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For the autodidact student, "az" serves as Hungarian's primary demonstrative pronoun meaning "that," functioning both as a standalone pronoun and as the definite article "the" in certain contexts. This lesson explores how "az" operates within Hungarian's agglutinative structure, where suffixes attach to words to express grammatical relationships that English conveys through separate words.
Link to course index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
What does "az" mean in Hungarian? "Az" is the demonstrative pronoun meaning "that" when pointing to something distant or previously mentioned. It also functions as the definite article before words beginning with vowels. As a demonstrative, it contrasts with "ez" (this) and can take case endings to show grammatical relationships.
In these 15 examples, you'll see "az" used as a demonstrative pronoun, in various cases, and in relative constructions. Hungarian's vowel harmony and case system will be evident throughout, with "az" adapting its form through suffixes like "azt" (accusative), "annak" (genitive/dative), and "azzal" (instrumental).
Educational Level: This material is designed for adult language learners studying Hungarian at a beginner to intermediate level.
Key Takeaways: -
"Az" changes form with case suffixes: az, azt, annak, azzal, etc. -
Distinguishes between near (ez) and far (az) deixis -
Can function as both pronoun and article -
Forms the base for relative pronouns like "amely" and "ami"
Key Hungarian sounds for this lesson: -
az [ɒz] - like "oz" with a short, open 'a' as in British "hot" -
gy [ɟ] - like 'd' in "during" but with tongue against palate -
ny [ɲ] - like 'ny' in "canyon" -
sz [s] - always like 's' in "sun", never like 'z' -
zs [ʒ] - like 's' in "measure" -
Long vowels (á, é, í, ó, ö, ő, ú, ü, ű) are held twice as long as short vowels
13.1 Az that a the könyv book az the asztalon on-table-SUP van is
13.2 Látom I-see azt that-ACC a the madarat bird-ACC
13.3 Az that az the ember person aki who tegnap yesterday jött came
13.4 Annak to-that-DAT a the lánynak to-girl-DAT adtam I-gave a the levelet letter-ACC
13.5 Az that nem not igaz true amit what-ACC mondasz you-say
13.6 Azzal with-that-INS a the ceruzával with-pencil-INS írok I-write
13.7 Az that volt was a the legjobb best nap day
13.8 Azok those a the gyerekek children játszanak play
13.9 Azt that-ACC hiszem I-believe hogy that esni to-rain fog will
13.10 Az the épület building amely which ott there áll stands régi old
13.11 Azért for-that jöttem I-came hogy that segítsek I-help-SUBJ
13.12 Az that a the férfi man az the apám my-father
13.13 Abban in-that-INE a the házban in-house-INE lakom I-live
13.14 Azon on-that-SUP gondolkodom I-think hogy that elmenjek I-go-SUBJ
13.15 Az that után after a the film film után after hazamentünk we-went-home
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13.1 Az a könyv az asztalon van. That book is on the table.
13.2 Látom azt a madarat. I see that bird.
13.3 Az az ember, aki tegnap jött. That's the person who came yesterday.
13.4 Annak a lánynak adtam a levelet. I gave the letter to that girl.
13.5 Az nem igaz, amit mondasz. That's not true, what you're saying.
13.6 Azzal a ceruzával írok. I'm writing with that pencil.
13.7 Az volt a legjobb nap. That was the best day.
13.8 Azok a gyerekek játszanak. Those children are playing.
13.9 Azt hiszem, hogy esni fog. I think that it will rain.
13.10 Az épület, amely ott áll, régi. The building that stands there is old.
13.11 Azért jöttem, hogy segítsek. I came so that I could help.
13.12 Az a férfi az apám. That man is my father.
13.13 Abban a házban lakom. I live in that house.
13.14 Azon gondolkodom, hogy elmenjek. I'm thinking about (that) leaving.
13.15 Az után a film után hazamentünk. After that movie we went home.
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13.1 Az a könyv az asztalon van.
13.2 Látom azt a madarat.
13.3 Az az ember, aki tegnap jött.
13.4 Annak a lánynak adtam a levelet.
13.5 Az nem igaz, amit mondasz.
13.6 Azzal a ceruzával írok.
13.7 Az volt a legjobb nap.
13.8 Azok a gyerekek játszanak.
13.9 Azt hiszem, hogy esni fog.
13.10 Az épület, amely ott áll, régi.
13.11 Azért jöttem, hogy segítsek.
13.12 Az a férfi az apám.
13.13 Abban a házban lakom.
13.14 Azon gondolkodom, hogy elmenjek.
13.15 Az után a film után hazamentünk.
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These are the grammar rules for "az" (that) in Hungarian.
