Question Formation in Hungarian: Step-by-Step Guide and Exercises

Mastering question formation in Hungarian can be a rewarding challenge for English speakers, as it involves understanding unique syntactic structures and verb conjugations. Unlike English, where word order and auxiliary verbs play a crucial role in forming questions, Hungarian relies on specific particles and inflection to indicate interrogative sentences. By diving into this step-by-step guide, learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to construct both simple and complex questions in Hungarian, from basic yes-no queries to more nuanced wh-questions. Our carefully curated exercises are designed to reinforce these concepts and provide ample practice for learners at various proficiency levels. Each section of the guide introduces a new aspect of question formation, accompanied by clear explanations and examples. Interactive exercises follow each instructional segment, allowing learners to apply their knowledge immediately and receive instant feedback. Whether you are a beginner trying to grasp the fundamentals or an advanced student looking to refine your skills, this guide will help you navigate the intricacies of Hungarian question formation with confidence.

Exercise 1

1. *Hány* óra van? (number of hours)

2. *Hol* laksz? (place of residence)

3. *Mit* csinálsz? (activity)

4. *Mikor* jössz? (time of arrival)

5. *Ki* az új tanár? (person identification)

6. *Milyen* színű az autód? (color description)

7. *Miért* késel? (reason for being late)

8. *Hogyan* készülsz a vizsgára? (method of preparation)

9. *Kivel* mész moziba? (companion for cinema)

10. *Mennyi* pénzt hoztál? (amount of money)

Exercise 2

1. *Hogyan* mész a munkába? (Question word for "how").

2. *Hol* van a könyvem? (Question word for "where").

3. *Mit* eszel ebédre? (Question word for "what").

4. *Mikor* kezdődik a film? (Question word for "when").

5. *Ki* jön veled a moziba? (Question word for "who").

6. *Mennyi* időt töltöttél a feladattal? (Question word for "how much/many").

7. *Miért* nem jöttél el a találkozóra? (Question word for "why").

8. *Milyen* könyvet olvasol? (Question word for "what kind").

9. *Kivel* beszéltél tegnap este? (Question word for "with whom").

10. *Hová* megyünk nyaralni? (Question word for "where to").

Exercise 3

1. *Mikor* érkezik a vonat? (question word for time)

2. *Hol* van a könyvem? (question word for location)

3. *Mit* eszel ebédre? (question word for object)

4. *Ki* az új tanár? (question word for person)

5. *Melyik* filmet nézzük meg ma este? (question word for choice)

6. *Hogyan* készülsz a vizsgára? (question word for method)

7. *Mennyi* időnk van még? (question word for quantity)

8. *Miért* késel mindig? (question word for reason)

9. *Mivel* utazol a munkahelyedre? (question word for means)

10. *Kivel* mész a moziba? (question word for companion)