Temporal Cases in Hungarian

Overview

Hungarian uses specific case suffixes and postpositions for precise temporal reference, going beyond the basic time expressions of A1/A2. At the CEFR B2 level, learners need to master the temporal suffixes -kor (at a specific time), -ig (until), and the use of -tól/-től (from) and -ra/-re (by/for a deadline), which double as spatial cases repurposed for time.

These temporal expressions allow Hungarian to be extremely precise about when something happens, how long it lasts, and what deadlines apply. The system is logical — many spatial cases map to temporal meanings in predictable ways.

Understanding temporal cases is essential for professional communication, scheduling, and narrating events with temporal precision.

How It Works

Key Temporal Suffixes

Suffix	Meaning	Example
-kor	at (specific time)	hétkor (at seven)
-ig	until / for (duration)	ötig (until five)
-tól/-től	from (starting point)	héttől (from seven)
-ra/-re	by / for (deadline)	péntekre (by Friday)
-ban/-ben	in (month, year)	januárban (in January)
-on/-en/-ön	on (day)	hétfőn (on Monday)

-kor: At a Specific Time

Hungarian	English
hétkor	at seven
éjfélkor	at midnight
karácsonykor	at Christmas
húsvétkor	at Easter
ebédkor	at lunchtime

-ig: Until / For Duration

Hungarian	English
ötig	until five
péntekig	until Friday
nyárig	until summer
holnapig	until tomorrow
végig	all the way through

-tól/-től ... -ig: From ... Until

Hungarian	English
reggeltől estig	from morning to evening
hétfőtől péntekig	from Monday to Friday
januártól márciusig	from January to March
héttől ötig	from seven to five

-ra/-re: By / For a Deadline

Hungarian	English
péntekre	by/for Friday
holnapra	by/for tomorrow
jövő hétre	by/for next week
mára	for/by today

Examples in Context

Hungarian	English	Note
hétkor	at seven	specific time
ötig	until five	endpoint
reggeltől estig	from morning to evening	range
péntekre	by Friday	deadline
Hétkor kelek.	I get up at seven.	daily routine
Ötig dolgozom.	I work until five.	duration endpoint
Héttől ötig vagyok.	I'm there from seven to five.	range
Péntekre kész lesz.	It will be ready by Friday.	deadline
Karácsonykor otthon leszek.	I'll be home at Christmas.	holiday
Két hétig voltam ott.	I was there for two weeks.	duration

Common Mistakes

Confusing -ig (until) and -ra/-re (by/for)

• Wrong: Péntekig kész lesz. (meaning "it will be ready by Friday")
• Right: Péntekre kész lesz.
• Why: -ig means "until" (continuous duration); -ra/-re means "by" (deadline for completion).

Using -ban/-ben for days

• Wrong: hétfőben
• Right: hétfőn
• Why: Days of the week use the superessive (-n/-on/-en/-ön), not the inessive (-ban/-ben).

Forgetting -kor for specific times

• Wrong: hét óra (meaning "at seven o'clock")
• Right: hét órakor
• Why: The suffix -kor marks the specific point in time. Without it, hét óra just names the time without "at."

Usage Notes

The -tól...-ig structure is very common in business and scheduling contexts. Opening hours, work schedules, and event durations all use this pattern: Nyitva: hétfőtől péntekig, 8-tól 17-ig. (Open: Monday to Friday, 8 to 5.)

The suffix -kor also attaches to event words: ebédkor (at lunchtime), vacsorakor (at dinnertime), kezdéskor (at the start).

Practice Tips

• Describe your daily schedule using all temporal cases: Hétkor kelek. Nyolctól ötig dolgozom. Hatkor hazamegyek.
• Practice -tól...-ig ranges: work hours, vacation periods, seasons.
• Drill -ra/-re deadlines: Holnapra, péntekre, jövő hétre kész lesz.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Introduction to Cases — the case system these temporal suffixes belong to