Forms of "az" with Cases: Hungarian uses case suffixes attached to "az" to show grammatical relationships. The stem changes before certain suffixes:
Nominative: az (that - subject) Accusative: azt (that - direct object) Dative: annak (to/for that) Instrumental: azzal (with that) Inessive: abban (in that) Superessive: azon (on that) Sublative: arra (onto that) Allative: ahhoz (to/toward that) Ablative: attól (from that)
Demonstrative vs. Article Function: "Az" serves dual purposes in Hungarian: -
As demonstrative pronoun "that" when standing alone or emphasized -
As definite article "the" before vowels (compare "a" before consonants)
When used as demonstrative, it often appears doubled: "az a" (that the) as in "az a könyv" (that book).
Relative Pronoun Connections: "Az" forms the base for relative pronouns: -
aki (who - for people) -
ami (that/which - for things) -
amely (which - formal, for things)
These begin with 'a' showing their connection to the demonstrative system.
Common Mistakes: -
Confusing "az" (that/the) with "ez" (this) -
Forgetting case agreement: "Látom az" is wrong; must be "Látom azt" -
Missing the doubled structure in demonstratives: saying just "az könyv" when meaning "that book" instead of "az a könyv" -
Using wrong relative pronoun: "az ember ami" instead of "az ember aki"
Special Characters: To type Hungarian characters: -
á, é, í, ó, ú: Alt + vowel (or vowel + acute accent) -
ö, ü: Alt + o/u (or vowel + umlaut) -
ő, ű: These unique Hungarian long vowels need special keyboard settings
Vowel Harmony Note: While "az" itself doesn't change for vowel harmony, its suffixed forms follow back vowel patterns (a, o, u) because "a" is a back vowel.
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The demonstrative "az" reflects Hungarian spatial thinking, which makes sharp distinctions between proximal (ez - this/here) and distal (az - that/there) reference. This binary system is stricter than in English, where "that" can sometimes be neutral.
In formal Hungarian, particularly in writing, "amely" is preferred over "ami" as a relative pronoun, though "ami" dominates in everyday speech. The choice signals register and education level.
Hungarians often use demonstratives for emphasis where English might use stress or intonation. Saying "Az jó!" (That's good!) with pointing gesture is a common enthusiastic agreement, stronger than simply "Jó!"
The doubled demonstrative structure "az a" seems redundant to English speakers but serves to strongly mark something as definite and previously mentioned or visible in the context. It's particularly common in storytelling: "Az a fiú, akiről beszéltem..." (That boy I was talking about...).
Formal vs. Informal Usage: In formal contexts, avoid contracting "az" with following words. While spoken Hungarian might blur "az ember" into "azember," maintain clear separation in writing and formal speech.
Regional Variations: Eastern Hungarian dialects sometimes preserve older demonstrative forms like "amaz" (that one over there) for extreme distance, though this is archaic in standard Hungarian.
False Friends: The similarity between Hungarian "az" and English "as" is pure coincidence - they share no etymological connection despite the spelling similarity.
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From Mór Jókai's "Az arany ember" (The Man with the Golden Touch), 1872:
Az a nap, amely a Vaskapu megnyitására volt kitűzve, végre megérkezett. A Duna mindkét partján összegyűlt a nép, hogy tanúja legyen annak a pillanatnak, amikor az első hajó átmegy azon a helyen, ahol eddig csak a halál járt. Az volt a terv, hogy pontban délben robbantják fel az utolsó sziklát.
F-A: Interleaved/construed text: Az that a the nap day amely which a the Vaskapu Iron-Gate megnyitására for-opening-POSS-SUB volt was kitűzve set-out végre finally megérkezett arrived A the Duna Danube mindkét both partján on-bank-POSS-SUP összegyűlt gathered a the nép people hogy that tanúja witness-POSS legyen be-SUBJ annak that-DAT a the pillanatnak moment-DAT amikor when az the első first hajó ship átmegy crosses azon that-SUP a the helyen place-SUP ahol where eddig until-now csak only a the halál death járt went Az that volt was a the terv plan hogy that pontban exactly délben at-noon robbantják they-explode fel up az the utolsó last sziklát rock-ACC
F-B: Authentic text with translation: Az a nap, amely a Vaskapu megnyitására volt kitűzve, végre megérkezett. A Duna mindkét partján összegyűlt a nép, hogy tanúja legyen annak a pillanatnak, amikor az első hajó átmegy azon a helyen, ahol eddig csak a halál járt. Az volt a terv, hogy pontban délben robbantják fel az utolsó sziklát.
