minden / mindegyik

Every and Each

Level 3

Hungarian uses minden for distributive 'every' and mind for collective 'all'. While minden and mindegyik typically take a singular noun and verb, mind often triggers plural agreement when referring to a group.

How It Works

In Hungarian, universal quantifiers have specific rules for number and conjugation:

  • Minden (Every / Everything): Distributive. Used as a determiner with a singular noun or as a standalone pronoun ('everything'). It triggers the indefinite conjugation in both cases (e.g., Mindent látok) UNLESS it modifies a possessed noun, which triggers the definite conjugation.
  • Mind (All): Collective. Often used as 'all of them'. When used as a direct object (mindet), it triggers the definite conjugation (e.g., Mindet megeszem). It frequently takes a plural verb when acting as a subject referring to people. Note that it is also heavily used to mean 'both' (mind a kettő) or as a correlative conjunction (mind... mind...).
  • Mindegyik (Each one): Refers to specific items in a set. As an object, it always triggers the definite conjugation.
  • Összes (All/Total): Similar to 'minden' but emphasizes the total sum. It usually requires a definite article (e.g., az összes könyv) and triggers the definite conjugation.
  • Valamennyi (All / Some): While it can be a formal synonym for 'minden' or 'az összes' (used with a singular noun), be aware that in everyday contexts it frequently means 'some' or 'a certain amount'. Crucially, when it means 'all', it triggers the definite conjugation, but when it means 'some', it triggers the indefinite conjugation.
  • Mindenki (Everyone): Refers to people and always takes a singular verb. Crucially, when used as a direct object (mindenkit), it strictly triggers the indefinite conjugation (e.g., Mindenkit ismerek, not ismerem).
  • Case Suffixes: All these forms can take case suffixes or positional suffixes.

Examples (6)

  1. Minden nap tanulok magyarul.

    I study Hungarian every day.

    Word by Word: Every day I-study Hungarian-in.

    'Minden' is used here as a general frequency marker with the singular noun 'nap'.

  2. Mindegyik diák kapott egy könyvet.

    Each student received a book.

    Word by Word: Each student received a book-acc.

    'Mindegyik' refers to individuals within a specific group of students.

  3. Mindent látok a szobában.

    I see everything in the room.

    Word by Word: Everything-acc I-see the room-in.

    'Minden' (everything) triggers the indefinite conjugation (látok).

  4. Mindegyiket látom a polcon.

    I see each one (of them) on the shelf.

    Word by Word: Each-one-acc I-see-them the shelf-on.

    'Mindegyik' (each one) triggers the definite conjugation (látom).

  5. Mindenki itt van már.

    Everyone is here already.

    Word by Word: Everyone here is already.

    'Mindenki' (everyone) refers to people and always takes a singular verb.

  6. A sütiket mindet megeszem.

    I will eat all the cookies.

    Word by Word: The cookies-acc all-acc I-eat.

    When 'mind' is used as an object ('mindet'), it triggers the definite conjugation.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indefinite conjugation with 'minden' when it modifies a possessed noun.

    Minden könyvedet elolvasok.
    Minden könyvedet elolvasom.

    While 'minden' usually triggers the indefinite conjugation, it triggers the definite conjugation if the noun it modifies has a possessive suffix.

  • Using a singular verb with 'mind' when it refers to a group of people.

    A barátaim mind itt van.
    A barátaim mind itt vannak.

    Unlike 'mindenki', the collective quantifier 'mind' (all) often takes a plural verb when acting as the subject, especially when referring to people.

  • Using a plural noun after 'minden'.

    Minden könyvek érdekesek.
    Minden könyv érdekes.

    Just like numbers, the quantifier 'minden' must be followed by a singular noun, even though it translates to 'all' or 'every' in English.

How It Connects

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minden / mindegyikLevel 3Every and Each

Learn This First

To understand 'minden' and 'mindegyik', you must first be comfortable with the Hungarian rule that quantifiers take singular nouns. Additionally, because 'mindegyik' refers to specific members of a set, it often triggers definite verb conjugation, whereas 'minden' functions differently, making knowledge of the definite/indefinite distinction essential.

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mindenmindegyik