How do you say ‘this one’ and ‘that one’?

Understanding Demonstrative Pronouns in Hungarian

What are Demonstrative Pronouns?

Demonstrative pronouns are words used to indicate specific items or people in relation to the speaker. In English, these are “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.” When you want to specify “this one” or “that one,” you’re using a demonstrative pronoun to single out an object.

The Basics in Hungarian

In Hungarian, demonstrative pronouns are slightly more complex than in English because they must agree with the noun’s number (singular or plural) and, in some cases, the noun’s suffixes. Hungarian also distinguishes between proximity (“this” for something near, “that” for something farther away).

How to Say “This One” in Hungarian

The Hungarian word for “this one” is ez (pronounced “ez”). This word is used for singular, close-by objects or people. If you’re pointing to something near you or something you’re holding, you would use “ez.”

• Example: Ez a könyv. (This one is a book.)
• To emphasize “this one,” especially when making a choice, you might say: Ez itt (This one here.)

If you want to refer to a plural “these ones,” the word changes to ezek.

• Example: Ezek a könyvek. (These are the books.)

How to Say “That One” in Hungarian

For “that one,” Hungarian uses az (pronounced “oz”). Use “az” when pointing to an object or person that is farther away from you.

• Example: Az az autó. (That one is a car.)
• To emphasize distance, you might say: Az ott (That one there.)

For plural, “those ones” becomes azok.

• Example: Azok a házak. (Those are the houses.)

Using “This One” and “That One” in Sentences

When using these pronouns, Hungarian often repeats the noun after the demonstrative for clarity. For example:

• Ez a kabát tetszik. (I like this coat/this one.)
• Az a kabát túl nagy. (That coat/that one is too big.)

However, if the context is clear, you can use ez or az alone:

• Ez tetszik. (I like this one.)
• Az nem tetszik. (I don’t like that one.)

Tips for Mastering Hungarian Demonstratives

• Practice with real objects: Point at items around you and say “ez” or “az” depending on their proximity.
• Use with nouns: Pair demonstratives with common objects to get used to their patterns, such as “ez a telefon” (this phone) or “az a szék” (that chair).
• Listen to native speakers: Notice how Hungarians emphasize proximity with “itt” (here) and “ott” (there).
• Try Talkpal’s exercises: Use Talkpal’s AI-powered Hungarian practice to drill these structures in realistic dialogues.

Summary

To say “this one” in Hungarian, use “ez” for singular or “ezek” for plural. For “that one,” use “az” for singular or “azok” for plural. Remember to match the demonstrative with the noun and use contextual clues like proximity to choose the right word. With practice and the interactive tools available on Talkpal, these essential Hungarian pronouns will quickly become second nature in your conversations.