That day which had been set for the opening of the Iron Gates had finally arrived. People gathered on both banks of the Danube to witness that moment when the first ship would pass through that place where until then only death had traveled. The plan was that at exactly noon they would blast the last rock.
F-C: Authentic text only: Az a nap, amely a Vaskapu megnyitására volt kitűzve, végre megérkezett. A Duna mindkét partján összegyűlt a nép, hogy tanúja legyen annak a pillanatnak, amikor az első hajó átmegy azon a helyen, ahol eddig csak a halál járt. Az volt a terv, hogy pontban délben robbantják fel az utolsó sziklát.
F-D: Grammar and vocabulary explanation: This passage demonstrates multiple uses of "az" and related forms. "Az a nap" shows the emphatic demonstrative structure. "Amely" (which) is the formal relative pronoun derived from "az." "Annak a pillanatnak" shows "az" in dative case with the suffix -nak. "Azon a helyen" uses the superessive form (on that place). The passage also shows Hungarian's complex verbal suffixation: "megnyitására" (for its opening) combines the verbal stem with possessive and sublative case endings. "Vaskapu" (Iron Gate) refers to the gorge on the Danube between Serbia and Romania, a major 19th-century engineering project.
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13.16 Azt that-ACC jelentette reported a the miniszter minister hogy that az the új new törvény law januárban in-January lép steps hatályba into-effect
13.17 Az the országgyűlés parliament amely which ma today ülésezett convened elfogadta accepted azt that-ACC a the javaslatot proposal-ACC
13.18 Azok those szerint according-to akik who jelen present voltak were az the esemény event sikeres successful volt was
13.19 Az that volt was a the cél goal hogy that mindenki everyone megértse understand-SUBJ a the változásokat changes-ACC
13.20 Annak that-GEN ellenére despite hogy that sokan many tiltakoztak protested a the döntés decision megszületett was-born
13.21 Az the államfő head-of-state azzal with-that-INS érvelt argued hogy that ez this szükséges necessary lépés step
13.22 Azon on-that-SUP a the napon on-day-SUP amikor when az the intézkedés measure életbe into-life lépett stepped
13.23 Az the ellenzék opposition azt that-ACC állítja claims hogy that a the kormány government téved errs
13.24 Azért for-that gyűltek gathered össze together hogy that megvitassák discuss-SUBJ az the ügyet matter-ACC
13.25 Az that a the vállalat company amely which tavaly last-year csődbe into-bankruptcy ment went
13.26 Abból from-that-ELA a the célból from-purpose-ELA hogy that tisztázzák clarify-SUBJ a the helyzetet situation-ACC
13.27 Az the ügy case amelyről about-which beszélünk we-speak országos national jelentőségű significance-having
13.28 Azóta since-that hogy that a the rendelet decree megjelent appeared sok many vita debate volt was
13.29 Azt that-ACC mondják they-say az the szakértők experts hogy that változás change kell is-needed
13.30 Az that után after hogy that a the bizottság committee döntött decided közzétették they-published az the eredményt result-ACC
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13.16 Azt jelentette a miniszter, hogy az új törvény januárban lép hatályba. The minister reported that the new law will take effect in January.
13.17 Az országgyűlés, amely ma ülésezett, elfogadta azt a javaslatot. The parliament, which convened today, accepted that proposal.
13.18 Azok szerint, akik jelen voltak, az esemény sikeres volt. According to those who were present, the event was successful.
13.19 Az volt a cél, hogy mindenki megértse a változásokat. The goal was that everyone would understand the changes.
13.20 Annak ellenére, hogy sokan tiltakoztak, a döntés megszületett. Despite the fact that many protested, the decision was made.
