Numbers with Singular Nouns
When you count things in Hungarian (e.g., 'three dogs'), the noun stays singular (e.g., 'three dog').
How It Works
In Hungarian, cardinal numbers (like egy, két, három) and quantifiers (like sok [many] or néhány [some]) act as modifiers that keep the noun in its singular form.
Key Rules:
- Noun Form: The noun remains in the singular. For example, 'five books' is öt könyv, not öt könyvek.
- Verb Agreement: If the numbered noun is the subject, the verb must be in the 3rd person singular. Example: Három macska ül a fán (Three cats are sitting on the tree - literally: 'Three cat sits').
- Demonstrative Agreement: The demonstratives ez (this) and az (that) must also stay singular to match the noun. Example: Ez a két autó (These two cars - literally: 'This the two car').
- Case Suffixes: If you need to add a case ending like the accusative -t, you add it to the singular noun. Example: Kérek két almát (I would like two apples).
- The Number Two: When the number 'two' (kettő) is used directly before a noun, it always changes to the form két.
Examples (5)
- Egy kávét kérek.
I would like one coffee.
Word by Word: One coffee-(acc) I-ask.
Even with the number 'one', the noun is singular and takes the accusative suffix.
- Három gyerek játszik a kertben.
Three children are playing in the garden.
Word by Word: Three child plays the garden-in.
Notice that 'gyerek' (child) is singular and the verb 'játszik' (plays) is also 3rd person singular.
- Vettem két piros almát.
I bought two red apples.
Word by Word: I-bought two red apple-(acc).
The number 'two' becomes 'két' before a noun, and 'alma' stays singular even with the accusative suffix.
- Sok ember van a boltban.
There are many people in the shop.
Word by Word: Many person is the shop-in.
Quantifiers like 'sok' (many) follow the same rule as numbers, requiring a singular noun and verb.
- Ez a négy könyv érdekes.
These four books are interesting.
Word by Word: This the four book interesting.
The demonstrative 'ez' (this) stays singular because the noun 'könyv' is grammatically singular.
Common Mistakes
Pluralizing the noun after a number.
öt kutyáköt kutyaIn English we say 'five dogs', but in Hungarian, the plural suffix -k is never used after a number.
Using the plural form of the verb with a numbered subject.
Tíz ember várnak.Tíz ember vár.Because the subject 'tíz ember' is grammatically singular, the verb must also be singular (vár instead of várnak).
Using 'kettő' instead of 'két' before a noun.
kettő forintkét forintWhile 'kettő' is used for counting (1, 2, 3...), 'két' is the specific form used when a noun follows immediately.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand this pattern, you should first be familiar with how Hungarian typically marks plural nouns with '-k'. This pattern is unique because, unlike English, Hungarian requires the noun to stay in its singular (base) form when a specific quantity is mentioned. Knowing the indefinite article 'egy' (one) provides a foundational example of this rule in practice.
- -kPlural Nouns
Learners need to understand how plurals are normally formed in Hungarian to appreciate the contrast that nouns remain in the singular form after cardinal numbers.
Level 1 - egyIndefinite Article
The number 'one' (egy) functions both as a numeral and an indefinite article, serving as the most basic example of a number preceding a singular noun.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- sok / kevés + Singular NounMany and Few
Quantifiers like 'many' and 'few' follow the exact same singular-noun rule as cardinal numbers.
Level 1 - ez / azThis and That
Demonstratives must agree with the singular form of the noun used after a number.
Level 1 - Zero Copula
When describing a numbered noun (e.g., 'The three books are red'), the 'are' is often omitted in the 3rd person singular.
Level 1 - -dikOrdinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd) also precede singular nouns, similar to cardinal numbers.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Numbers with Singular Nouns in Bubblegum
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