-ó/-ő (folyamatos melléknévi igenév)

Present Participle

Level 2

The present participle -ó/-ő turns a verb into an adjective (like 'crying' in 'crying child') or a noun (like 'writer'). It focuses on the active, ongoing, or habitual nature of the action.

How It Works

The Hungarian present participle (folyamatos melléknévi igenév) is a versatile tool used in three main ways:

  • As an Adjective: It modifies a noun to show an ongoing action or a characteristic. For example, a síró gyerek (the crying child).
  • As a Noun: Many professions and roles are formed this way. Ír (to write) becomes író (writer); tanul (to study) becomes tanuló (student).
  • In Participle Clauses: It can replace longer relative clauses. Crucially, the entire phrase (including objects and adverbs) must precede the noun. For example, a kenyeret evő férfi (the man eating bread).

Passive and Potential Meanings:
In certain fixed expressions, the -ó/-ő participle indicates that something is 'to be' acted upon rather than performing the action. Common examples include eladó (for sale / to be sold) and kiadó (for rent / to be rented).

Morphology and Irregularities:
The suffix is generally added to the verb stem. However, for v-inserting stems, the suffix attaches to the specific v-stem variant, and long vowels in certain stems shorten:

  • eszik (eat) → evő
  • iszik (drink) → ivó
  • lő (shoot) → lövő (vowel shortening)
  • sző (weave) → szövő (vowel shortening)
  • hisz (believe) → hívő (believer)
  • jön (come) → jövő (which also means 'future')
  • van (to be) → lévő (for location) or való (for essence/origin).

Important Distinction: Unlike the English '-ing', this cannot be used as a main verb. You cannot say 'I am reading' using this suffix; you must use the standard present tense conjugation.

Examples (5)

  1. A mosolygó lány a barátom.

    The smiling girl is my friend.

    Word by Word: The smiling girl the friend-my.

    Here, 'mosolygó' (from 'mosolyog' - to smile) acts as an adjective describing the girl.

  2. A Budapestre tartó vonat késik.

    The train heading to Budapest is late.

    Word by Word: The Budapest-to heading train delays.

    This is a participle clause where 'tartó' (heading) describes the train's current action.

  3. Az író új könyvet ír.

    The writer is writing a new book.

    Word by Word: The writer new book-acc writes.

    'Író' is the nominalized form of 'ír' (to write), functioning as a noun meaning 'writer'.

  4. Ez egy neked való ajándék.

    This is a gift meant for you.

    Word by Word: This one you-for being gift.

    'Való' is a special participle of 'van' used to indicate suitability or origin.

  5. Az asztalon lévő pohár üres.

    The glass [that is] on the table is empty.

    Word by Word: The table-on being glass empty.

    'Lévő' is the participle of 'van' used specifically for physical location.

Common Mistakes

  • Using be + participle for 'I am reading'.

    Different MeaningÉn vagyok olvasó.
    Olvasok.

    'Én vagyok olvasó' is correct, but it means 'I am a reader'. For 'I am reading', Hungarian uses the conjugated verb: 'Olvasok.'

  • Confusing the present participle with the verbal noun (-ás/-és).

    A fiú szereti az olvasó.
    A fiú szereti az olvasást.

    -ó/-ő describes a person or thing doing the action, while -ás/-és describes the act itself. Use 'olvasás' for 'the act of reading'.

How It Connects

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-ó/-ő (folyamatos melléknévi igenév)Level 2Present Participle

Learn This First

To form and use the Hungarian present participle (-ó/-ő), you must understand how to apply two-way vowel harmony to verb stems. Additionally, since these participles function as adjectives that modify nouns, you need to be familiar with the standard word order for attributive adjectives.

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Words in This Pattern

-ó-ő