Wh-Ever Reduplication
In formal and literary Hungarian, reduplicating the question word ki (who) creates ki-ki, which means 'each person respectively' or 'everyone individually'. It is most commonly encountered in proverbs and fixed expressions.
How It Works
Understanding the syntax and true meaning of ki-ki is crucial for advanced learners to avoid sounding unnatural.
1. Meaning and False Friends
In modern usage, ki-ki is a universal or distributive pronoun ('each one', 'everyone individually'), rather than the ordinary way to say 'whoever'. Today, 'whoever' or 'anyone' is expressed using bárki or akárki. Using ki-ki to mean 'whoever' is a common semantic error. Furthermore, ki-ki is generally restricted to humans (since ki means 'who'), though it can occasionally be used for inanimate objects or abstract concepts in rare or poetic contexts.
2. The Distributive Requirement and Dependent Variables
When using ki-ki, the sentence generally requires a dependent variable (a distributive share) that varies for each person. A sentence like "Ki-ki intelligens volt" (Each was intelligent) sounds unnatural because it lacks this variable. However, static states are perfectly grammatical if a dependent variable is present (e.g., Ki-ki intelligensebb volt a bátyjánál. 'Each was more intelligent than their own older brother.'). It is frequently paired with the reflexive pronoun maga, standard possessive suffixes, or relative clauses, to mean 'each their own...'
3. Morphology and Suffixation
The word is formed by exact, hyphenated reduplication. When declined for case, both elements of the reduplicated pronoun must be declined (e.g., kinek-kinek 'to each', kit-kit 'each person' [accusative]). Suffixes with vowel harmony or assimilated consonants apply to both halves identically (e.g., kivel-kivel 'with each', kiről-kiről 'about each'). However, unlike case suffixes, postpositions are placed only once, after the second element (e.g., ki-ki számára 'for each', ki-ki szerint 'according to each').
4. Verb Agreement
Even though ki-ki refers to a plurality of people, it strictly takes 3rd-person singular verb agreement. Possession refers back to each individual: Ki-ki teszi a dolgát. means 'Each does their job.' The possessed things need not be singular: Ki-ki elhozta a könyveit. means 'Each brought their books.' Here könyveit marks several books belonging to one person at a time; plural possessors would require a different interpretation.
5. Register and Common Phrases
This pattern is formal, literary, and slightly archaic in its full syntactic use. However, it survives in everyday colloquial language through highly common phrases like ki-ki alapon (going Dutch / paying for oneself on an each-each basis) and ki-ki meccs (a decisive, do-or-die match).
Examples (4)
- Ki-ki a maga szerencséjének kovácsa.
Everyone is the architect of their own fortune.
Word by Word: Each-each the himself luck's smith.
A famous proverb demonstrating the classic structure: ki-ki paired with 'maga' (oneself/own).
- A vendégek közül ki-ki a maga útján indult haza.
The guests went home, each on their own way.
Word by Word: The guests among each-each the himself way-on started home.
Shows how ki-ki distributes an action among members of a plural group (the guests).
- Kinek-kinek a maga ízlése szerint.
To each according to their own taste.
Word by Word: To-each-to-each the himself taste according-to.
Demonstrates case suffixation. Here, the dative suffix -nek is attached to both halves, which is the mandatory grammatical rule for declining ki-ki.
- A versenyzők közül ki-ki a maga tempójában haladt.
The competitors progressed, each at their own pace.
Word by Word: The competitors among each-each the himself pace-in progressed.
Another example of ki-ki distributing an action (progressing) over a dependent variable (their own pace).
Common Mistakes
Using ki-ki to mean 'whoever' or 'anyone'.
Ki-ki jön, szívesen látjuk.Bárki jön, szívesen látjuk.In Modern Hungarian, ki-ki means 'each individually', not 'whoever'. To express 'whoever' or 'anyone', you must use bárki or akárki.
Using ki-ki without a dependent variable (distributive share).
Ki-ki fáradt volt.Mindenki fáradt volt.Sentences with ki-ki generally require a dependent variable that varies for each person (e.g., 'Ki-ki a maga székén pihent' - Each rested in their own chair). If you simply want to state a general fact about a group without a dependent variable, use mindenki (everyone) instead.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand free-choice reduplication (e.g., 'ki-ki', 'hol-hol'), you must first be familiar with basic Hungarian question words (Wh-words) which serve as the base for the construction. It is also helpful to understand how Hungarian expresses 'any-' or 'ever-' using prefixes like 'akár-', as reduplication is a stylistic alternative to these forms.
- bárki / akárkiAnyone
This pattern is functionally related to 'akár-' and 'bár-' indefinite pronouns, representing a more emphatic or colloquial way to express 'anyone' or 'anything'.
Level 3 - Question-Word Focus
Understanding how question words behave in a sentence is necessary because reduplicated Wh-words often occupy specific focus or topic positions.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- minden / mindegyikEvery and Each
Contrasts the collective 'mindenki' (everyone as a group) with the strictly distributive 'ki-ki' (each person individually).
Level 3 - magaReflexive Pronouns
The reflexive pronoun 'maga' is the essential 'distributive share' that almost always accompanies ki-ki in a sentence.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice Wh-Ever Reduplication in Bubblegum
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