sok / kevés + Singular Noun

Many and Few

Level 1

Sok (many/much) and kevés (few/little) are followed by a singular noun and a singular verb.

How It Works

In Hungarian, sok (many/much) and kevés (few/little) are indefinite numerals. They follow a strict rule that applies to all quantifiers (including numbers):

  • Singular Agreement: The noun following these words must be in the singular. Do not add the plural suffix -k. Similarly, the verb stays in the 3rd person singular (sometimes called antiagreement).
  • Referring to People: If you are talking about 'many people' or 'few people' but do not use the word 'people' (emberek), you must use the forms sokan and kevesen. These forms always take a plural verb (e.g., Sokan vannak).
  • Adverbial Use: To say you do something 'a lot' or 'a little', use the forms sokat and keveset. These function like objects in the accusative case.
  • Countable vs. Uncountable: Hungarian does not distinguish between 'many' and 'much'. Sok and kevés are used for both countable items (apples) and uncountable substances (water).

Examples (6)

  1. Sok alma van az asztalon.

    There are many apples on the table.

    Word by Word: Many apple is the table-on.

    Notice that 'alma' (apple) and 'van' (is) are both singular, even though we are talking about many apples.

  2. Sokan vannak a boltban.

    Many people are in the shop.

    Word by Word: Many-people are the shop-in.

    When referring to people without naming them, we use the special form 'sokan'.

  3. Sokat alszom hétvégén.

    I sleep a lot on the weekend.

    Word by Word: Much-t sleep-I weekend-on.

    When 'sok' acts as an adverbial object (a lot), it takes the accusative -t to become 'sokat'.

  4. Kevés vizet iszom.

    I drink little water.

    Word by Word: Few water-t drink-I.

    Here, 'kevés' is used with an uncountable noun. The noun 'víz' takes the accusative '-et' but remains singular.

  5. Kevesen jöttek el a buliba.

    Few people came to the party.

    Word by Word: Few-people came away the party-into.

    The form 'kevesen' is used when 'few people' is the subject but the word 'people' is not explicitly stated.

  6. Kevés könyvet olvasok.

    I read few books.

    Word by Word: Few book-t read-I.

    The noun 'könyv' is singular despite the meaning being plural.

Common Mistakes

  • Pluralizing the noun after 'sok' or 'kevés'.

    Sok könyvek vannak.
    Sok könyv van.

    English speakers often want to add the '-k' plural suffix, but in Hungarian, the quantifier already tells us there are many, so the plural suffix is redundant and incorrect.

  • Using a plural verb with a quantified subject.

    Sok ember várnak.
    Sok ember vár.

    Because the noun 'ember' is singular, the verb must also be in the singular 3rd person form ('vár'), not the plural ('várnak').

  • Using 'sok' instead of 'sokat' for 'a lot'.

    Sok alszom.
    Sokat alszom.

    When you want to say you do something 'a lot' (as an adverb), you must use the form 'sokat'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

sok / kevés + Singular NounLevel 1Many and Few

Learn This First

To understand how 'sok' (many) and 'kevés' (few) function, learners should already be familiar with the general Hungarian rule that quantities (like numbers) require the singular form of the noun. Knowledge of standard plural formation is also necessary to contrast this pattern with English usage.

Words in This Pattern

sokkevés