Understanding Magyar Noun Cases
In the Hungarian language, nouns change their form to show their role in a sentence. These different forms are called noun cases. Each case has a special job, like showing who is doing something, where something is happening, or who has something.
The Cases of Magyar Nouns
Important Points
- Nominative Case: This is the base form of the noun and is used for the subject of the sentence.
- Accusative Case: This shows the direct object of the sentence, or what is being acted upon.
- Dative Case: This is used to show the indirect object, or to whom something is given.
- Genitive Case: This shows possession, or who owns something.
- Instrumental Case: This shows what is being used to do something.
- Locative Case: This shows the location where something is happening.
- Superessive Case: This shows something being on top of something else.
- Delative Case: This shows movement off of something.
- Sublative Case: This shows movement onto something.
- Illative Case: This shows movement into something.
- Elative Case: This shows movement out of something.
- Allative Case: This shows movement towards something.
The nominative case is the simplest form of the noun. It's used when the noun is the subject of the sentence, meaning it's doing the action.
Examples
- Macska alszik. (The cat is sleeping.)
- Gyerek játszik. (The child is playing.)
- Autó gyors. (The car is fast.)
The accusative case is used to show the direct object of a sentence. This is the thing that is directly receiving the action.
Examples
- Látom a macskát. (I see the cat.)
- Eszem a kenyeret. (I eat the bread.)
- Olvasom a könyvet. (I read the book.)
The dative case shows to whom something is given. It's like saying 'to' or 'for' someone.
Examples
- Adok egy könyvet a gyerekenek. (I give a book to the child.)
- Írok egy levelet a barátomnak. (I write a letter to my friend.)
- Főzök vacsorát a családomnak. (I cook dinner for my family.)
The genitive case shows possession, like saying something belongs to someone.
Examples
- Gyerek könyve. (The child's book.)
- Tanár autója. (The teacher's car.)
- Kutya háza. (The dog's house.)