Welcome to Lesson 10 of the Hungarian language course from the Latinum Institute. For a complete index of lessons, please visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
In Hungarian, the English word "it" is typically expressed using the demonstrative pronouns ez (this) or az (that). Unlike English, Hungarian makes a distinction based on proximity: ez refers to something close to the speaker, while az refers to something farther away. Additionally, when "it" is the subject of a sentence with the verb "to be," Hungarian often omits the pronoun entirely in the present tense.
Q: What does "it" mean in Hungarian? A: In Hungarian, "it" is usually translated as "ez" (this) when referring to something nearby, or "az" (that) when referring to something farther away. In many cases where English uses "it," Hungarian may omit the pronoun entirely.
In this lesson, we will explore various uses of "ez" and "az" as equivalents of the English "it," including: -
Subject pronouns in simple sentences -
Object references -
Demonstrative uses -
Cases where Hungarian omits the pronoun entirely -
Idiomatic expressions
Course: Hungarian Language Learning Level: Beginner Topic: Pronouns - "it" (ez/az) Learning Objectives: - Understand the difference between ez and az - Learn when to use each form - Recognize when Hungarian omits pronouns - Master basic sentence patterns with demonstrative pronouns Target Audience: English-speaking autodidacts
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Hungarian distinguishes between "this" (ez) and "that" (az) where English uses "it" -
The choice depends on physical or conceptual proximity -
Hungarian often omits pronouns in sentences where English requires "it" -
These pronouns change form based on grammatical case -
Context determines which form to use
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10.1 Ez this egy a könyv book
10.2 Az that szép beautiful virág flower
10.3 Látom I-see azt that-[accusative]
10.4 Ez this nem not jó good
10.5 Hol where van is az? that?
10.6 Szeretem I-love ezt this-[accusative] a the filmet film-[accusative]
10.7 Az that az the én my táskám bag
10.8 Kérem please ezt this-[accusative] a the kenyeret bread-[accusative]
10.9 Hideg cold van is ma today
10.10 Ez this volt was a the probléma problem
10.11 Tudom I-know, hogy that az that igaz true
10.12 Fontos important ezt this-[accusative] megérteni to-understand
10.13 Az that ott there a the macska cat
10.14 Nehéz difficult volt was
10.15 Ez this itt here az the új new ház house
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10.1 Ez egy könyv. This is a book.
10.2 Az szép virág. That is a beautiful flower.
10.3 Látom azt. I see it.
10.4 Ez nem jó. This is not good.
10.5 Hol van az? Where is it?
10.6 Szeretem ezt a filmet. I love this film.
10.7 Az az én táskám. That is my bag.
10.8 Kérem ezt a kenyeret. I would like this bread, please.
10.9 Hideg van ma. It is cold today.
10.10 Ez volt a probléma. This was the problem.
10.11 Tudom, hogy az igaz. I know that it is true.
10.12 Fontos ezt megérteni. It is important to understand this.
10.13 Az ott a macska. That there is the cat.
10.14 Nehéz volt. It was difficult.
10.15 Ez itt az új ház. This here is the new house.
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10.1 Ez egy könyv.
