-ra/-re

Onto

Level 1

The sublative case is primarily used for movement onto a surface (like a table) or to specific destinations like Hungarian cities, universities, and events.

How It Works

The sublative case is a 'two-form' suffix, meaning its form depends on vowel harmony:

  • -ra: Used with back-vowel words (e.g., asztal → asztalra).
  • -re: Used with front-vowel words (e.g., szék → székre).

Important Rule: Due to stem-final vowel lengthening, words ending in short -a or -e lengthen to -á or -é before adding the suffix (e.g., posta → postára).

The Surface Triad: The sublative case is part of a three-way directional system for surfaces. It expresses movement onto (-ra/-re), contrasting with stationary position on (-on/-en/-ön/-n) and movement off of (-ról/-ről).

Key Functions:
1. Physical Surface: Movement onto something. A macska felugrott a tetőre (The cat jumped onto the roof).
2. Hungarian Cities: Most Hungarian cities use this suffix instead of the 'into' suffix. Budapestre megyek (I am going to Budapest). However, major exceptions take the -ba/-be suffix instead (e.g., Debrecenbe, Győrbe, Sopronba, Egerbe).
3. Public Transport: Used when boarding large vehicles like a bus, train, or tram. Felszállok a vonatra (I am getting on the train). Note that small enclosed vehicles like cars and taxis take the -ba/-be suffix instead.
4. Deadlines and Points in Time: Expressing 'by' or 'for' a certain time. Hétfőre kész lesz (It will be ready by/for Monday).
5. Languages: Used when translating 'into' a language. Angolra fordít (Translates into English).
6. Events and Institutions: Used for events (concerts, weddings) and specific places like the post office (posta → postára) or university (egyetem → egyetemre).
7. Time Duration: Expressing how long something is intended for. Egy hétre jöttem (I came for one week).
8. Verb Government: Some verbs specifically require this case, such as vár (wait for) or gondol (think of).
9. Purpose (Meals and Gifts): Used to express what something is for, especially with meals. Mit kérsz reggelire? (What do you want for breakfast?).
10. Basic Directions: Used for spatial directions like left and right. Fordulj balra! (Turn left!).
11. Conjugated Pronouns: Like many Hungarian cases, -ra/-re has conjugated pronoun forms: rám (onto me), rád (onto you), rá (onto him/her/it), ránk (onto us), rátok (onto you all), rájuk (onto them). These are essential for governing verbs: Várj rám! (Wait for me!).
12. Demonstrative Pronouns: When used with the demonstratives ez and az, the final -z assimilates to the -r of the suffix, creating erre (onto this / this way) and arra (onto that / that way).

Examples (6)

  1. Tedd a könyvet az asztalra!

    Put the book onto the table!

    Word by Word: Put the book-ACC the table-ONTO!

    Here, -ra is used because 'asztal' (table) is a back-vowel word and the action involves moving an object onto its surface.

  2. Pénteken Szegedre utazunk.

    We are traveling to Szeged on Friday.

    Word by Word: Friday-ON Szeged-ONTO travel-we.

    Most Hungarian cities, like Szeged, take the sublative suffix -ra/-re to indicate 'to'.

  3. Hétfőre kész lesz a munka.

    The work will be ready by Monday.

    Word by Word: Monday-ONTO ready will-be the work.

    The sublative case is used to express deadlines or the point in time by which something must be completed.

  4. Felszállok a buszra.

    I am getting on the bus.

    Word by Word: Up-step-I the bus-ONTO.

    In Hungarian, you use the sublative case when boarding large public transport vehicles like buses, trains, or trams.

  5. Lefordítom a szöveget magyarra.

    I am translating the text into Hungarian.

    Word by Word: Down-translate-I the text-ACC Hungarian-ONTO.

    When translating 'into' a language, Hungarian uses the -ra/-re suffix.

  6. Várok a buszra.

    I am waiting for the bus.

    Word by Word: Wait-I the bus-ONTO.

    The verb 'vár' (to wait) is a 'governing verb' that requires its object to be in the sublative case.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -ba/-be for all cities.

    Budapestbe megyek.
    Budapestre megyek.

    While foreign cities usually take -ba/-be, most Hungarian cities (especially those ending in -pest, -szeg, -vár) require -ra/-re.

  • Confusing 'onto' (movement) with 'on' (static location).

    A pohár az asztalra van.
    A pohár az asztalon van.

    Use the superessive (-on/-en/-ön) for static location. Use -ra/-re only when there is movement toward the surface.

How It Connects

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

-ra/-reLevel 1Onto

Learn This First

To become confident with the sublative case (-ra/-re), you must first understand Hungarian vowel harmony to choose the correct suffix form. It is also helpful to be familiar with other two-way suffixes and the superessive case, as they share the same logic regarding surface-based spatial relations.

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Words in This Pattern

-ra-re