-s
Having / Characterized by
The -s suffix is the most common way to create adjectives from nouns in Hungarian. It describes a quality or characteristic, similar to the English '-y' (salty) or '-ed' (wooded).
How It Works
The -s suffix is a derivational tool (képző) that changes a noun's category to an adjective. It is highly productive, meaning it can be applied to almost any noun to create a new descriptor.
1. Vowel Harmony and Linking Vowels:
Because the suffix starts with a consonant, it often requires a linking vowel when the noun ends in a consonant:
- Back-vowel nouns: Use -os or -as. (e.g., cukor → cukros, ház → házas).
- Front-vowel nouns: Use -es or -ös. (e.g., szél → szeles, erdő → erdős).
2. Usage Nuances:
Unlike the instrumental case (-val/-vel), which indicates a temporary 'with' relationship, the -s suffix creates a permanent or characteristic quality. For example, sós leves is 'salty soup' (the salt is a quality of the soup), whereas leves sóval would imply the soup is accompanied by salt.
3. Stem Changes:
Some nouns undergo changes when this suffix is added, such as vowel shortening (e.g., tűz 'fire' becomes tüzes 'fiery') or vowel dropping (e.g., cukor 'sugar' becomes cukros 'sugary').
Examples (5)
- Kérek egy cukros kávét.
I would like a coffee with sugar.
Word by Word: I-ask a sugary coffee.
Here, 'cukor' (sugar) becomes 'cukros' (sugary) to describe the type of coffee.
- Ez egy nagyon szeles nap.
This is a very windy day.
Word by Word: This a very windy day.
'Szél' (wind) takes the front-vowel suffix '-es' to become 'szeles' (windy).
- A leves túl sós lett.
The soup turned out too salty.
Word by Word: The soup too salty became.
'Só' (salt) ends in a vowel, so the '-s' is added directly without a linking vowel.
- Péter már házas ember.
Péter is already a married man.
Word by Word: Péter already house-having man.
'Házas' literally means 'having a house/household', which is the standard Hungarian word for 'married'.
- Az erdős hegyek szépek.
The wooded mountains are beautiful.
Word by Word: The forest-ed mountains beautiful-plural.
'Erdő' (forest) becomes 'erdős' (wooded/forested) to describe the mountains.
Common Mistakes
Confusing the -s adjective suffix with the -k plural suffix.
Az asztalos vannak a szobában.Az asztalok vannak a szobában.'Asztalok' means 'tables' (plural), while 'asztalos' means 'carpenter' or 'table-related'. Be careful with the final consonant!
Using -s for origin instead of the -i suffix.
Szeretem a budapestis utcákat.Szeretem a budapesti utcákat.Use the '-i' suffix for location or origin. The '-s' suffix is for characteristics or contents.
Ignoring vowel harmony when choosing the linking vowel.
Ez egy szélos nap.Ez egy szeles nap.'Szél' is a front-vowel word, so it must take the front-vowel linking vowel '-e-' before the '-s'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To form adjectives with the -s suffix, learners must understand how to apply linking vowels based on the vowel harmony of the root noun.
Related Patterns
- -i (melléknévképző)Relational Adjectives
Both create adjectives from nouns, but '-i' denotes origin/location while '-s' denotes a characteristic or content.
Level 4 - Vowel Harmony
Determines whether you use -os/-as or -es/-ös.
Level 1 - Linking Vowels
Explains the rules for the vowels that appear between the noun stem and the '-s' suffix.
Level 4 - -ság/-ségAbstract Nouns
Another common derivational suffix that turns adjectives back into nouns (e.g., sós -> sóság).
Level 4 - -tlan/-tlen, -atlan/-etlenWithout / Lacking
The opposite of '-s'; it creates adjectives meaning 'without' or 'lacking' the noun.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -s in Bubblegum
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