de / azonban / viszont

Contrast Connectors

Level 3

Hungarian has three main ways to say 'but' or 'however': de (neutral/common), viszont (stronger/reciprocal), and azonban (formal/academic).

How It Works

In Hungarian, choosing the right contrast connector depends on the context and the 'weight' of the opposition:

1. de (but): The most versatile and frequent connector. It is used in both speech and writing to show a simple contradiction or unexpected result. It almost always appears at the very beginning of the second clause.

2. viszont (however / on the other hand): Used when comparing two different subjects or situations (reciprocal contrast). For example: 'I like apples, but he, in turn, likes pears.' It is very common in spoken Hungarian. Unlike de, it often follows the first stressed word of the clause (the topic).

3. azonban (however / nevertheless): This is the formal counterpart to de. It is rarely used in casual conversation and is mostly found in literature, news, or academic writing. Like viszont, it is flexible in its position.

Important Note: In Hungarian, a comma is mandatory before the second clause, regardless of which connector you use.

Examples (5)

  1. Szeretnék menni, de nincs időm.

    I would like to go, but I don't have time.

    Word by Word: I-would-like to-go, but there-is-not my-time.

    A neutral contrast using 'de' at the start of the second clause.

  2. Én kávét kérek, a barátom viszont teát.

    I'll have coffee; my friend, on the other hand, [will have] tea.

    Word by Word: I coffee-ACC I-ask, the my-friend however tea-ACC.

    Here 'viszont' shows a reciprocal contrast between two people and follows the subject 'a barátom'.

  3. A terv jó volt, a megvalósítás azonban nehéz.

    The plan was good; the implementation, however, [was] difficult.

    Word by Word: The plan good was, the implementation however difficult.

    A formal sentence using 'azonban' in the post-posed position.

  4. Viszont kívánom!

    I wish you the same!

    Word by Word: In-turn I-wish-it!

    An idiomatic use of 'viszont' meaning 'likewise' or 'in return' when responding to a greeting or wish.

  5. Nem esik az eső, de hideg van.

    It's not raining, but it is cold.

    Word by Word: Not falls the rain, but cold is.

    A simple contrast between two states using 'de'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'de' instead of 'hanem' for corrections.

    Nem kávét kérek, de teát.
    Nem kávét kérek, hanem teát.

    When you negate one thing to replace it with another ('Not X, but rather Y'), you must use hanem instead of 'de'.

  • Using 'de viszont' together in formal writing.

    Szeretem a telet, de viszont fázom.
    Szeretem a telet, viszont fázom.

    While common in casual speech, 'de viszont' is redundant (like saying 'but however'). Use one or the other in formal contexts.

  • Omitting the comma before the connector.

    Mennék de nem tudok.
    Mennék, de nem tudok.

    Hungarian puts a comma before contrast conjunctions such as 'de', 'hanem' and 'ám': 'Mennék, de nem tudok.'

How It Connects

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de / azonban / viszontLevel 3Contrast Connectors

Learn This First

To become confident with these contrast connectors, learners must first understand basic Hungarian sentence structure, specifically how topics and focus are used to highlight differences. Familiarity with simpler contrastive words like 'pedig' and the 'nem... hanem' construction provides the necessary foundation for understanding the varying strengths and positions of 'de', 'azonban', and 'viszont'.

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Words in This Pattern

deazonbanviszont