13.21 Az államfő azzal érvelt, hogy ez szükséges lépés. The head of state argued that this is a necessary step.
13.22 Azon a napon, amikor az intézkedés életbe lépett... On that day when the measure took effect...
13.23 Az ellenzék azt állítja, hogy a kormány téved. The opposition claims that the government is mistaken.
13.24 Azért gyűltek össze, hogy megvitassák az ügyet. They gathered in order to discuss the matter.
13.25 Az a vállalat, amely tavaly csődbe ment... That company which went bankrupt last year...
13.26 Abból a célból, hogy tisztázzák a helyzetet... For the purpose of clarifying the situation...
13.27 Az ügy, amelyről beszélünk, országos jelentőségű. The case we're talking about has national significance.
13.28 Azóta, hogy a rendelet megjelent, sok vita volt. Since the decree appeared, there has been much debate.
13.29 Azt mondják a szakértők, hogy változás kell. The experts say that change is needed.
13.30 Az után, hogy a bizottság döntött, közzétették az eredményt. After the committee decided, they published the result.
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13.16 Azt jelentette a miniszter, hogy az új törvény januárban lép hatályba.
13.17 Az országgyűlés, amely ma ülésezett, elfogadta azt a javaslatot.
13.18 Azok szerint, akik jelen voltak, az esemény sikeres volt.
13.19 Az volt a cél, hogy mindenki megértse a változásokat.
13.20 Annak ellenére, hogy sokan tiltakoztak, a döntés megszületett.
13.21 Az államfő azzal érvelt, hogy ez szükséges lépés.
13.22 Azon a napon, amikor az intézkedés életbe lépett...
13.23 Az ellenzék azt állítja, hogy a kormány téved.
13.24 Azért gyűltek össze, hogy megvitassák az ügyet.
13.25 Az a vállalat, amely tavaly csődbe ment...
13.26 Abból a célból, hogy tisztázzák a helyzetet...
13.27 Az ügy, amelyről beszélünk, országos jelentőségű.
13.28 Azóta, hogy a rendelet megjelent, sok vita volt.
13.29 Azt mondják a szakértők, hogy változás kell.
13.30 Az után, hogy a bizottság döntött, közzétették az eredményt.
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This news report section demonstrates formal Hungarian usage of "az" and its derivatives in journalistic contexts. Several important patterns emerge:
Reported Speech with "azt": The accusative form "azt" frequently introduces reported speech: "Azt jelentette" (reported that), "Azt állítja" (claims that), "Azt mondják" (they say that). This construction is standard in Hungarian news reporting.
Complex Relative Clauses: Forms like "amely" and "amelyről" (about which) show the formal register. Note how relative pronouns can take case endings: amely-ről adds the sublative case ending -ről (about/from).
Purpose Expressions: "Azért...hogy" (in order to/so that) and "abból a célból, hogy" (for the purpose of) are formal ways to express purpose, common in official language.
Temporal Expressions: "Azóta, hogy" (since), "azon a napon, amikor" (on that day when), and "az után, hogy" (after) show how demonstratives combine with postpositions and conjunctions to create complex temporal expressions.
The Subjunctive Mood: Several verbs appear in subjunctive form (marked SUBJ in glosses): "megértse" (would understand), "megvitassák" (would discuss), "tisztázzák" (would clarify). The subjunctive follows "hogy" in purpose and desire expressions.
Formal Vocabulary: Terms like "országgyűlés" (parliament), "államfő" (head of state), "intézkedés" (measure), and "rendelet" (decree) represent the formal register of Hungarian political and administrative language.
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Hungarian orthography is highly phonemic - each letter or digraph consistently represents one sound. Special attention should be paid to:
Length Distinction: Short vs. long vowels change meaning: "kor" (age) vs. "kór" (disease). Long vowels (á, é, í, ó, ő, ú, ű) are held approximately twice as long as their short counterparts.
Consonant Digraphs: -
cs = [tʃ] as in "church" -
gy = [ɟ] palatalized 'd', no English equivalent -
ly = [j] same as 'j' in modern Hungarian -
ny = [ɲ] as in "canyon" -
sz = [s] as in "sun" -
ty = [c] palatalized 't' -
zs = [ʒ] as in "measure"
Double Consonants: Written double consonants are pronounced longer: "azzal" has a lengthened 'z' sound distinguishing it from "azal" (theoretical form).
Stress Pattern: Hungarian always stresses the first syllable of a word, regardless of length. This differs markedly from English variable stress and affects the rhythm of sentences.
Vowel Harmony in Suffixes: While "az" uses back-vowel suffix variants, learners must recognize that Hungarian suffixes change based on the vowels in the stem: front vowels (e, é, i, í, ö, ő, ü, ű) vs. back vowels (a, á, o, ó, u, ú).
Common Spelling Patterns: The letter 'j' and the digraph 'ly' represent the same sound [j] in modern Hungarian, though historically different. This can cause spelling confusion even for native speakers.
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