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Consonant Assimilation and Word Formation Basics

When certain consonants meet, their pronunciation changes or merges. This is called assimilation. English has a similar idea in fast speech, but Hungarian often reflects these sound changes very consistently in grammar.

Common sound mergers:

• l + j = [jj]: tanulja (he/she learns it) is pronounced like “tanujja.”
• n + j = [nny]: unja (he/she is bored with it).
• t + j = [tty]: látja (he/she sees it).
• t + sz = [c], similar to “ts”: tetszik (to be pleasing, to like).
• t + s = [ccs], a doubled “ch” sound: barátságos (friendly).

Word formation basics: Hungarian creates new words mainly through compounding and suffixation.

• Compounding: two or more words combine into one.
  • asztal (table) + láb (leg) = asztalláb (table leg)
  • házi (domestic/home) + állat (animal) = háziállat (pet)
  • magyar (Hungarian) + ország (country) = Magyarország (Hungary)
• Suffixation: suffixes create new nouns, adjectives, and verbs.
  • tanár (teacher) + -i = tanári (teacher-related)
  • vad (wild game) + -ász (profession suffix) = vadász (hunter)
  • Moszkva (Moscow) + -i = moszkvai (from Moscow, Muscovite)

Tip: add the bold words to your spaced repetition flashcards. They reinforce both pronunciation rules and useful vocabulary.