Language: Tenses

In Hungarian grammar, the concept of tenses refers to the different verb forms used to indicate when an action takes place in relation to the present, past, or future. Tenses are formed by combining the verb stem with various suffixes that convey information about time.

There are several tenses in Hungarian, including the present, past, and future tenses. Each tense has its own set of suffixes that are added to the verb stem. For example, in the present tense, the suffixes -ok, -ek, -ök, or -öm are added to the verb stem, depending on the vowel harmony rules. In the past tense, the suffixes -tam, -tél, -tunk, or -tak are used, again following the vowel harmony rules. The future tense is formed by adding the suffix -ok, -ek, -ök, or -öm to the verb stem, along with the auxiliary verb “fog” (will).

Understanding tenses is essential in mastering Hungarian grammar, as they are used to express actions in different time frames.