Grammar Topic
Rules for Prefix Separation and Word Order
The main trick with Hungarian verbal prefixes is that they move. Depending on the sentence type, the prefix may stay attached to the verb, separate and move after it, or even stand before an auxiliary verb.
Rule 1. Normal statement: prefix attached
If you are simply stating a fact, the prefix stays in its normal position, attached to the verb.
- A nő bemegy az üzletbe. [The woman enters the store.]
Rule 2. Negation: prefix separates
If the negative particle nem stands before the verb, it pushes the prefix away. The prefix then goes after the verb.
- A nő nem megy be az üzletbe. [The woman does not enter the store.]
Rule 3. Questions with a question word: prefix separates
If the sentence has a question word, such as who, where, when, or why, that word attracts the verb. The prefix separates and moves after the verb.
- Ki megy be az üzletbe? [Who enters the store?]
- Hova megy be a nő? [Where does the woman go in?]
Rule 4. Logical focus: prefix separates
If you want to emphasize a particular word, such as “the woman” or “the store,” that word moves before the verb, and the prefix separates.
- Nem a nő megy be az üzletbe. [It is not the woman who enters the store.]
- A nő az üzletbe megy be. [The woman goes into the store specifically.]
Reading Practice
- Péter ma elutazik Londonba. [Péter is leaving for London today.]
- Péter ma nem utazik el Londonba. [Péter is not leaving for London today.]
- Mikor utazik el Péter Londonba? [When is Péter leaving for London?]
- Kati megvette az új autót. [Kati bought the new car.]
- Kati nem vette meg az új autót. [Kati did not buy the new car.]
- Mit vett meg Kati? [What did Kati buy?]
- A diákok felállnak, amikor bejön a tanár. [The students stand up when the teacher comes in.]
- A diákok nem állnak fel. [The students do not stand up.]
- Ki áll fel? [Who stands up?]
- Tegnap a barátom nem hívott fel. [Yesterday my friend did not call me.]