Definite Names and Pronouns

Level 2

In Hungarian, verbs use the definite conjugation for specific objects like proper names (Péter) and third-person personal or demonstrative pronouns (őt, azt). While simple indefinite pronouns (valamit) trigger the indefinite conjugation, specific ones like 'each other' (egymást) or 'each one' (mindegyiket) are definite.

How It Works

Hungarian verbs have two sets of endings: indefinite and definite. While specific objects usually trigger the definite form, there are important rules for pronouns.

1. Proper Names
Names of people and places are inherently specific. Use definite endings even without an article. Note that in spoken Hungarian, it is very common to use an article with names (e.g., a Kati), but the verb remains definite regardless.
Example: Ismerem (a) Katit. (I know Kati.)

2. Third-Person Personal and Demonstrative Pronouns
The pronouns őt (him/her), őket (them), azt (that), and ezeket (these) always trigger the definite conjugation.

3. Reciprocal, Universal, and Reflexive Pronouns
The reciprocal pronoun egymást (each other), the universal pronoun mindegyiket (each one), and reflexive pronouns (like magamat, magát) are always treated as definite objects. However, note that mindent (everything) and mindenkit (everyone) trigger the indefinite conjugation.
Example: Ismerik egymást. (They know each other.)

4. The 1st and 2nd Person Exception
Surprisingly, personal pronouns for 'me' (engem), 'us' (minket/bennünket), and 'you' (téged, titeket) trigger the indefinite conjugation.
Example: Szeretsz engem? (Do you love me?)
However, when the subject is 'I' and the object is the informal 'you' (singular or plural), Hungarian uses a special -lak/-lek ending. (Note that the formal 'you' requires the standard 1st-person definite conjugation).
Example: Szeretlek (téged). (I love you.)

5. Indefinite, Interrogative, and Relative Pronouns
Simple indefinite pronouns like valamit (something) or semmit (nothing) take the indefinite conjugation. For questions, mit? (what?) and kit? (who?) take the indefinite, while melyiket? (which one?) takes the definite. Relative pronouns like akit (who) and amit (which/what) also trigger the indefinite conjugation, while amelyiket triggers the definite.

6. Formal Address
The formal you (Önt, Magát, and their plurals Önöket, Magukat) is treated as a third-person pronoun and requires the definite conjugation.

7. Possessive Pronouns
Independent possessive pronouns (such as az enyémet 'mine', a tiédet 'yours', az övét 'his/hers', az övékét 'theirs') refer to specific possessed items and therefore always trigger the definite conjugation.

Examples (6)

  1. Ismerem Katit.

    I know Kati.

    Word by Word: I-know-it Kati-(accusative).

    The verb 'ismer' takes the definite ending '-em' because 'Kati' is a proper name.

  2. Szereti Budapestet.

    He/she likes Budapest.

    Word by Word: He/she-likes-it Budapest-(accusative).

    City names are proper names and trigger the definite conjugation.

  3. Látom őt.

    I see him/her.

    Word by Word: I-see-it him/her-(accusative).

    The third-person pronoun 'őt' is inherently definite.

  4. Szeretik egymást.

    They love each other.

    Word by Word: They-love-it each-other-(accusative).

    The reciprocal pronoun 'egymást' always triggers the definite conjugation.

  5. Kérem mindegyiket.

    I want each one.

    Word by Word: I-ask-it each-one-(accusative).

    The universal pronoun 'mindegyiket' refers to specific items and requires the definite conjugation.

  6. Értem Önöket.

    I understand you (formal plural).

    Word by Word: I-understand-it You-(formal-plural-accusative).

    Formal pronouns like 'Ön' are grammatically 3rd person and definite.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indefinite conjugation with a proper name.

    Ismerek Pétert.
    Ismerem Pétert.

    Even though 'Péter' doesn't have an article like 'a' or 'az', it is a specific person and requires the definite conjugation.

  • Using the definite conjugation for 'me' or 'you' (informal).

    Látom téged.
    Látlak téged.

    Only third-person pronouns (him/her/it/them) trigger the definite conjugation. First and second person pronouns (me/you) trigger the indefinite or the special -lak/-lek form.

How It Connects

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Definite Names and PronounsLevel 2

Learn This First

To understand why proper names and third-person pronouns trigger the definite conjugation, a learner must already be familiar with the definite conjugation system itself and how to mark objects using the accusative case. Knowledge of accusative pronouns is also essential as they are a primary focus of this rule.