Verbal Prefixes

Level 2

Hungarian verbal prefixes are small words like meg-, el-, ki-, and be- that attach to verbs. They function like English phrasal verb particles (e.g., 'up' in 'stand up') but follow strict word-order rules.

How It Works

Hungarian igekötők are essential to become proficient in natural speech. Unlike suffixes, they do not follow vowel harmony.

1. Functions:

  • Directional: ki- (out), be- (in). Example: megy (goes) → kimegy (goes out).
  • Aspectual: The prefix meg- often indicates completion.
  • Lexical: They change meanings: ad (gives) vs elad (sells).

2. Word Order and Spelling:
The position of the prefix determines how it is written:

  • One word: When the prefix is immediately before the verb in a neutral sentence, it is written as a single word (e.g., elmegyek).
  • Separate words: When the prefix moves after the verb or is separated by another word, it is written separately (e.g., nem megyek el, el kell menni, el is megyek).

3. The 'Split' (Separation and Post-verbal position):
The prefix separates from the verb or moves after it in these cases:

  • Negation: Nem megyek el.
  • Imperatives: Menj el! (Positive) or Ne menj el! (Negative command). Note that in subordinate subjunctive clauses, the prefix usually remains attached to the front of the verb (e.g., Azt akarom, hogy elmenj.).
  • Progressive Aspect: When an action is happening right now: Éppen megyek be.
  • Focus: Emphasized words or question words take the spot before the verb, pushing the prefix after the verb. For example: Mikor mész el? (When are you leaving?) or Péter megy el. (PETER is leaving). Note that neutral Yes/No Questions do not split the prefix: Elmész? (Are you leaving?).
  • Also / Too: The particle is splits the prefix and the verb, but the prefix remains in front: El is megyek.

4. Prefix Climbing:
With auxiliaries like akar, kell, tud, or fog, the prefix moves to the front: El kell menni. However, in negative sentences, the prefix remains attached to the infinitive: Nem kell elmenni.

Examples (5)

  1. Péter megírja a levelet.

    Peter will write the letter (and finish it).

    Word by Word: Peter [prefix]-writes the letter.

    The prefix 'meg-' indicates that the action of writing will be completed (perfective aspect).

  2. Éppen megyek be a házba.

    I am just now going into the house.

    Word by Word: Just-now I-go in the house-into.

    In the progressive aspect (action happening right now), the prefix 'be' moves after the verb.

  3. Ne menj el!

    Don't leave!

    Word by Word: Not go-you away!

    With the negative command particle 'ne', the prefix 'el' must follow the verb.

  4. El kell menni a boltba.

    One must go to the shop.

    Word by Word: Away must to-go the shop-into.

    With the auxiliary 'kell' (must), the prefix 'el' climbs to the position before the auxiliary.

  5. Mikor mész el?

    When are you leaving?

    Word by Word: When go-you away?

    The question word 'Mikor' takes the focus position, forcing the prefix 'el' to move after the verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the prefix attached to the verb in a negative command.

    Ne elmenj!
    Ne menj el!

    When using ne for commands, the prefix must always follow the verb.

  • Using the prefix before the verb for an ongoing, progressive action.

    Éppen bemegyek.
    Éppen megyek be.

    If you want to emphasize that an action is currently in progress (often used with 'éppen'), the prefix moves after the verb.

  • Forgetting to 'climb' the prefix when using 'must' or 'want'.

    Kell elmenni.
    El kell menni.

    When an auxiliary verb like kell is used, the prefix usually moves to the position before the auxiliary.

How It Connects

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Verbal PrefixesLevel 2

Learn This First

To understand verbal prefixes, you must first be comfortable with basic verb conjugation and sentence structure. Because prefixes in Hungarian are 'separable'—meaning they move behind the verb in negative sentences or for specific emphasis—knowing how to negate a verb and how basic word order works is necessary to see where the prefix should be placed.

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Patterns that build on this one.