Hungarian Verbs - Definite and Indefinite Conjugations

Definite and Indefinite Conjugations

In Hungarian, verbs not only show agreement with their subjects but also carry information on the definiteness of their direct objects. This results in two types of conjugations: definite (used if there is a definite object) and indefinite (if there is no definite object):

Basically, the indefinite conjugation is used if there is no definite object, that is i) if there is no object at all, or ii) if the object is indefinite (see details below). However, exceptionally, the indefinite conjugation is also used if the object is a 1st or 2nd person pronoun, either stated or not (even though personal pronouns are actually definite by nature).

An object is indefinite if it is:

1. a noun with no determiner
2. a noun with an indefinite article
3. a noun with a numeral or an indefinite determiner (e.g. "all, some, no")
4. an indefinite pronoun such as "something, anything, everyone" etc.
5. an interrogative pronoun
6. a relative pronoun

The definite conjugation is used if the verb has a definite object, which can be:

1. a noun with a definite article
2. a noun with the determiners melyik, hányadik ('which') or mindegyik ('each'); the noun may be omitted in these constructions
3. a 3rd person pronoun, either stated or unstated
4. a demonstrative pronoun ("this, that")
5. the indefinite pronoun mind ('all ')
6. a subordinate clause

Note that a special suffix (-lak/-lek) is used if the verb has a first person singular subject AND a second person (singular or plural) object, e.g. Szeretlek. ("I love you." - singular), Szeretlek titeket. ("I love you all." - plural).

Examples: