

    I can tell you the answer.

    Word by Word: PERF know-I to-say the answer-ACC.

    Here, 'tudom' is in the definite conjugation because 'a választ' (the answer) is a definite object. Notice the prefix 'meg-' moves to the position before 'tudom'.

  3. Nem tudok aludni.

    I cannot sleep.

    Word by Word: Not I-know to-sleep.

    This expresses a physical inability or state rather than a learned skill.

  4. Ki tudod nyitni az ablakot?

    Can you open the window?

    Word by Word: Out know-you to-open the window-ACC?

    In a neutral question, the verbal prefix 'ki-' moves to the position before 'tudod'.

  5. Nem tudom kinyitni az ablakot.

    I cannot open the window.

    Word by Word: Not know-I to-out-open the window-ACC.

    When negated with 'nem', the verbal prefix 'ki-' does not split; it stays attached to the infinitive.

  6. Péter nem tud úszni.

    Péter doesn't know how to swim.

    Word by Word: Péter not knows to-swim.

    A simple statement of lack of skill using the third-person singular form of 'tud'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'tud' to mean 'to know a person'.

    Tudom őt.
    Ismerem őt.

    In Hungarian, 'tud' is for facts and skills. For familiarity with people or places, you must use 'ismer'.

  • Keeping the verbal prefix attached to the infinitive in neutral sentences.

    Tudom megcsinálni.
    Meg tudom csinálni.

    When 'tud' acts as an auxiliary verb in a neutral sentence, the verbal prefix (like 'meg-') must detach from the infinitive and move to the position immediately before 'tud'.

  • Using 'tud' for permission.

    Different MeaningTudok bemenni?
    Bemehetek?

    'Tudok bemenni' asks if you have the physical ability to enter (e.g., you aren't stuck). 'Bemehetek' asks for permission to enter.

How It Connects

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tud + InfinitiveLevel 1Can / Know How to

Learn This First

To use 'tud' with an infinitive, you must first understand how to form the infinitive using the -ni suffix and how to conjugate the auxiliary verb 'tud' in the present tense. Since these processes rely on Hungarian's vowel harmony system, a basic understanding of back and front vowels is also essential.

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Words in This Pattern

tud