Comprehensive Passive Voice in Hungarian

In this guide, we will explore the Hungarian passive voice and learn how to express actions without specifying the doer. This is particularly useful when the focus is on the action itself rather than who is performing it. Let's dive in!

What is the Passive Voice?

The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence undergoes an action rather than performing the action. In Hungarian, the passive voice is formed by using the appropriate verb form and the auxiliary verb "van" (to be) followed by the past participle of the verb.

Forming the Passive Voice in Hungarian

To form the passive voice in Hungarian, follow these steps:

1. Start with the subject, which is the entity or thing that undergoes the action.
2. Use the appropriate verb form according to the tense and mood required.
3. Add the auxiliary verb "van" conjugated to match the subject.
4. Finally, append the past participle of the main verb.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the formation of the passive voice in Hungarian:

• "A házat építik." - The house is being built.
• "A könyvet megtalálták." - The book was found.
• "A terv kidolgozva van." - The plan is elaborated.

Notes on Verb Agreement

It's important to note that in Hungarian, the verb in the passive voice agrees with the subject in both number (singular/plural) and person (1st/2nd/3rd). Therefore, pay attention to the subject when conjugating the auxiliary verb "van."

For example:

• "Az asztalt rendbe teszik." - The table is being tidied up.
• "Az asztalokat rendbe teszik." - The tables are being tidied up.

Omitting the Agent

In the passive voice, the agent (the doer of the action) is often omitted in Hungarian. Instead of mentioning who performed the action, the focus is on the action itself. However, if necessary, the agent can be added using the preposition "által" followed by the noun in the instrumental case.

For example:

• "Az autót javítják a szerelő által." - The car is being repaired by the mechanic.

Using the Passive Voice Effectively

Here are some situations where using the passive voice can be beneficial:

• When the agent is unknown or unimportant.
• When the focus is on the action itself rather than who performed it.
• When emphasizing the receiver of the action.

Keep in mind that the passive voice is not as commonly used in Hungarian as it is in some other languages. Therefore, it's important to use it judiciously to maintain clarity and effectiveness in your communication.

Summary

In this guide, we explored the comprehensive passive voice in Hungarian. We learned how to form the passive voice using the appropriate verb form, the auxiliary verb "van," and the past participle. We also saw examples and noted the importance of verb agreement and the optional inclusion of the agent. Using the passive voice effectively can enhance your Hungarian communication skills and express actions with clarity and focus.

Continue practicing and incorporating the passive voice in your conversations and writing to become more proficient in Hungarian.