Present Definite Conjugation in Hungarian

Overview

The present definite conjugation is the second of Hungarian's two verb conjugation systems, used when the direct object is definite — that is, when you are talking about a specific, known entity. If the object has a definite article (a/az), is a proper noun, a demonstrative pronoun, or a possessive construction, the definite conjugation is required.

At the CEFR A2 level, learners who already know the indefinite conjugation should now master the definite endings. The two systems are used constantly in alternation, and choosing the wrong one is one of the most noticeable errors in Hungarian. The definite conjugation endings follow vowel harmony, just like the indefinite ones, but the actual suffixes are quite different.

This conjugation is sometimes called the "objective" conjugation because it focuses on a specific object. Mastering it unlocks a large number of common expressions and is the gateway to imperative, conditional, and future constructions.

How It Works

Definite Conjugation Endings

Person	Back vowel	Front unrounded	Front rounded
én	-om	-em	-öm
te	-od	-ed	-öd
ő	-ja	-i	-i
mi	-juk	-jük	-jük
ti	-játok	-itek	-itek
ők	-ják	-ik	-ik

Example: olvas (read) — back vowel

Person	Indefinite	Definite
én	olvasok	olvasom
te	olvasol	olvasod
ő	olvas	olvassa
mi	olvasunk	olvassuk
ti	olvastok	olvassátok
ők	olvasnak	olvassák

Example: keres (search) — front vowel

Person	Indefinite	Definite
én	keresek	keresem
te	keresel	keresed
ő	keres	keresi
mi	keresünk	keressük
ti	kerestek	keresitek
ők	keresnek	keresik

What Triggers Definite Conjugation?

Trigger	Example
Definite article (a/az)	Olvasom a könyvet.
Proper noun	Látom Pétert.
Demonstrative (ez, az)	Szeretem ezt.
Possessive noun	Ismerem a barátodat.
Third-person pronoun as object	Látom őt.
hogy-clause as object	Tudom, hogy jön.

Examples in Context

Hungarian	English	Note
Olvasom a könyvet.	I read the book.	a + noun
Látom Pétert.	I see Péter.	proper noun
Szeretem a zenét.	I love music.	generic with article
Ismerik a tanárt.	They know the teacher.	a + noun
Keresem a kulcsot.	I'm looking for the key.	a + noun
Ezt akarom.	I want this.	demonstrative
Nézem a filmet.	I'm watching the film.	a + noun
Tudom, hogy jön.	I know he's coming.	hogy-clause
Hallom a zenét.	I hear the music.	a + noun
Kérem a számlát.	I'd like the bill.	a + noun

Common Mistakes

Using indefinite endings with definite objects

• Wrong: Olvas*ok a könyvet.*
• Right: Olvas*om a könyvet.*
• Why: The definite article a makes the object definite, requiring -om (not -ok).

Forgetting stem changes with -ja/-juk

• Wrong: olvasja (he reads it)
• Right: olvassa (assimilation: s + j → ss)
• Why: When the suffix starts with -j and the stem ends in s, sz, z, or dz, the j assimilates. This produces double consonants.

Using definite for engem/téged

• Wrong: Lát*ja engem.*
• Right: Lát engem. (indefinite!)
• Why: First and second person object pronouns (engem, téged) trigger indefinite conjugation — a notable exception.

Confusing -ják and -nak

• Wrong: Olvasn*ák a könyvet.* (mixing conditional and present)
• Right: Olvass*ák a könyvet.* (they read the book)
• Why: Be careful not to confuse the present definite third plural (-ják) with conditional forms (-nák).

Usage Notes

The definite conjugation is used more frequently than many learners expect. Any time you talk about "the" something, a named person, "this/that," or what someone knows/sees/hears about a specific thing, you need it. In practice, a large percentage of transitive sentences in Hungarian use the definite conjugation.

The special -lak/-lek form (I → you) does not belong to either system: Látlak (I see you) is its own unique form combining first person subject with second person object.

Practice Tips

• Take ten common transitive verbs and conjugate them in both indefinite and definite through all six persons. Compare the endings side by side.
• Practice pairs: Olvasok egy könyvet. / Olvasom a könyvet. for each verb.
• Pay attention to the -j assimilation rules: lát → látja, olvas → olvassa, hoz → hozza.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Definite vs Indefinite Conjugation — the conceptual foundation
• Next steps: Imperative Mood — commands in both conjugations
• Next steps: Future Tense — fog + infinitive construction
• Next steps: Conditional Mood — hypothetical and polite forms
• Next steps: Verb Type Classes — irregular conjugation patterns
• Next steps: Tudni vs Ismerni (Know) — two "know" verbs with different conjugation
• Next steps: Expressing Likes (Tetszik/Szeret) — like/love constructions
• Next steps: Advanced Conjugation Rules — edge cases and special forms