Learning a new language can be a rewarding yet challenging endeavor, especially when it comes to understanding the grammar rules that govern it. Hungarian, with its complex structure and rich history, is no exception. One of the fundamental aspects of mastering Hungarian grammar is understanding how to use relative pronouns. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to relative pronouns in Hungarian for English speakers.
What are Relative Pronouns?
Relative pronouns are words used to link clauses together. They help provide more information about a noun mentioned earlier in the sentence, referred to as the antecedent. In English, common relative pronouns include “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” and “that.” Hungarian also has its set of relative pronouns, which function similarly but have unique characteristics and rules.
Hungarian Relative Pronouns
In Hungarian, relative pronouns are used to connect a relative clause to the main clause, providing additional information about a noun. The main relative pronouns in Hungarian are:
– aki (who)
– ami (which, that)
– amely (which, that)
– ahol (where)
– amikor (when)
– amilyen (what kind of)
– amennyi (how much, how many)
Let’s delve into each of these relative pronouns, their usage, and examples to clarify their roles in Hungarian grammar.
Aki (Who)
The pronoun aki is used to refer to people. It corresponds to the English “who” or “whom.” It can be used in both subject and object positions within a sentence.
Example:
– Az ember, aki itt lakik, a barátom.
(The person who lives here is my friend.)
– Az ember, akit itt láttam, a barátom.
(The person whom I saw here is my friend.)
Notice how aki changes to akit in the accusative case.
Ami (Which, That)
The pronoun ami is used to refer to things or abstract concepts. It is equivalent to the English “which” or “that” when referring to non-human antecedents.
Example:
– A ház, ami a dombon áll, nagyon régi.
(The house which stands on the hill is very old.)
– A könyv, amit olvasok, nagyon érdekes.
(The book that I am reading is very interesting.)
Just like aki, ami also changes to amit in the accusative case.
Amely (Which, That)
The pronoun amely is another relative pronoun used for things, often interchangeable with ami. However, amely is more formal and is commonly used in written language.
Example:
– Az autó, amely az utcán parkol, az enyém.
(The car which is parked on the street is mine.)
– A történet, amelyet meséltél, nagyon érdekes volt.
(The story that you told was very interesting.)
Ahol (Where)
The pronoun ahol is used to refer to places. It corresponds to the English “where.”
Example:
– Az étterem, ahol tegnap vacsoráztunk, nagyon jó volt.
(The restaurant where we had dinner yesterday was very good.)
– A város, ahol születtem, gyönyörű.
(The city where I was born is beautiful.)
Amikor (When)
The pronoun amikor is used to refer to time. It is equivalent to the English “when.”
Example:
– Az idő, amikor találkoztunk, felejthetetlen volt.
(The time when we met was unforgettable.)
– Az év, amikor elköltöztünk, nehéz volt.
(The year when we moved was difficult.)
Amilyen (What Kind of)
The pronoun amilyen is used to describe characteristics or qualities. It can be translated as “what kind of” or “such as.”
Example:
– Olyan könyvet keresek, amilyen neked is van.
(I am looking for a book such as the one you have.)
– Az a ház, amilyen a szomszédnak van, nagyon tetszik nekem.
(The house such as the neighbor’s is very appealing to me.)
Amennyi (How Much, How Many)
The pronoun amennyi is used to refer to quantities. It corresponds to the English “how much” or “how many.”
Example:
– Annyi pénzt adok, amennyit csak kérsz.
(I will give you as much money as you ask for.)
– Az az idő, amennyi még hátra van, elegendő lesz.
(The time that remains will be enough.)
Declension of Relative Pronouns
Hungarian is an agglutinative language, which means that suffixes are added to root words to indicate grammatical relationships and roles within the sentence. Relative pronouns in Hungarian are subject to declension, which means they change form to indicate case, number, and sometimes gender.
Declension of Aki and Ami
The relative pronouns aki and ami undergo changes depending on their grammatical role in the sentence. Here are some of the forms they can take:
– Nominative: aki, ami
– Accusative: akit, amit
– Dative: akinek, aminek
– Instrumental: akivel, amivel
– Superessive: akin, amin
Example:
– Az ember, akivel beszéltem, nagyon kedves volt.
(The person with whom I spoke was very kind.)
– A könyv, amin dolgozom, hamarosan kész lesz.
(The book on which I am working will be finished soon.)
Declension of Amely
The relative pronoun amely also changes form based on its grammatical role. Here are some forms:
– Nominative: amely
– Accusative: amelyet
– Dative: amelynek
– Instrumental: amellyel
– Superessive: amelyen
Example:
– A fa, amelyen a madár ül, nagyon magas.
(The tree on which the bird is sitting is very tall.)
– A ház, amelyet megvettünk, nagy felújítást igényel.
(The house which we bought requires extensive renovation.)
Combining Relative Pronouns with Prepositions
In Hungarian, relative pronouns can be combined with prepositions to form more complex relative clauses. These combinations are similar to those in English, such as “to whom,” “for which,” and “with which.”
Example:
– A barát, akivel utaztam, nagyon jó társaság volt.
(The friend with whom I traveled was very good company.)
– Az épület, amely mellett elmentünk, nagyon régi volt.
(The building next to which we walked was very old.)
When combining relative pronouns with prepositions, the preposition typically precedes the pronoun, similar to English.
Relative Clauses with Multiple Relative Pronouns
In some sentences, you might encounter multiple relative pronouns. These can be used to provide more detailed information about the antecedent.
Example:
– Az ember, aki itt lakik és akinek a háza a dombon áll, a barátom.
(The person who lives here and whose house stands on the hill is my friend.)
– A könyv, amit olvasok és amelyet ajánlottak, nagyon érdekes.
(The book that I am reading and which was recommended is very interesting.)
Practice and Application
Understanding relative pronouns in Hungarian is crucial, but practice is essential for mastery. Here are a few tips to help you practice and apply what you have learned:
1. **Create Sentences:** Try forming sentences using each relative pronoun. Start with simple sentences and gradually increase complexity.
2. **Read Hungarian Texts:** Reading Hungarian literature, news articles, or even children’s books can help you see how relative pronouns are used in context.
3. **Write Paragraphs:** Write short paragraphs or essays using multiple relative pronouns. This will help reinforce your understanding and improve your writing skills.
4. **Speak with Native Speakers:** Engage in conversations with native Hungarian speakers. Practicing speaking will help you become more comfortable using relative pronouns in real-time.
5. **Use Language Learning Apps:** There are several language learning apps that offer exercises and quizzes on Hungarian grammar, including relative pronouns. These can provide additional practice and feedback.
Conclusion
Relative pronouns are an integral part of Hungarian grammar, helping to link clauses and provide additional information about a noun. While they may seem complex at first, understanding their forms, uses, and declensions will greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Hungarian. By practicing and applying these concepts, you will gain confidence and proficiency in using relative pronouns in your Hungarian language journey. Happy learning!