10.2 Az szép virág.
10.3 Látom azt.
10.4 Ez nem jó.
10.5 Hol van az?
10.6 Szeretem ezt a filmet.
10.7 Az az én táskám.
10.8 Kérem ezt a kenyeret.
10.9 Hideg van ma.
10.10 Ez volt a probléma.
10.11 Tudom, hogy az igaz.
10.12 Fontos ezt megérteni.
10.13 Az ott a macska.
10.14 Nehéz volt.
10.15 Ez itt az új ház.
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The Hungarian equivalents of "it" follow specific patterns that differ significantly from English:
1. Basic Forms: -
ez = this (near the speaker) -
az = that (away from the speaker)
2. Case Endings: Hungarian demonstrative pronouns change form based on their grammatical function:
Nominative (subject): ez, az Accusative (direct object): ezt, azt Dative (to/for): ennek, annak Instrumental (with): ezzel, azzal Locative cases: ezen/ebben/ebbe (various "in/on/into" meanings for "this") azon/abban/abba (various "in/on/into" meanings for "that")
3. When Hungarian Omits "It": Unlike English, Hungarian often drops the pronoun entirely: -
Weather expressions: "Esik" (rains) instead of "It rains" -
Time expressions: "Három óra" (three o'clock) instead of "It is three o'clock" -
Impersonal constructions: "Fontos" (important) instead of "It is important"
4. Word Order Considerations: -
Hungarian word order is more flexible than English -
The demonstrative can appear at various positions for emphasis -
"Ez a könyv" (this book) vs. "A könyv ez" (the book is this)
-
Using ez/az when none is needed -
Wrong: Ez hideg van (It cold is) -
Correct: Hideg van (It is cold) -
Confusing proximity -
Using "ez" for distant objects or "az" for nearby objects -
Remember: ez = close, az = far -
Forgetting case endings -
Wrong: Látom ez (I see this) -
Correct: Látom ezt (I see this) -
Direct translation of English "it is" constructions -
English: It is raining -
Wrong Hungarian: Ez esik -
Correct Hungarian: Esik -
Overusing pronouns -
Hungarian uses pronouns less frequently than English -
Context often makes the pronoun unnecessary
Step 1: Determine proximity -
Is the object/concept close to you? → Use "ez" -
Is it distant or abstract? → Use "az"
Step 2: Identify the grammatical role -
Subject of sentence? → Use nominative (ez/az) -
Direct object? → Use accusative (ezt/azt) -
Other roles? → Apply appropriate case ending
Step 3: Check if pronoun is needed at all -
Weather/time expression? → Often omit -
Clear from context? → Consider omitting -
Emphasis needed? → Include pronoun
Demonstrative Pronoun Declension:
"This" forms: Nominative: ez Accusative: ezt Dative: ennek Instrumental: ezzel Illative: ebbe (into this) Inessive: ebben (in this) Elative: ebből (from this)
"That" forms: Nominative: az Accusative: azt Dative: annak Instrumental: azzal Illative: abba (into that) Inessive: abban (in that) Elative: abból (from that)
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Hungarian speakers' use of ez/az reflects deeper cultural patterns of spatial awareness and precision in communication. Unlike English, which uses "it" as a neutral pronoun, Hungarian maintains a constant awareness of proximity and distance, even in abstract discussions.
Conversational Patterns: In Hungarian culture, the choice between ez and az can convey subtle meanings about emotional or conceptual distance. For example, when discussing problems or negative topics, speakers might unconsciously use "az" to create psychological distance, while "ez" might indicate acceptance or ownership of a situation.
Gesture and Language: Hungarian speakers often accompany ez/az with pointing gestures more frequently than English speakers do with "it." This reflects the demonstrative nature of these pronouns and the importance of spatial relationships in Hungarian thinking.
Formality Considerations: While English "it" remains neutral across formal and informal contexts, the use and frequency of ez/az can vary. In formal writing, these pronouns might be used more sparingly, with fuller noun phrases preferred for clarity.
Regional Variations: Different Hungarian-speaking regions may have slight preferences in when to use explicit pronouns versus dropping them. Urban speakers, particularly in Budapest, might use patterns slightly influenced by international languages, while rural speakers often maintain more traditional usage patterns.
Learning Tip for English Speakers: English speakers often struggle with the ez/az distinction because English "it" covers both meanings. A helpful strategy is to mentally substitute "this one" or "that one" in English sentences to develop intuition for which Hungarian form to use.
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From "Egri csillagok" (Stars of Eger) by Géza Gárdonyi:
"Ez a vár a mienk, és az is marad. Nem adjuk azt senkinek. Az a mi életünk, az a mi reményünk."
Ez this a the vár fortress a the mienk ours, és and az that is also marad remains. Nem not adjuk we-give azt that-[accusative] senkinek to-nobody. Az that a the mi our életünk life, az that a the mi our reményünk hope.
"Ez a vár a mienk, és az is marad. Nem adjuk azt senkinek. Az a mi életünk, az a mi reményünk."
"This fortress is ours, and it will remain so. We will not give it to anyone. It is our life, it is our hope."
Ez a vár a mienk, és az is marad. Nem adjuk azt senkinek. Az a mi életünk, az a mi reményünk.
This passage beautifully demonstrates the multiple uses of ez/az: -
"Ez a vár" - "This fortress" uses ez to indicate immediate presence and possession -
"az is marad" - "that also remains" where az refers back to the fortress's status as "ours" -
"azt" - accusative form of az, showing the fortress as direct object of "give" -
Final "Az...az..." - parallel structure using az to create emphasis through repetition
The passage shows how Hungarian can use demonstratives for: -
Initial identification (ez a vár) -
Anaphoric reference (az is) -
Direct object marking (azt) -
Emphatic repetition (az...az...)
Note how the English translation must use "it" for the final sentences where Hungarian uses the more emphatic "az" (that), showing how Hungarian maintains stronger demonstrative force than English.
