Paradigm Variation

Level 5

In Hungarian, verbs ending in -ik in the 3rd-person singular (like eszik or alszik) historically had a unique 1st-person singular indefinite ending: -m. Today, this creates a major register distinction between the prescriptive -m (formal) and the regularized -k (colloquial). Note that this variation only applies to the indefinite conjugation; when there is a definite object, these verbs follow the regular definite conjugation rules.

How It Works

The 1st-person singular indefinite conjugation of -ik verbs is one of the most debated topics in Hungarian grammar. These verbs are named after their 3rd-person singular indefinite ending (-ik), whereas regular Hungarian verbs have a zero-ending in the 3rd-person singular. To find the present-tense stem of an -ik verb, simply drop the -ik ending. (Note, however, that many -ik verbs have irregular verb stems in other tenses or the infinitive, such as alszik → aludni or fekszik → feküdni). The 1st-person singular involves attaching a linking vowel (-o-, -e-, -ö-) followed by either -m or -k to this present-tense stem.

1. The Register Divide

  • The -m ending (Prescriptive/Standard): Forms like eszem, alszom, and dolgozom are considered standard and are highly expected in educated speech and formal writing for traditional core verbs.
  • The -k ending (Colloquial/Mainstream): Forms like eszek, alszok, and dolgozok are widespread in everyday speech. Linguistically, the paradigm is regularizing to match standard indefinite endings, though prescriptive speakers often stigmatize this usage.

2. Beyond the Present Tense
While the -m vs. -k divide is prominent in the present tense, using the -m ending for an indefinite object in the conditional mood (enném) and the imperative and subjunctive (egyem) is now considered archaic or highly literary. Today, the -k ending (ennék, egyek) is accepted as the standard for indefinite objects in these moods.

3. Confusion with the Definite Conjugation
The historical -m indefinite ending is identical to the standard 1st-person singular definite endings.

  • Eszem a levest. 'I am eating the soup.' (Definite object: -m is mandatory for all verbs).
  • Eszem egy almát. 'I am eating an apple.' (Indefinite object: -m is the prescriptive -ik verb form).
  • Eszek egy almát. 'I am eating an apple.' (Indefinite object: -k is the modern colloquial form).

4. Pseudo-ik Verbs (Álikes igék)
Historically, true -ik verbs expressed reflexive, passive, or middle-voice actions (e.g., alszik 'sleeps' or nyugszik 'rests'). Pseudo-ik verbs also end in -ik, but historically, these were regular verbs that falsely acquired the -ik ending in the 3rd-person singular and never had an -m ending in the 1st-person singular. Because of this, verbs like hazudik (to lie), bújik (to hide), or törik (to break) always take the -k ending for indefinite objects even in prescriptive grammar (e.g., hazudok egyet, török). You still use -m for definite objects (e.g., azt hazudom). Distinguishing true -ik verbs from pseudo-ik verbs is a lexical feature that generally must be memorized.

5. Modern -zik Verbs
The highly productive category of modern verbs ending in -zik (e.g., biciklizik, internetezik) is very often conjugated with the -k ending in the 1st-person singular indefinite in speech (biciklizek, internetezek). Prescriptive grammar still lists the -m forms (internetezem), which sound formal in everyday talk.

Examples (6)

  1. Most éppen egy almát eszek.

    I am eating an apple right now. (Casual/Colloquial)

    Word by Word: Now exactly an apple-acc eat-I.

    Uses the regularized colloquial -k ending for the indefinite object 'egy almát'.

  2. Most éppen egy almát eszem.

    I am eating an apple right now. (Formal/Prescriptive)

    Word by Word: Now exactly an apple-acc eat-I.

    Uses the prescriptive historical -m ending for the indefinite object 'egy almát'.

  3. Sokat dolgozok mostanában.

    I am working a lot lately. (Casual/Colloquial)

    Word by Word: A-lot-acc work-I lately.

    The verb 'dolgozik' takes the colloquial -k ending in everyday speech.

  4. Minden éjjel nyolc órát alszom.

    I sleep eight hours every night. (Formal/Prescriptive)

    Word by Word: Every night eight hour-acc sleep-I.

    The verb 'alszik' takes the prescriptive -m ending, which is standard and expected in educated speech.

  5. Soha nem hazudok neked.

    I never lie to you.

    Word by Word: Never not lie-I to-you.

    Because 'hazudik' is a pseudo-ik verb, it strictly takes the -k ending in the indefinite conjugation. 'Hazudom' is only correct when there is a definite object (e.g., 'azt hazudom').

  6. Minden nap egy órát internetezek.

    I use the internet for an hour every day.

    Word by Word: Every day one hour-acc internet-I.

    Modern, highly productive '-zik' verbs like 'internetezik' are conjugated with the '-k' ending. This is the accepted standard even in formal contexts, and using the '-m' ending (internetezem) is considered an unnatural hypercorrection.

Common Mistakes

  • Over-applying the -m ending to non-ik verbs in indefinite contexts.

    Látom egy autót.
    Látok egy autót.

    Because learners are taught 'eszem' (I eat) for indefinite contexts, they mistakenly assume -m is the general 1st-person indefinite ending. Non-ik verbs like 'lát' must use -k with indefinite objects (egy autót).

  • Hypercorrecting pseudo-ik verbs by giving them the -m ending.

    Soha nem hazudom.
    Soha nem hazudok.

    Verbs like 'hazudik' (to lie) or 'bújik' (to hide) are pseudo-ik verbs. They never take the -m ending in the 1st-person singular indefinite, even in strict prescriptive grammar.

How It Connects

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

Paradigm VariationLevel 5

Learn This First

To understand the historical and prescriptive variations in the definite conjugation (particularly for -ik verbs and first-person forms), learners must first be comfortable with the standard definite conjugation system and the specific behavior of -ik verbs in the present tense.

Words in This Pattern

-ik-m-k