Learning Hungarian can be a rewarding yet challenging endeavor, especially when it comes to understanding the nuances of temporal sequencing. Two words that often cause confusion for learners are **akkor** and **azután**. Both are used to indicate a sequence of events, but their applications and nuances are different. This article aims to clarify these differences and provide practical examples to help you master their usage.
Akkor
The Hungarian word akkor is commonly used to mean “then” or “at that time.” It is often used to refer to a specific point in time, either in the past or the future, depending on the context. It can also be used to express a conditional “if” statement.
Akkor – then, at that time
Akkor mentem el a boltba, amikor esett az eső.
(I went to the store then, when it was raining.)
In this example, **akkor** is used to specify the exact time when the action of going to the store took place. It ties the action to a specific event, in this case, the rain.
Usage in Conditional Statements
Akkor can also be used in conditional statements to mean “in that case” or “then.”
Akkor – in that case, then
Ha esik az eső, akkor nem megyünk kirándulni.
(If it rains, then we will not go hiking.)
Here, **akkor** is used to indicate the consequence of the condition stated in the first clause. It helps to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
Azután
The Hungarian word azután translates to “after that” or “thereafter.” It is used to indicate that one event follows another in time. Unlike **akkor**, which pinpoints a specific moment, **azután** emphasizes the sequence of events.
Azután – after that, thereafter
Elmentünk vacsorázni, és azután moziba mentünk.
(We went out to dinner, and after that, we went to the movies.)
In this example, **azután** is used to show that the action of going to the movies occurred after the action of having dinner. It helps to create a timeline of events, making the sequence clear.
Usage in Narratives
Azután is particularly useful in storytelling and narratives, where it helps to link events in a coherent sequence.
Azután – thereafter, subsequently
Először megírtam a házi feladatomat, azután pedig játszottam egy kicsit.
(First, I did my homework, and thereafter, I played a bit.)
In this sentence, **azután** helps to structure the narrative, making it clear that the playtime occurred after the homework was completed.
Comparing Akkor and Azután
While both **akkor** and **azután** are used to indicate a sequence of events, their primary difference lies in their focus. **Akkor** is more about pinpointing a specific moment in time, whereas **azután** is about establishing a sequence or order of events.
Contextual Differences
Let’s look at some examples to highlight the contextual differences between **akkor** and **azután**.
Akkor – then, at that time
Akkor kezdtem el dolgozni, amikor befejeztem az egyetemet.
(I started working then, when I finished university.)
Azután – after that, thereafter
Befejeztem az egyetemet, és azután kezdtem el dolgozni.
(I finished university, and after that, I started working.)
In the first example, **akkor** is used to tie the action of starting work to the specific event of finishing university. In the second example, **azután** is used to establish the sequence, indicating that the action of starting work followed the action of finishing university.
Additional Vocabulary
To further enhance your understanding, let’s look at some additional Hungarian vocabulary related to time and sequencing. These words will help you create more complex and nuanced sentences.
Először – first, at first
Először megreggeliztem, majd elmentem dolgozni.
(First, I had breakfast, then I went to work.)
Majd – then, later
Megnéztem egy filmet, majd elmentem aludni.
(I watched a movie, then I went to sleep.)
Közben – meanwhile, during
Főztem vacsorát, közben hallgattam a rádiót.
(I cooked dinner, meanwhile, I listened to the radio.)
Utána – after, afterwards
Megnéztük a naplementét, utána elmentünk vacsorázni.
(We watched the sunset, afterwards, we went to dinner.)
Végül – finally, eventually
Végül mindenki hazament.
(Finally, everyone went home.)
Practical Exercises
To help solidify your understanding, let’s go through a few exercises. Try to fill in the blanks with either **akkor** or **azután**, and then check your answers.
1. Beállítottam az ébresztőt, ______ elaludtam.
azután
(I set the alarm clock, after that, I fell asleep.)
2. Felkeltem, ______ készítettem egy kávét.
azután
(I got up, after that, I made a coffee.)
3. Amikor megérkeztem, ______ kezdődött a találkozó.
akkor
(When I arrived, the meeting started then.)
4. Ha esik a hó, ______ építünk egy hóembert.
akkor
(If it snows, then we will build a snowman.)
5. Megnéztük a filmet, és ______ elmentünk vacsorázni.
azután
(We watched the movie, and after that, we went to dinner.)
Common Mistakes
Even advanced learners can sometimes mix up **akkor** and **azután**. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:
1. Using **akkor** to indicate a sequence of events when **azután** would be more appropriate.
– Incorrect: Elmentünk a parkba, és akkor sétáltunk.
– Correct: Elmentünk a parkba, és azután sétáltunk.
(We went to the park, and after that, we walked.)
2. Using **azután** to pinpoint a specific moment in time when **akkor** would be more appropriate.
– Incorrect: Azután mentem el a boltba, amikor esett az eső.
– Correct: Akkor mentem el a boltba, amikor esett az eső.
(I went to the store then, when it was raining.)
Conclusion
Mastering the use of **akkor** and **azután** is crucial for effectively communicating sequences and specific points in time in Hungarian. Remember that **akkor** is used to pinpoint a specific moment or condition, while **azután** is used to establish a sequence of events. By practicing with these words and incorporating them into your daily conversations, you will become more proficient in Hungarian temporal sequencing.
Keep practicing and immersing yourself in the language, and soon enough, you will find that these distinctions become second nature. Good luck with your Hungarian studies!