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10.16 Ma today hideg cold lesz will-be
10.17 Holnap tomorrow az that idő weather jobb better lesz will-be
10.18 Esik rains az the eső rain egész whole nap day
10.19 Ez this a the szél wind nagyon very erős strong
10.20 Azt that-[accusative] mondják they-say, hogy that havazni to-snow fog will
10.21 Meleg warm van is délen in-south
10.22 Az that előrejelzés forecast szerint according-to napos sunny lesz will-be
10.23 Felhős cloudy lesz will-be az the ég sky
10.24 Ez this a the vihar storm veszélyes dangerous lehet can-be
10.25 Hűvös cool van is reggel in-morning
10.26 Azt that-[accusative] hallottam I-heard, hogy that köd fog lesz will-be
10.27 Ez this az the évszak season mindig always változó changeable
10.28 Száraz dry lesz will-be a the levegő air
10.29 Az the eső rain után after szivárvány rainbow lesz will-be
10.30 Kellemes pleasant az the idő weather ma today este evening
10.16 Ma hideg lesz. It will be cold today.
10.17 Holnap az idő jobb lesz. Tomorrow the weather will be better.
10.18 Esik az eső egész nap. It is raining all day.
10.19 Ez a szél nagyon erős. This wind is very strong.
10.20 Azt mondják, hogy havazni fog. They say that it will snow.
10.21 Meleg van délen. It is warm in the south.
10.22 Az előrejelzés szerint napos lesz. According to the forecast it will be sunny.
10.23 Felhős lesz az ég. The sky will be cloudy.
10.24 Ez a vihar veszélyes lehet. This storm can be dangerous.
10.25 Hűvös van reggel. It is cool in the morning.
10.26 Azt hallottam, hogy köd lesz. I heard that it will be foggy.
10.27 Ez az évszak mindig változó. This season is always changeable.
10.28 Száraz lesz a levegő. The air will be dry.
10.29 Az eső után szivárvány lesz. After the rain there will be a rainbow.
10.30 Kellemes az idő ma este. The weather is pleasant this evening.
10.16 Ma hideg lesz.
10.17 Holnap az idő jobb lesz.
10.18 Esik az eső egész nap.
10.19 Ez a szél nagyon erős.
10.20 Azt mondják, hogy havazni fog.
10.21 Meleg van délen.
10.22 Az előrejelzés szerint napos lesz.
10.23 Felhős lesz az ég.
10.24 Ez a vihar veszélyes lehet.
10.25 Hűvös van reggel.
10.26 Azt hallottam, hogy köd lesz.
10.27 Ez az évszak mindig változó.
10.28 Száraz lesz a levegő.
10.29 Az eső után szivárvány lesz.
10.30 Kellemes az idő ma este.
1. Impersonal Constructions: Hungarian weather expressions typically omit pronouns where English uses "it": -
"Esik" (rains) not "*Ez esik" (It rains) -
"Hideg van" (is cold) not "*Ez hideg" (It is cold)
2. Using "az" with "idő" (weather): When referring to weather as a general concept, Hungarian uses "az idő": -
"Az idő jobb lesz" (The weather will be better) -
Note: "idő" also means "time" - context determines meaning
3. Reported Speech with "azt": When reporting weather forecasts, use "azt" (accusative of "az"): -
"Azt mondják, hogy..." (They say that...) -
"Azt hallottam, hogy..." (I heard that...)
4. Time Expressions in Weather: Time markers in weather forecasts don't require pronouns: -
"Ma hideg lesz" (Today [it] will be cold) -
"Holnap esni fog" (Tomorrow [it] will rain)
5. Common Weather Patterns:
No pronoun needed: -
Temperature: meleg/hideg van (it's hot/cold) -
Precipitation: esik/havazik (it's raining/snowing) -
Conditions: felhős/napos (it's cloudy/sunny)
Using ez/az: -
Specific phenomena: "Ez a szél" (this wind) -
Forecasts: "Az előrejelzés" (the forecast) -
Seasonal references: "Ez az évszak" (this season)
Common Mistakes in Weather Contexts: -
Adding unnecessary pronouns to weather verbs -
Using wrong demonstrative with specific weather phenomena -
Forgetting accusative case in reported speech -
Translating English "it" directly in impersonal expressions
Weather Vocabulary Tips: -
Learn weather verbs as standalone units without pronouns -
Remember that "van" (is) creates state descriptions -
Use "lesz" (will be) for future conditions -
"Fog" + infinitive creates future tense (havazni fog = will snow)
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