How to Use the Imperative Mood to Give Commands in Hungarian

Understanding the Imperative Mood in Hungarian

The imperative mood is used to give commands, make requests, or offer invitations. In Hungarian, forming the imperative is quite straightforward but differs depending on the person (second person singular, plural, or first person plural) and the verb type.

Basic Formation of the Imperative

In Hungarian, the imperative is primarily used with the second person singular (you), second person plural (you all), and first person plural (let's). The verb stem is modified with specific endings or sometimes no ending at all, depending on the verb and the person.

Second Person Singular Imperative

For most verbs, the second person singular imperative is formed by using the verb stem without any ending. For example, the verb menni (to go) becomes menj (go!). However, some verbs have irregular forms or require a suffix like -j or -d.

Examples:

• Menj! (Go!)
• Várj! (Wait!)
• Olvass! (Read!)

Second Person Plural Imperative

To address multiple people, add the suffix -atok/-etek/-ötök to the verb stem, depending on vowel harmony rules.

Examples:

• Menjetek! (You all go!)
• Várjatok! (You all wait!)
• Olvassatok! (You all read!)

First Person Plural Imperative (Let's)

To express "let's do something," add the suffix -junk/-jünk to the verb stem, again following vowel harmony.

Examples:

• Menjünk! (Let's go!)
• Várjunk! (Let's wait!)
• Olvassunk! (Let's read!)

Negative Imperative Forms

To make a command negative, use the word ne before the verb in the imperative form.

Examples:

• Ne menj! (Don't go!)
• Ne várjatok! (Don't wait, you all!)
• Ne olvassunk! (Let's not read!)

Politeness and Formal Commands

Hungarian does not have a formal imperative form like some other languages. To be polite, speakers often use the conditional mood or add polite phrases instead of the imperative.

Example polite request:

• Kérem, menjen! (Please, go!)

Common Irregular Imperative Verbs

Some verbs have irregular imperative forms that you should memorize.

• Lenni (to be): legyél (you be), legyetek (you all be), legyünk (let's be)
• Enni (to eat): egyél, egyetek, együnk
• Inni (to drink): igyál, igyatok, igyunk

Summary: Steps to Form Imperative Commands in Hungarian

1. Identify the verb stem by removing the infinitive ending (-ni).
2. For second person singular, use the stem or add -j/-d if needed.
3. For second person plural, add -atok/-etek/-ötök according to vowel harmony.
4. For first person plural (let's), add -junk/-jünk following vowel harmony.
5. Use ne before the verb to make negative commands.
6. Use polite phrases or conditional mood for formal requests.