Imperative Mood in Hungarian

Overview

The imperative mood expresses commands, requests, and instructions. In Hungarian, it is formed with a -j suffix added to the verb stem, but this -j interacts with the stem's final consonant in complex ways, producing various assimilation patterns. The imperative exists in both definite and indefinite conjugations and has both informal and polite forms.

At the CEFR A2 level, learners should master the most common imperative forms, understand the stem changes, and learn polite alternatives for making requests. The imperative is used not just for commands but also in subordinate clauses expressing purpose, desire, or obligation.

Hungarian imperative forms are among the trickiest to produce correctly due to consonant assimilation, but they are heard constantly in daily life.

How It Works

Basic Imperative Formation

Stem + -j + personal ending

The -j suffix triggers assimilation with certain stem-final consonants:

Stem ending	+ j becomes	Example
s	ss	olvas → olvass
sz	ssz	néz → nézz*
z	zz	hoz → hozz
t	ts/ss/cs	lát → láss, tanít → taníts
d	ggy/dd	mond → mondj, ad → adj
most others	-j stays	kér → kérj

*Simplified — actual forms vary by verb class.

Indefinite Imperative

Person	Ending	Example (olvas)
te	— (bare stem+j)	Olvass!
ön/maga	-on/-en/-ön	Olvasson!
mi	-unk/-ünk	Olvassunk!
ti	-atok/-etek	Olvassatok!
ők	-anak/-enek	Olvassanak!

Definite Imperative

Person	Ending	Example (olvas)
te	-d	Olvasd!
ön/maga	-a/-e	Olvassa!
mi	-uk/-ük	Olvassuk!
ti	-átok/-étek	Olvassátok!
ők	-ák/-ék	Olvassák!

Polite Imperatives

Hungarian	English	Register
Tessék leülni!	Please sit down.	very polite
Legyen szíves...	Please be so kind...	formal
Kérem, ...	Please, ...	standard polite

Examples in Context

Hungarian	English	Note
Olvasd!	Read (it)!	definite, informal
Olvass!	Read!	indefinite, informal
Gyere!	Come!	irregular
Tessék leülni!	Please sit down.	polite
Menj el!	Go away!	prefix separates
Idd meg!	Drink it up!	definite + prefix
Kérjük a számlát!	We'd like the bill!	"let us" form
Ne menj!	Don't go!	negative imperative
Csináld meg!	Do it!	definite + prefix
Legyen szíves várni.	Please be so kind as to wait.	very formal

Common Mistakes

Wrong consonant assimilation

• Wrong: olvasj
• Right: olvass (s + j → ss)
• Why: The -j suffix assimilates with s, producing ss. Simply adding -j after s is incorrect.

Using definite imperative without definite object

• Wrong: Olvasd! (when no specific object)
• Right: Olvass!
• Why: The definite/indefinite distinction applies in the imperative too. Without a definite object, use indefinite forms.

Forgetting ne for negative imperative

• Wrong: Nem menj!
• Right: Ne menj!
• Why: Negative imperatives use ne (not nem). Ne is specifically for prohibitions/negative commands.

Not separating verbal prefixes

• Wrong: Megcsináld!
• Right: Csináld meg!
• Why: In imperative sentences, the verbal prefix separates and moves after the verb (unless in neutral/non-focused position).

Usage Notes

The imperative is used far more broadly in Hungarian than in English. Beyond direct commands, it appears in subordinate clauses after verbs of wanting, requesting, and necessity: Azt akarom, hogy gyere. (I want you to come. — literally "I want that come-IMP.")

The tessék + infinitive construction is the standard polite form in shops, restaurants, and public services. It is much softer than a direct imperative.

Practice Tips

• Memorize the consonant assimilation patterns with the ten most common verbs: lát, kér, ad, mond, olvas, néz, hoz, tesz, vesz, megy.
• Practice both definite and indefinite imperatives: Olvasd a könyvet! vs Olvass!
• Learn the negative imperative with ne: Ne menj! Ne csináld! Ne edd meg!

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Present Definite Conjugation — the definite/indefinite system in imperative