-hat/-het

Can / May Suffix

Level 3

The suffix -hat/-het is the Hungarian equivalent of 'can' or 'may'. It is added directly to the verb stem to indicate that an action is possible, allowed, or feasible given the circumstances.

How It Works

The potential suffix is a derivational tool, meaning it creates a new verb stem that must then be conjugated for person, tense, and definiteness.

1. Vowel Harmony:
It follows vowel harmony rules. Note that this is a two-way suffix; front-rounded verbs (containing ö, ő, ü, ű) use the -het variant as there is no third form:

  • -hat for back-vowel verbs (e.g., vár → várhat - he/she can wait)
  • -het for front-vowel verbs (e.g., kér → kérhet - he/she can ask; ül → ülhet - he/she can sit)

2. Stem Changes and -ik Verbs:

  • -ik Verbs: Verbs ending in -ik (see -ik verbs) drop the -ik ending before adding the potential suffix (e.g., dolgozik → dolgozhat, alszik → alhat).
  • Irregular Stems: Certain verbs use their short or special stems (see irregular verb stems): eszik → ehet, iszik → ihat, tesz → tehet, vesz → vehet.
  • The verb 'to be' (van) becomes lehet (it is possible / it can be).
  • Movement verbs: megy → mehet, jön → jöhet.

3. Usage Nuances:

  • Permission: Bemehetek? (May I go in?)
  • Possibility: Holnap eshet az eső. (It might rain tomorrow.)
  • Circumstantial Ability: Láthatod a hegyet. (You can see the mountain [because the sky is clear]).

4. Suffix Order:
The potential suffix always comes before tense or mood markers. For example, in olvashatnám (I could read it), the order is: stem (olvas) + potential (hat) + conditional (ná) + personal ending (m).

Examples (5)

  1. Itt nem dohányozhatsz.

    You may not smoke here.

    Word by Word: Here not smoke-can-you.

    This demonstrates the use of the suffix for prohibition/permission.

  2. Holnap találkozhatunk a parkban.

    We can meet in the park tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Tomorrow meet-can-we the park-in.

    This shows possibility or a suggestion for a future arrangement.

  3. Ezt a könyvet már megveheted.

    You can buy this book now.

    Word by Word: This-acc the book-acc already perf-buy-can-you.

    Note that the verb still takes the definite conjugation (-ed) because 'the book' is a definite object.

  4. Lehet, hogy későn érkezem.

    It is possible that I will arrive late.

    Word by Word: Possible, that late arrive-I.

    The potential form of 'van' (lehet) is often used as a standalone word meaning 'maybe' or 'it is possible'.

  5. Bemehetek egy pillanatra?

    May I go in for a moment?

    Word by Word: Into-go-can-I a moment-onto?

    A common way to ask for permission using the irregular stem of 'megy' (go).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'tud' to ask for permission.

    Different MeaningTudok bemenni?
    Bemehetek?

    'Tudok bemenni?' is correct, but it asks whether you are able to get in. For permission or situational possibility, use the -hat/-het suffix.

  • Forgetting to conjugate the verb after adding the suffix.

    Én olvas-hat.
    Olvashatok.

    The potential suffix creates a new stem, but you still need to add the personal endings to indicate who is doing the action.

  • Ignoring vowel harmony.

    Kérhatok vizet?
    Kérhetek vizet?

    'Kér' is a front-vowel verb, so it requires the front-vowel version of the suffix (-het).

How It Connects

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-hat/-hetLevel 3Can / May Suffix

Learn This First

To use the potential suffix -hat/-het, you must first understand Hungarian's two-way vowel harmony to choose the correct form. Since this suffix is added to a verb stem and then followed by standard conjugation endings, you need a solid grasp of present-tense indefinite and definite conjugations. Finally, because adding this suffix often changes the emphasis or structure of a sentence, understanding how verbal prefixes separate is crucial for natural usage.

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-hat-het