akár... akár...

Whether … or / Either … or

Level 4

Use akár... akár... to say 'whether... or...' when you want to show that the choice between two options doesn't change the outcome.

How It Works

The construction akár... akár... is used to express that a specific condition or choice is irrelevant to the main point of the sentence.

1. Usage and Meaning
It is translated as 'whether... or...' or 'no matter if... or...'. It implies that the outcome remains the same regardless of which option is true. Unlike 'vagy... vagy...', which presents an exclusive choice, akár... akár... is inclusive and concessive.

2. Grammatical Structure and Mood

  • It precedes the elements it links (nouns, verbs, adjectives, or whole clauses).
  • Mood Choice: The choice of mood is semantic. The indicative is used for factual or existing states (e.g., Akár hiszed, akár nem... - Whether you believe it or not). The imperative-subjunctive mood is used for hypothetical, future, or concessive scenarios (e.g., Akár essen, akár fújjon... - No matter if it rains or the wind blows).
  • It is a standalone pair; it does not change based on vowel harmony.

3. Multiple Elements and Standalone Use
While often used in pairs, the construction can link more than two elements (e.g., akár A, akár B, akár C). Note that when akár is used alone (not as a pair), it functions as an adverb meaning 'even' or 'as much as' (e.g., Akár százan is eljöhetnek - Even a hundred people might come).

4. Register and Nuance
This pattern is versatile, appearing in both formal writing and everyday spoken Hungarian. It can link single words (akár ma, akár holnap) or entire subordinate clauses to provide a logical, balanced structure to your thoughts.

Examples (6)

  1. Akár esik, akár fúj, elindulunk.

    Whether it rains or the wind blows, we are setting off.

    Word by Word: Whether falls, whether blows, we-set-off.

    This is a classic idiomatic expression using the pattern to show determination regardless of weather.

  2. Akár hiszed, akár nem, ez az igazság.

    Whether you believe it or not, this is the truth.

    Word by Word: Whether you-believe-it, whether not, this the truth.

    Here, the pattern links a verb and a negation to show the truth is independent of the listener's belief.

  3. Akár te csináltad, akár ő, valakinek fizetnie kell.

    Whether you did it or he did, someone has to pay.

    Word by Word: Whether you did-it, whether he, someone-to pay must.

    This shows the pattern linking two different subjects in the past tense.

  4. Akár jöjjön, akár maradjon, én nem szólok bele.

    Whether he comes or stays, I won't interfere.

    Word by Word: Whether come-he, whether stay-he, I not speak-in.

    This example demonstrates the use of the imperative-subjunctive mood, which is common in formal or emphatic indifference.

  5. Akár tetszik, akár nem, meg kell csinálnod.

    Whether you like it or not, you must do it.

    Word by Word: Whether it-pleases, whether not, [prefix] must you-do-it.

    Uses prefix climbing with kell in the main clause.

  6. Akár busszal mész, akár vonattal, egy óra az út.

    Whether you go by bus or by train, the trip is one hour.

    Word by Word: Whether bus-with you-go, whether train-with, one hour the way.

    The pattern links two nouns in the instrumental case.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'akár... akár...' for a simple choice where the selection matters.

    Akár kávét kérsz, akár teát?
    Kávét kérsz vagy teát?

    If you are asking someone to make a choice (e.g., at a cafe), use 'vagy'. Using 'akár' implies you don't care what they drink, which sounds dismissive or strange in a question.

  • Mixing the pair with 'vagy'.

    Akár esik, vagy fúj, elmegyünk.
    Akár esik, akár fúj, elmegyünk.

    The pattern must be consistent. Always use 'akár' for both parts of the correlative pair.

How It Connects

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

akár... akár...Level 4Whether … or / Either … or

Learn This First

The 'akár... akár...' construction is a correlative conjunction used to present two or more alternatives, meaning 'whether... or...' or 'either... or...'. To understand this, learners should be familiar with the 'akár-' prefix (seen in words like 'akárki') which denotes lack of restriction, and have a solid grasp of basic Hungarian sentence structure and coordinating conjunctions.

Words in This Pattern

akár