Learning Hungarian can be a fascinating journey, especially when you encounter words that seem similar but have different meanings and uses. Two such words are kedvenc and kedvel. At first glance, they might appear related because they both deal with the concept of liking or favoring something. However, their usage in sentences and the nuances they carry are distinct. This article aims to unravel these differences, making it easier for you to use them correctly in your conversations and writings in Hungarian.

Kedvenc

The word kedvenc is a noun and is used to refer to a favorite thing, person, or animal. It directly translates to “favorite” in English. When you want to express that something is your favorite, you use kedvenc.

kedvenc – favorite (noun)

Az én kedvenc könyvem a “Harry Potter”.

In this sentence, kedvenc is used to indicate that “Harry Potter” is my favorite book.

Usage in Sentences

To use kedvenc correctly, you generally place it before the noun it describes. Here are a few more examples:

A kedvenc színem a kék.

This means “My favorite color is blue.” Notice how kedvenc precedes the noun szín (color).

A kedvenc ételem a pizza.

This means “My favorite food is pizza.” Again, kedvenc comes before the noun étel (food).

Kedvel

The word kedvel is a verb and is used to express that you like someone or something. It translates to “to like” in English. The usage of kedvel is different from kedvenc because it is an action word.

kedvel – to like (verb)

Én kedvelem a csokoládét.

In this sentence, kedvelem is the conjugated form of kedvel, meaning “I like chocolate.”

Conjugation of Kedvel

Just like other verbs, kedvel changes form depending on the subject. Here are some conjugations:

– Kedvelem – I like
Én kedvelem a zenét. (I like music.)
– Kedveled – You like (singular, informal)
Te kedveled a sportot. (You like sports.)
– Kedveli – He/She/It likes
Ő kedveli a macskákat. (He/She likes cats.)
– Kedveljük – We like
Mi kedveljük a természetet. (We like nature.)
– Kedvelitek – You all like (plural, informal)
Ti kedvelitek a filmeket. (You all like movies.)
– Kedvelik – They like
Ők kedvelik a kutyákat. (They like dogs.)

Comparing Kedvenc and Kedvel

Now that we have a basic understanding of kedvenc and kedvel, let’s compare them to highlight their differences and similarities.

Grammatical Category

– Kedvenc is a noun.
– Kedvel is a verb.

This fundamental difference sets the stage for their usage. While kedvenc describes a favorite item or person, kedvel describes the action of liking.

Usage in Sentences

– Kedvenc is used to describe a noun.
A kedvenc filmem a “Star Wars”. (My favorite movie is “Star Wars”.)
– Kedvel is used to describe the action of liking.
Én kedvelem a “Star Wars”-t. (I like “Star Wars”.)

Contextual Meaning

– Kedvenc implies a preference or favorite among a category.
– Kedvel implies a general liking or fondness.

For example:
Az én kedvenc sportom a futás. (My favorite sport is running.)
Én kedvelem a futást. (I like running.)

Common Mistakes and Tips

As a language learner, it’s easy to mix up kedvenc and kedvel. Here are some common mistakes and tips to avoid them:

Using Kedvenc as a Verb

Incorrect: Én kedvenc a csokoládét.
Correct: Én kedvelem a csokoládét.

Remember, kedvenc is not a verb, so it cannot be used to describe the action of liking something.

Using Kedvel as a Noun

Incorrect: Az én kedvel filmem a “Inception”.
Correct: Az én kedvenc filmem a “Inception”.

Kedvel is a verb, so it cannot be used to describe a favorite item.

Mixing Up Word Order

Incorrect: A film kedvencem a “Matrix”.
Correct: A kedvenc filmem a “Matrix”.

Ensure that kedvenc precedes the noun it describes.

Practice Exercises

To help solidify your understanding of kedvenc and kedvel, here are some practice exercises:

Fill in the Blanks

1. Én ________ (like) a teát.
Én kedvelem a teát.

2. Az én ________ (favorite) állatom a macska.
Az én kedvenc állatom a macska.

3. Mi ________ (like) a zenét.
Mi kedveljük a zenét.

4. A ________ (favorite) színem a zöld.
A kedvenc színem a zöld.

Translate to Hungarian

1. My favorite book is “Pride and Prejudice.”
Az én kedvenc könyvem a “Pride and Prejudice”.

2. I like ice cream.
Én kedvelem a fagyit.

3. She likes the beach.
Ő kedveli a strandot.

4. Our favorite city is Budapest.
A mi kedvenc városunk Budapest.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between kedvenc and kedvel is crucial for expressing preferences and likings accurately in Hungarian. While kedvenc helps you talk about your favorite things, kedvel allows you to express your general liking for something. By practicing their usage and being mindful of their grammatical categories, you can enhance your Hungarian language skills and communicate more effectively. Keep practicing, and soon enough, using kedvenc and kedvel will become second nature to you.