minél... annál...
The More … the More
Use minél + comparative to set the condition, and annál + comparative to show the result.
How It Works
The minél... annál... construction is the standard way in Hungarian to express a proportional relationship between two variables.
1. Structure and Punctuation:
The construction consists of two clauses. The minél clause is the subordinate (dependent) clause, while the annál clause is the main (independent) clause. In Hungarian, these two clauses must always be separated by a comma. Note that mennél is a folksy colloquial variant of minél.
2. Morphology and the Zero Copula:
Both clauses require a word in the comparative form (usually an adjective or adverb). When the predicate is in the third-person singular present tense, Hungarian uses the zero copula, meaning the verb van is omitted:
- Minél gyorsabb, annál jobb. (The faster [it is], the better [it is].)
3. Emphasis with 'is':
It is very common to add the particle is (also/even) to the annál clause to emphasize the proportional relationship:
- Minél többet gyakorolsz, annál jobb is leszel. (The more you practice, the better you will become.)
4. Proportional Intensity (Verbs):
To express 'the more' regarding the intensity of a verb that doesn't have a comparative form, use the variation minél inkább... annál inkább...:
- Minél inkább szeretem, annál inkább féltem. (The more I love him, the more I worry for him.)
5. Quantifiers:
To express 'the more' or 'the less' regarding quantities, use the comparative forms of sok (many/much) or kevés (few/little):
- Több (more) / Kevesebb (less)
- Többet (more - as an object or adverbial amount)
6. Word Order and Emphasis:
In the annál clause, the comparative word typically moves to the focus position (directly before the verb). While minél usually starts the sentence, the order can be reversed to shift focus to the result: Annál jobb, minél előbb jössz. (It is the better, the sooner you come.)
Examples (4)
- Minél többet gyakorolsz, annál könnyebb lesz a vizsga.
The more you practice, the easier the exam will be.
Word by Word: Than-what more-ACC practice-you, than-that easier will-be the exam.
Note the use of 'többet' (more) and 'könnyebb' (easier) in their comparative forms.
- Minél hamarabb fejezzük be a munkát, annál előbb mehetünk haza.
The sooner we finish the work, the earlier we can go home.
Word by Word: Than-what sooner finish-we [prefix] the work, than-that earlier go-can-we home.
This uses comparative adverbs of time: 'hamarabb' (sooner) and 'előbb' (earlier).
- Minél nagyobb a ház, annál drágább a rezsi.
The bigger the house, the more expensive the utilities are.
Word by Word: Than-what bigger the house, than-that more-expensive the utilities.
In this sentence, the 'van' (is) is omitted in the third person singular, following the zero copula rule.
- Minél kevesebb cukrot eszel, annál egészségesebb leszel.
The less sugar you eat, the healthier you will be.
Word by Word: Than-what less sugar-ACC eat-you, than-that healthier be-will-you.
Uses the comparative 'kevesebb' (less) to show a negative correlation.
Common Mistakes
Using the positive degree instead of the comparative degree.
Minél jó, annál szép.Minél jobb, annál szebb.In Hungarian, you must use the comparative form (ending in -bb) for both parts of the correlation, even if the English 'the... the...' doesn't always sound like a comparative.
Omitting the word 'annál' in the second clause.
Minél többet várunk, a helyzet rosszabb lesz.Minél többet várunk, annál rosszabb lesz a helyzet.While English uses 'the' twice, Hungarian requires the specific relative-demonstrative pair 'minél' and 'annál' to be grammatically complete.
Forgetting the comma between the two clauses.
Minél többet tanulsz annál okosabb leszel.Minél többet tanulsz, annál okosabb leszel.In Hungarian orthography, a comma is mandatory to separate the subordinate 'minél' clause from the main 'annál' clause.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To become confident with the 'minél... annál...' (the more... the more...) construction, you must first be comfortable forming comparative adjectives and adverbs using the '-bb' suffix. Additionally, since the construction is built using the adessive case forms of relative and demonstrative pronouns, you should understand how the '-nál/-nél' suffix functions and how it attaches to the demonstrative 'az'.
- -bbComparative Adjectives
The 'minél... annál...' construction requires the use of comparative adjectives or adverbs in both clauses to express the correlated change.
Level 1 - ez / azThis and That
The word 'annál' is the adessive case form of the demonstrative pronoun 'az', which serves as the correlative partner to 'minél'.
Level 1 - -nál/-nélAt / by
Understanding the adessive case suffix is necessary to recognize the formation of 'annál' and 'minél' (which is derived from the relative/interrogative root + -nál).
Level 1
Related Patterns
- mintThan with Mint
While 'mint' is used for simple comparisons ('A is bigger than B'), 'annál' is used for clausal correlations.
Level 1 - Focus Position
The comparative word in the 'annál' clause usually occupies the focus position.
Level 2 - sok / kevés + Singular NounMany and Few
These quantifiers are frequently used in their comparative forms (több, kevesebb) within this pattern.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice minél... annál... in Bubblegum
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