Learning Hungarian can be both an exciting and challenging experience. One of the common areas where learners often get confused is understanding the difference between the words hosszú and hosszan, which both relate to the concept of length in English. Although they may seem similar, they are used in different contexts and have distinct meanings. This article aims to clarify the differences between these two words and provide you with practical examples to use them correctly.

Hosszú

Hosszú is an adjective in Hungarian that means “long.” It is used to describe the length of objects, time periods, and events. This word focuses on the physical dimension or duration of something.

Hosszú
Az út nagyon hosszú volt.
The road was very long.

When using hosszú, it is important to remember that it modifies nouns. For instance, you can describe a long book, a long journey, or a long speech.

Könyv – book
Ez egy nagyon hosszú könyv.
This is a very long book.

Út – road
Az út hosszú és fárasztó volt.
The road was long and tiring.

Beszéd – speech
A beszéd túl hosszú volt.
The speech was too long.

Hosszan

Hosszan is an adverb in Hungarian that means “lengthily” or “for a long time.” It describes the manner or duration of an action rather than the length of an object or period.

Hosszan
Hosszan beszélt a témáról.
He spoke lengthily about the topic.

When using hosszan, it is crucial to note that it modifies verbs. It tells us how an action is performed or how long an action lasts.

Beszél – to speak
Hosszan beszélt a múltjáról.
He spoke lengthily about his past.

Gondolkodik – to think
Hosszan gondolkodott a válaszon.
She thought for a long time about the answer.

Sétál – to walk
Hosszan sétáltunk a parkban.
We walked for a long time in the park.

Comparing Hosszú and Hosszan

Understanding the difference between hosszú and hosszan can be challenging, but it becomes easier with practice. Let’s look at some more examples to see how these words are used differently.

Hosszú nap – long day
Ez egy hosszú nap volt.
This was a long day.

Hosszan tartó nap – lengthy day
Hosszan tartó napunk volt.
We had a lengthy day.

Hosszú film – long movie
A film nagyon hosszú volt.
The movie was very long.

Hosszan néz – to look lengthily
Hosszan nézett az ablakon keresztül.
He looked lengthily through the window.

Practice Makes Perfect

To master the use of hosszú and hosszan, it is essential to practice using them in sentences. Here are some exercises to help reinforce your understanding:

1. Translate the following sentences into Hungarian, using the appropriate form of “long” or “lengthy”:
– The marathon was long.
– She spoke lengthily about her experiences.
– We had a long journey.
– They thought about the problem for a long time.
– He read a lengthy book.

2. Write your own sentences using hosszú and hosszan to describe different situations and actions.

3. Discuss with a language partner or teacher the differences between hosszú and hosszan and practice using them in conversation.

Conclusion

Mastering the difference between hosszú and hosszan is a significant step in becoming proficient in Hungarian. Remember that hosszú is used to describe the length or duration of objects and events, while hosszan is used to describe the manner or length of time an action takes. By practicing and using these words in context, you will gain confidence and improve your Hungarian language skills. Happy learning!