meg-

Meg- and Completion

Level 2

The verbal prefix meg- is Hungarian's most common tool for showing that an action is finished (perfective aspect). It doesn't have a physical direction like 'out' or 'down'; instead, it focuses on the result or the start of something new.

How It Works

The prefix meg- is a versatile verbal prefix with several key functions:

  • Completion (Perfectivity): This is its most common use. It indicates that an action is not just happening, but is finished. In the present tense, adding meg- often gives the verb a future meaning.
  • Inchoative (Starting): With verbs describing states, meg- marks the moment the state begins (e.g., megszeret - to come to love).
  • Lexical Meaning: It can change a verb's meaning entirely (e.g., megbeszél - to discuss).

Word Order and Separation:
Like all prefixes, meg- is 'separable.' It moves after the verb in these cases:

Prefix Climbing:
When using auxiliary verbs like kell or akar, the prefix moves to the front of the auxiliary: Meg kell ennem (I must eat it).

Short Answers:
In colloquial speech, you can answer a 'yes/no' question about a completed action by simply saying "Meg!" (e.g., "Megcsináltad?" "Meg!").

Examples (6)

  1. Már megírtam a házi feladatot.

    I have already written the homework.

    Word by Word: Already [prefix]-wrote-I the home task-acc.

    Here, meg- indicates that the writing process is finished.

  2. Holnap megeszem az almát.

    I will eat the apple tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Tomorrow [prefix]-eat-I the apple-acc.

    Using meg- with the present tense indicates a completed action in the future.

  3. Meg kell ennem a vacsorát.

    I must eat the dinner.

    Word by Word: [prefix] must eat-I the dinner-acc.

    When using an auxiliary verb like 'kell', the prefix 'meg-' moves to the front of the auxiliary.

  4. Mit ettél meg?

    What did you eat (up)?

    Word by Word: What ate-you [prefix]?

    Question words like 'mit' act as a focus, causing the prefix to move after the verb.

  5. Megcsináltad a leckét? Meg!

    Did you do the lesson? Yes (I did)!

    Word by Word: [prefix]-did-you the lesson? [prefix]!

    In short answers, repeating just the prefix 'Meg!' is a common way to say 'Yes, I finished it'.

  6. Nem ettem meg a vacsorát.

    I didn't eat (up) the dinner.

    Word by Word: Not ate-I [prefix] the dinner-acc.

    Because of the negation 'nem', the prefix meg- moves after the verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the prefix attached to the main verb when an auxiliary verb is present.

    Kell megennem a vacsorát.
    Meg kell ennem a vacsorát.

    With auxiliary verbs like kell, akar, or tud, the prefix 'climbs' to the position before the auxiliary.

  • Keeping the prefix in front of the verb during negation or questions.

    Nem megcsináltam a munkát.
    Nem csináltam meg a munkát.

    In negative sentences or sentences with a question word, the verbal prefix must move to the position immediately following the verb.

  • Using meg- for every 'finished' action when a directional prefix is needed.

    Megmentem a boltba.
    Elmentem a boltba.

    While meg- means completion, 'going' usually requires el- (away) to show the completion of leaving for a destination.

How It Connects

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meg-Level 2Meg- and Completion

Learn This First

To understand the 'meg-' perfective prefix, you first need a general understanding of how verbal prefixes (igekötők) function in Hungarian sentences. Since 'meg-' is primarily used to signal the completion of an action, familiarity with the past tense is crucial. Additionally, because 'meg-' often makes a verb's action directed toward a specific object, you should be familiar with definite and indefinite verb conjugations.

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