hogy + Imperative

Reported Commands

Level 4

Main Clause (Verb of Will + Demonstrative) + hogy + Subordinate Clause (Imperative-Subjunctive Verb with Inverted Prefix).

How It Works

In Hungarian, reported speech involving commands, requests, or suggestions follows a specific structure. Unlike English, which often uses an infinitive ('to do'), Hungarian requires a subordinate clause.

1. The Main Clause
The main clause contains a verb of 'will' or 'communication' such as mond (say/tell), kér (ask), or javasol (suggest). These verbs are accompanied by a demonstrative pronoun that acts as a placeholder for the clause. Crucially, the case of this pronoun must match the verb's requirement: azt (accusative) for mond, but arra (sublative) for kér (e.g., Arra kérlek, hogy...).

2. The Subordinate Clause
This clause begins with the conjunction hogy (that). The verb in this clause must be in the imperative-subjunctive mood. Even if the original request was very polite, the grammatical mood remains the imperative. In the 2nd person singular, both the short (e.g., várj) and long (e.g., várjál) forms are common in reported speech.

3. Word Order Inversion
In positive clauses, if a verb has a verbal prefix, the prefix must move after the verb in the subordinate clause (e.g., Azt mondta, hogy jöjjön be). This inversion is required to distinguish a reported command from a purpose clause, though this distinction only applies to positive sentences.

4. Negative Reported Commands
To report a negative command, use the negative particle ne. The particle ne acts as a focus, which forces the verbal prefix to move after the verb (e.g., Azt mondta, hogy ne menjek el). For warnings or negative commands, the conjunction nehogy is also frequently used (e.g., Szóltam neki, nehogy elkéssen).

5. Conjugation and Assimilation
The verb must agree with the person being commanded. The imperative marker -j often undergoes sibilant assimilation. You must also choose between indefinite and definite endings based on the object of the command.

Examples (4)

  1. Azt mondta, hogy menjek haza.

    He told me to go home.

    Word by Word: That (he) said, that (I) should go home.

    The main verb 'mondta' uses the placeholder 'azt'. The verb 'megy' changes to the 1st person singular imperative 'menjek'.

  2. Az orvos azt tanácsolta, hogy ne dohányozzak.

    The doctor advised me not to smoke.

    Word by Word: The doctor that advised, that not (I) should smoke.

    Negative commands in reported speech use 'ne' before the imperative verb.

  3. Kérd meg a tanárt, hogy magyarázza el még egyszer!

    Ask the teacher to explain it one more time!

    Word by Word: Ask (you) the teacher, that (he/she) explain away yet once!

    Note how the verbal prefix 'el-' moves after the verb 'magyarázza' in the subordinate clause.

  4. Azt javaslom, hogy maradjunk itt.

    I suggest that we stay here.

    Word by Word: That (I) suggest, that (we) should stay here.

    Even for suggestions, the imperative-subjunctive (maradjunk) is required after 'hogy'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the infinitive instead of a 'hogy' clause.

    Azt mondta nekem hazamenni.
    Azt mondta, hogy menjek haza.

    English speakers often try to translate 'to go' literally as 'menni'. In Hungarian, reported commands must use a conjugated imperative verb.

  • Using the conditional mood to be 'polite' in the reported clause.

    Azt kérte, hogy segítenél.
    Azt kérte, hogy segíts.

    Even if the request is polite, the grammar requires the imperative-subjunctive mood. Politeness is expressed by the main verb (e.g., 'kér' vs 'parancsol').

  • Keeping the verbal prefix before the verb.

    Azt mondta, hogy elmenjek.
    Azt mondta, hogy menjek el.

    In imperative-subjunctive clauses, the verbal prefix typically separates and moves behind the verb.

How It Connects

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

hogy + ImperativeLevel 4Reported Commands

Learn This First

To form reported commands, you must first understand the imperative-subjunctive mood (both definite and indefinite forms) and understand how to structure subordinate clauses using the conjunction 'hogy'. Additionally, since commands often involve prefixed verbs, you need to know how verbal prefixes behave in the imperative mood.

Words in This Pattern

hogy