hogy (célhatározói mellékmondat)

Purpose Clauses

Level 3

Hungarian uses the conjunction hogy (so that) combined with the imperative-subjunctive mood to explain why an action is performed.

How It Works

Purpose clauses (célhatározói mellékmondatok) describe a goal or intended result. Because this goal is a desired state rather than a factual one, the verb must be in the imperative-subjunctive mood.

1. The Structure:
The sentence usually follows this pattern: [Main Clause + (azért)] + , hogy + [Subordinate Clause with Subjunctive Verb]. Unlike English, which often uses 'to' + infinitive, Hungarian usually requires a full clause. However, verbs of motion, sending, or calling (like megy, jön, küld, or hív) are an exception and can use the infinitive. For verbs of motion, this happens when the subject is the same (e.g., Elmentem kenyeret venni - I went to buy bread). For transitive verbs of sending or calling, the infinitive can be used when the object of the main verb is the logical subject of the infinitive (e.g., Elküldtem a fiamat kenyeret venni - I sent my son to buy bread). Otherwise, if the subjects are different, you must use the full hogy + subjunctive clause (e.g., Azért jöttem ide, hogy aludj - I came here so that you can sleep).

2. Negative Purpose:
There are three common ways to express 'so that... not':
• hogy... ne (separated): A neutral construction where ne causes the verbal prefix to separate (e.g., Korábban indulok, hogy ne késsek el - I'm leaving earlier so that I'm not late).
• hogy... ne (sandwich): An alternative word order where ne is placed between the prefix and the verb (e.g., Korábban indulok, hogy el ne késsek). This often expresses more emphasis or personal concern.
• nehogy: A more emphatic conjunction meaning 'lest'. Crucially, with nehogy, the verbal prefix typically stays attached (e.g., Sietek, nehogy elkéssek - I'm hurrying so that I'm not late / lest I be late).

3. The Correlative 'azért':
The word azért acts as a 'pointer' in the main clause. While it can be omitted in casual speech, it helps signal that a purpose clause is coming.

4. Verb Mood and Assimilation:
The verb uses the -j- marker. Beyond sibilant assimilation (mos + j = mosson), pay attention to -t ending verbs: those with a short vowel + t change to -ss- (fut → fusson), while those with a long vowel or most consonants + t change to -ts- (tanít → tanítson). Note that lát (to see) and bocsát (to forgive/emit) are major exceptions that change to -ss- (lásson, bocsásson). Verbs ending in -st or -szt are also exceptions and change to -ss- and -ssz- respectively (fest → fessen, választ → válasszon).

5. Conjugation Choice:
You must still choose between indefinite and definite endings based on the object of the purpose clause.

6. Sequence of Tenses:
Hungarian purpose clauses always use the present-tense imperative-subjunctive, regardless of the tense of the main clause. Even if the main action happened in the past, the purpose clause remains in the present (e.g., Elmentem, hogy lássam - I went so that I could see it).

Examples (5)

  1. Azért jöttem, hogy segítsek.

    I came to help (so that I might help).

    Word by Word: For-that I-came, that I-help(subjunctive).

    The main clause uses 'azért' to point to the purpose, and 'segítsek' is the subjunctive form of 'segít'.

  2. Becsukom az ablakot, hogy ne fázzunk.

    I am closing the window so that we won't be cold.

    Word by Word: I-close the window-acc, that not we-be-cold(subjunctive).

    Notice the use of ne for negation in the purpose clause.

  3. Pénzt adok neki, hogy vegyen egy könyvet.

    I am giving him money so that he buys a book.

    Word by Word: Money-acc I-give to-him, that he-buy(subjunctive) a book-acc.

    The verb 'vegyen' is the subjunctive form of 'vesz' (to buy).

  4. Félreállt, hogy az autó elmehessen.

    He stepped aside so that the car could pass.

    Word by Word: Aside-stood, that the car away-go-could(subjunctive).

    This uses the potential suffix -hess- within the subjunctive mood to mean 'could/might be able to'.

  5. Siessünk, hogy elérjük a buszt!

    Let's hurry so that we catch the bus!

    Word by Word: Hurry-let's, that away-reach-we(subjunctive) the bus-acc!

    Here, 'elérjük' is in the definite subjunctive because 'the bus' is a definite object.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.

    Azért megyek, hogy találkozom vele.
    Azért megyek, hogy találkozzam vele.

    Using 'találkozok' (indicative) makes it sound like a statement of fact rather than a purpose. Purpose clauses always require the subjunctive mood.

  • Using 'nem' instead of 'ne' for negation.

    Hogy nem késsünk el.
    Hogy ne késsünk el.

    In the subjunctive mood, the negative particle must be ne, never 'nem'.

  • Over-relying on the infinitive when subjects are different.

    Pénzt adok neki könyvet venni.
    Pénzt adok neki, hogy vegyen egy könyvet.

    While infinitives can sometimes express purpose when the subject is the same, you must use a 'hogy' clause when the person performing the second action is different.

How It Connects

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

hogy (célhatározói mellékmondat)Level 3Purpose Clauses

Learn This First

To form purpose clauses, you need to combine the conjunction 'hogy' (that) with a verb in the imperative-subjunctive mood. This requires a solid grasp of how the imperative-subjunctive is formed and how 'hogy' functions as a bridge between the main clause and the subordinate clause expressing intent.

Words in This Pattern

hogy