How to Use Conditional Sentences and If-Clauses in Hungarian

Understanding Conditional Sentences in Hungarian

Conditional sentences, also known as if-clauses, express situations that depend on a certain condition. In Hungarian, these sentences are commonly formed using the conditional mood, which is distinct from English but serves a similar purpose.

The Structure of If-Clauses in Hungarian

Hungarian conditional sentences typically consist of two parts: the if-clause (feltételes mellékmondat) and the main clause (főmondat). The if-clause states the condition, and the main clause expresses the result or consequence.

Example:
Ha esik az eső, otthon maradok.
Translation: If it rains, I stay at home.

Forming the Conditional Mood in Hungarian

The conditional mood in Hungarian is formed by adding specific suffixes to the verb stem. The most common suffixes are -na or -ne, which agree with vowel harmony rules.

For example:

• menni (to go) → menne (would go)
• venni (to take/buy) → venne (would take/buy)

Using 'Ha' to Introduce Conditions

The word ha means "if" in Hungarian and is used to introduce the conditional clause. It is placed at the beginning of the if-clause.

Example:
Ha tanulnál, sikeres lennél.
Translation: If you studied, you would be successful.

Examples of Conditional Sentences in Hungarian

Here are some common examples to illustrate conditional sentences:

• Ha eszem, boldog vagyok. (If I eat, I am happy.)
• Ha lenne időm, elmennék moziba. (If I had time, I would go to the cinema.)
• Ha tudnád, segítenél. (If you knew, you would help.)
• Ha esik az eső, nem megyünk ki. (If it rains, we won't go out.)

Differences Between Hungarian and English Conditionals

Unlike English, Hungarian does not use auxiliary verbs like "would" explicitly in all cases. Instead, the conditional mood suffixes convey this meaning. Also, Hungarian conditionals can be more flexible in word order but usually follow the pattern of 'Ha' + condition + main clause.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When learning Hungarian conditionals, watch out for these common errors:

• Forgetting to use the conditional suffix -na/-ne in the main clause.
• Misplacing the word ha within the sentence.
• Using the indicative mood instead of the conditional mood when expressing hypothetical situations.