Case Agreement on Demonstratives
In Hungarian, demonstratives like ez (this) and az (that) act like mirrors: whatever suffix you put on the noun, you must also put on the demonstrative. You also need a definite article (a/az) in between.
How It Works
Unlike English, where we say 'in this house' (only the preposition changes), Hungarian requires the demonstrative to agree with the noun's case or postposition.
1. The Structure
You cannot simply say ez a házban. You must apply the inessive suffix (-ban) to both the noun and the demonstrative: ebben a házban. Note that the definite article (a/az) is mandatory between the demonstrative and the noun.
2. Consonant Assimilation
When a suffix starting with a consonant is added to ez or az, the final -z usually disappears and the suffix's first consonant is doubled:
- ez + -ben → ebben
- az + -ra → arra
- ez + -nél → ennél
Exception: The accusative suffix (-t) does not cause doubling. The forms are simply ezt and azt.
3. Vowel-Initial Suffixes
If the suffix starts with a vowel, the -z remains unchanged:
- ez + -ért → ezért
- az + -on → azon
Note: The words eddig and addig (until this/that) are irregular exceptions where the -z assimilates to a 'd'.
4. The -val/-vel Exception
With the instrumental suffix, the pattern is reversed: instead of the demonstrative changing, the 'v' of the suffix assimilates to the 'z' of the demonstrative: ezzel and azzal.
5. Postpositions
When using postpositions, the demonstrative does not take a case suffix, but it must repeat the postposition: ez után a ház után (after this house). You cannot say ez a ház után.
6. Plurals
For plural nouns, the demonstratives ezek (these) and azok (those) take the suffix normally without assimilation because the 'z' is no longer at the end: ezekben a házakban.
Examples (6)
- Ebben a házban lakom.
I live in this house.
Word by Word: In-this the house-in I-live.
The suffix -ban (in) is added to both 'ez' (becoming ebben) and 'ház'.
- Ezt a könyvet olvasom.
I am reading this book.
Word by Word: This-ACC the book-ACC I-read.
The accusative suffix -t is an exception: it does not cause assimilation, so 'ez' simply becomes 'ezt'.
- Az előtt a ház előtt várok.
I am waiting in front of that house.
Word by Word: That before the house before I-wait.
When using postpositions, the postposition must be repeated after both the demonstrative and the noun.
- Azzal a busszal megyünk.
We are going with that bus.
Word by Word: With-that the bus-with we-go.
The suffix -val (with) is added to 'az' (becoming azzal) and 'busz'.
- Erről a könyvről beszélünk.
We are talking about this book.
Word by Word: About-this the book-about we-talk.
The suffix -ról (about) causes the 'z' in 'ez' to become 'r', resulting in 'erről'.
- Ezen az asztalon van a kulcs.
The key is on this table.
Word by Word: On-this the table-on is the key.
Since -on starts with a vowel, no assimilation occurs; 'ez' simply becomes 'ezen'.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting to repeat the postposition after the demonstrative.
Ez a ház után megyek.Ez után a ház után megyek.Unlike English, you cannot just say 'this house after'. You must repeat the postposition: 'this after the house after'.
Applying assimilation to the accusative suffix -t.
Ett a könyvet kérem.Ezt a könyvet kérem.The accusative suffix -t is a special case. The 'z' does not change; it simply becomes 'ezt' or 'azt'.
Omitting the definite article 'a/az'.
Ebben házban élek.Ebben a házban élek.When 'ez' or 'az' modifies a noun, the definite article is mandatory between the demonstrative and the noun.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand case agreement on demonstratives, you must first know the basic demonstrative pronouns 'ez' and 'az'. Additionally, since these pronouns take case suffixes that follow vowel harmony rules, a foundational understanding of suffix harmony is necessary.
Related Patterns
- a/azDefinite Articles
The definite article is required between the inflected demonstrative and the noun.
Level 1 - -ban/-benInside / in
One of the most common case suffixes used with demonstrative agreement.
Level 1 - -val/-velWith / by Means of
This suffix has a unique assimilation pattern (ezzel/azzal) compared to other consonant suffixes.
Level 1 - Full Assimilation
The phonological process that governs how the 'z' changes to match the suffix's consonant.
Level 4
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Practice Case Agreement on Demonstratives in Bubblegum
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