Speech-Participant Objects

Level 2

The -lak/-lek suffix is a unique Hungarian verb ending that means 'I [verb] you'. It combines the subject ('I') and the object ('you') into a single word.

How It Works

In Hungarian, when the direct object (accusative case) of a sentence is a first- or second-person pronoun ('me', 'us', 'you'), the verb generally takes the indefinite conjugation (e.g., Látnak engem - They see me). However, there is one unique exception: when the subject is 'I' and the direct object is 'you' (informal), a special set of suffixes is used instead. Note that this only applies when 'you' is the direct object. If 'you' is the indirect object (neked/nektek), standard definite or indefinite conjugation rules apply based on the direct object (e.g., Adok neked egy könyvet - I give you a book; Odaadom neked a könyvet - I give you the book).

1. The 'I → You' Suffixes:
Depending on the tense and mood, specific suffixes indicate 'I [verb] you'. Like most suffixes, they follow vowel harmony rules:

  • Present Tense (-lak/-lek): várlak (I wait for you), kérlek (I ask you).
  • Past Tense: Take the 3rd-person singular definite past tense form and add -lak/-lek. Examples: várta + lak = vártalak (I waited for you), festette + lek = festettelek (I painted you), hívta + lak = hívtalak (I called you).
  • Future Tense: The main verb remains in the infinitive, and the suffix attaches to the auxiliary verb fog. Because fog is a back-vowel verb, it always takes -lak, regardless of the main verb's vowels. Examples: látni foglak (I will see you), szeretni foglak (I will love you).
  • Conditional Mood (-nálak/-nélek): várnálak (I would wait for you), kérnélek (I would ask you).
  • Subjunctive Mood (-jalak/-jelek, etc.): Used in commands or subordinate clauses. Examples: Akarod, hogy hívjalak? (Do you want me to call you?), lássalak (that I see you).

2. Link Vowels in the Present Tense:
A link vowel (-a- or -e-) is added for pronunciation if a verb stem ends in two consonants or a long vowel followed by '-t':

  • segít (help) → segítelek (I help you).
  • fest (paint) → festelek (I paint you).

Note: Verbs with a short vowel before '-t' usually do not take a link vowel (e.g., ütlek), and látlak (I see you) is a common exception that also lacks one.

3. Singular vs. Plural 'You':
These special suffixes are used whether you are talking to one person (te) or multiple people (ti). The context or the addition of the pronoun titeket clarifies the number.

4. Formal Register:
These suffixes are strictly informal. If you are using the formal 'you' (Ön/Maga), you must use the standard definite conjugation instead (e.g., Szeretem Önt).

Examples (5)

  1. Szeretlek.

    I love you.

    Word by Word: I-love-you.

    The most common use of the suffix. 'Szeret' (love) is a front-vowel verb, so it takes '-lek'.

  2. Várlak a ház előtt.

    I am waiting for you in front of the house.

    Word by Word: I-wait-you the house before.

    'Vár' (wait) is a back-vowel verb, so it takes '-lak'.

  3. Kérlek, segíts nekem!

    I ask you (please), help me!

    Word by Word: I-ask-you, help to-me!

    'Kérlek' is the literal way to say 'I ask you' and is the standard word for 'please' in this context.

  4. Alig várlak titeket!

    I can hardly wait for you all!

    Word by Word: Hardly I-wait-you you(plural-acc)!

    This shows that -lak/-lek can also refer to a plural 'you' (titeket).

  5. Holnap felhívlak.

    I will call you tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Tomorrow up-call-I-you.

    Note that the verbal prefix 'fel-' stays attached in this neutral sentence.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -lak/-lek for 'We ... you'.

    Látunklak téged.
    Látunk téged.

    The -lak/-lek suffix ONLY applies when the subject is 'I'. If the subject is 'We', use the standard indefinite conjugation with the pronoun 'téged'.

  • Using -lak/-lek in formal situations.

    Szeretlek, Kovács úr.
    Szeretem Önt, Kovács úr.

    The -lak/-lek suffix is informal (te/ti). For formal address (Ön), you must use the definite conjugation.

  • Forgetting the link vowel after long vowels or double consonants.

    Segítlek.
    Segítelek.

    Verbs ending in a long vowel + '-t' (like segít) or in a cluster of consonants (like fest) need a link vowel (-e-/-a-) before the suffix: segítelek, festelek. Stems with a short vowel + '-t' usually do not (e.g., ütlek).

How It Connects

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

Speech-Participant ObjectsLevel 2

Learn This First

To understand how first- and second-person objects work, you must first know that they are treated as 'indefinite' by the verb, requiring the indefinite conjugation. You also need to know the accusative forms of personal pronouns and the special -lak/-lek suffix used when 'I' acts on 'you'.

Words in This Pattern

-lak-lek