Direct and Indirect Speech in Hungarian

In this guide, we will explore the topic of direct and indirect speech in Hungarian. Understanding how to report speech both directly and indirectly is essential for effective communication in Hungarian. We will learn how to switch between these modes of speech naturally and confidently.

1. Direct Speech

Direct speech refers to the exact words spoken by a person. In Hungarian, when reporting speech directly, we often use the following introductory verbs or phrases:

• mond (to say)
• kérdez (to ask)
• válaszol (to answer)
• üzen (to send a message)
• kijelenti (to declare)
• jelenti (to report)
• ígér (to promise)

Example:

• John said, "I am hungry." - John azt mondta, hogy éhes vagyok.

In direct speech, the sentence structure remains the same as the original speaker's words. However, we need to make a few important changes when reporting speech indirectly.

2. Indirect Speech

Indirect speech refers to reporting someone's words indirectly, without using their exact words. In Hungarian, we make some changes to the tense, pronouns, and word order when reporting speech indirectly.

a. Changes in Pronouns and Verbs

• Pronouns: The pronouns in the reported speech need to be adjusted to reflect the perspective of the reporter. The following pronoun changes usually occur:

  • First person pronouns (e.g., "I", "we") change according to the perspective of the reporter.
  • Second person pronouns (e.g., "you") change based on the perspective of the reported person.
  • Third person pronouns may or may not change based on the context.

• Verbs: The verb tenses often change when reporting speech indirectly. Here are some general rules for verb tense changes:

  • Present tense becomes past tense.
  • Past tense becomes past perfect tense.
  • Future tense becomes conditional tense.

b. Reporting Verbs in Indirect Speech

In indirect speech, we need to introduce the reported speech using appropriate reporting verbs or phrases. The choice of verb or phrase depends on the intended meaning and context. Here are some commonly used reporting verbs or phrases in Hungarian:

• mondta, mondta azt, mondta neki (he/she said)
• kérdezte, kérdezte azt, kérdezte tőle (he/she asked)
• válaszolta, válaszolta azt, válaszolta neki (he/she answered)
• üzent neki (he/she sent a message)
• jelentette, jelentette azt, jelentette neki (he/she reported)
• ígérte, ígérte azt, ígérte neki (he/she promised)

Example:

• John said that he was hungry. - John azt mondta, hogy éhes.

c. Word Order

In indirect speech, it is common to have a change in word order compared to direct speech. The word order becomes more similar to regular sentences in Hungarian. Here are the general guidelines for word order changes:

• Question word order changes to declarative word order (subject + verb + object).
• Subject and verb order may change.
• Other changes may occur based on the specific sentence structure.

Example:

• He asked, "Where are you going?" - Megkérdezte, hogy hová mész.

3. Switching between Direct and Indirect Speech

To switch between direct and indirect speech in Hungarian, follow these steps:

1. Identify the key information and statements from the original speaker.
2. Decide on the appropriate reporting verb or phrase based on the context.
3. Make necessary changes in pronouns, verbs, and word order.
4. Connect the reported speech to the reporting verb or phrase using the conjunction hogy (that).

Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to reporting speech in Hungarian. The more you practice switching between direct and indirect speech, the more natural and fluent you will become.

Conclusion

In this guide, we have explored the topic of direct and indirect speech in Hungarian. You have learned the basics of reporting speech both directly and indirectly, along with the necessary changes in pronouns, verbs, and word order. Use this knowledge to enhance your Hungarian language skills and confidently report speech in different situations. Happy learning!