akar + Infinitive

Want to

Level 1

The verb akar (to want) is followed by a verb in the infinitive form (ending in -ni) to say what you want to do.

How It Works

1. Conjugation and Vowel Harmony
Akar is a back-vowel verb. You must use indefinite or definite back-vowel suffixes:

  • Indefinite: akarok, akarsz, akar, akarunk, akartok, akarnak
  • Definite: akarom, akarod, akarja, akarjuk, akarjátok, akarják
  • 2nd-Person Object: akarlak

Note that the second verb remains strictly in its dictionary infinitive form without personal suffixes (e.g., menni, not mennem).

2. The Definiteness Rule
The conjugation of 'akar' depends on the object of the following infinitive:

  • Use indefinite if there is no object, an indefinite object (e.g., Egy almát akarok enni), or a 1st/2nd person pronoun (e.g., engem, téged).
  • Use definite if there is a definite object, such as a noun with 'a/az', a proper name, a demonstrative (e.g., Azt akarom látni - I want to see that), or a 3rd person personal pronoun (e.g., Őt akarom látni - I want to see him/her). Note that formal 'you' pronouns (Ön, Önök, maga, maguk) are grammatically 3rd person and therefore trigger the definite conjugation (e.g., Látni akarom Önt).
  • Special Case: If the subject is 'I' (én) and the object is 'you' (singular or plural), use the -lak suffix: Látni akarlak (I want to see you).

3. Word Order and Negation
If the infinitive has a verbal prefix (like el-, meg-, be-), the prefix usually splits and moves in front of akar in neutral sentences:

  • El akarok menni. (I want to leave.)

However, if another element is emphasized in the focus position, or in negative sentences, the prefix does not split; it stays attached to the infinitive:

  • Ma akarok elmenni. (I want to leave today.)
  • Nem akarok elmenni. (I don't want to leave.)

4. Social Nuance
Akar is very direct. To be polite, Hungarians often prefer szeretne (would like). Note that szeretne follows the exact same definiteness and prefix-splitting rules as akar (e.g., El szeretnék menni).

Examples (6)

  1. Tanulni akarok.

    I want to study.

    Word by Word: To study I want.

    A simple sentence with no object, so 'akar' uses the indefinite first-person singular ending.

  2. Mit akarsz csinálni ma?

    What do you want to do today?

    Word by Word: What-acc you-want to-do today?

    In questions with 'mit' (what), the indefinite conjugation is used.

  3. Meg akarom nézni a filmet.

    I want to watch the movie.

    Word by Word: Prefix I-want to-watch the movie-acc.

    Because 'the movie' is definite, 'akar' uses the definite ending (-om). Also, the prefix 'meg-' moves before 'akar'.

  4. Látni akarlak.

    I want to see you.

    Word by Word: To-see I-want-you.

    When the subject is 'I' (én) and the object of the infinitive is 'you' (téged/titeket), the verb 'akar' takes the special -lak suffix.

  5. Nem akarunk elmenni.

    We don't want to leave.

    Word by Word: Not we-want away-to-go.

    In negative sentences, the verbal prefix ('el-') stays attached to the infinitive and does not move in front of 'akar'.

  6. Kenyeret akarnak venni.

    They want to buy bread.

    Word by Word: Bread-acc they-want to-buy.

    Since 'bread' is an indefinite object (no article), the indefinite conjugation 'akarnak' is used.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong conjugation for definite objects.

    Akarok látni a várost.
    Akarom látni a várost.

    Because 'a várost' (the city) is a definite object, you must use the definite form 'akarom' instead of the indefinite 'akarok'.

  • Incorrect verbal prefix placement in neutral sentences.

    Akarok elmenni.
    El akarok menni.

    In a neutral statement, the verbal prefix (el-) should move in front of the conjugated verb (akarok).

  • Using 'akar' in polite situations.

    Kávét akarok.
    Kávét szeretnék.

    Using 'akar' at a cafe can sound demanding. Use 'szeretnék' (I would like) to be polite.

How It Connects

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akar + InfinitiveLevel 1Want to

Learn This First

To use 'akar' (to want) with another verb, you must first understand how to form the infinitive using the -ni suffix. Additionally, since 'akar' is a transitive verb that conjugates according to the definiteness of the object following the infinitive, you need to be familiar with both indefinite and definite present-tense verb endings.

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akar