Understanding the Infinitive Form and Its Uses in Hungarian for English Speakers

What is the Infinitive Form in Hungarian?

In Hungarian, the infinitive form of a verb is the basic, unconjugated form that corresponds to the English "to" + verb, such as "to eat" or "to run." It is typically formed by adding the suffix -ni to the verb stem. For example, the verb "to speak" is beszélni.

How to Form the Infinitive in Hungarian

Most Hungarian verbs form the infinitive by adding -ni to the verb stem. For example:

• beszél (to speak) → beszélni
• ír (to write) → írni
• olvas (to read) → olvasni

Note that the infinitive is a single, unchanging form regardless of the subject or tense.

Uses of the Infinitive in Hungarian

The infinitive in Hungarian is used in several ways, some of which differ from English usage. Here are the main uses:

• After modal verbs to express ability, necessity, or permission (e.g., akarok menni – "I want to go")
• To express purpose, often with the particle hogy or azért, hogy (e.g., Azért jöttem, hogy segítsek – "I came to help")
• After certain verbs that require an infinitive complement
• In some fixed expressions and commands

Infinitive with Modal Verbs

Modal verbs like akar (want), kell (must), and tud (can) are followed by the infinitive without the particle to as in English. For example:

• Szeretnék enni. (I would like to eat.)
• Kell menni. (One must go.)
• Tudok úszni. (I can swim.)

Expressing Purpose with the Infinitive

Hungarian often uses the infinitive to express purpose, usually introduced by hogy or azért, hogy. For example:

• Azért tanulok magyarul, hogy megértsem a kultúrát. (I study Hungarian in order to understand the culture.)
• Eljöttem, hogy segítsek. (I came to help.)

Common Mistakes English Speakers Make with the Hungarian Infinitive

English speakers sometimes try to use the infinitive with to directly or confuse the use of hogy. Remember that Hungarian infinitives always end with -ni and that the particle to is not used before the infinitive.