Hungarian verbs conjugate differently depending on whether the object of the sentence is specific or unspecific.

This grammar feature is a new concept for many learners because English doesn’t change verbs based on the object.

Once you learn the basic rules, choosing the right verb ending becomes second nature.

I’ll break down exactly when to use definite and indefinite conjugations in Hungarian with clear examples.

What is indefinite conjugation?

Indefinite conjugation is the standard verb form you’ll typically learn first in Hungarian.

You must use it when a sentence has no direct object at all.

You also use it when the direct object is general, unknown, or not a specific thing.

In traditional Hungarian grammar, this is called alanyi ragozás (subjective conjugation).

When to use the indefinite form

There are strict rules that trigger the indefinite conjugation in Hungarian.

If your sentence meets any of the following conditions, you must use the indefinite verb endings.

Intransitive verbs

Verbs that can’t take a direct object always use the indefinite conjugation.

Examples include sleeping, sitting, walking, or running.

The indefinite article “egy”

If the object is preceded by the word egy (a/an), it’s indefinite.

Plural nouns without an article

When you talk about things in general plural terms, you use the indefinite form.

Uncountable nouns without an article

General mass nouns like water, bread, or money trigger the indefinite conjugation.

Question words like mit and kit

When asking “what?” (mit?) or “who?” (kit?), the verb must be indefinite.

First and second-person pronouns

This is an important rule to remember.

If the object of the sentence is “me” (engem), “you” (téged), “us” (minket), or “you all” (titeket), the verb must remain indefinite.

What is definite conjugation?

Definite conjugation is used when the verb acts upon a specific, known object.

It tells the listener that both of you know exactly what’s being talked about.

In Hungarian grammar, this is known as tárgyas ragozás (objective conjugation).

When to use the definite form

Just like the indefinite form, the definite form has clear triggers.

If your sentence includes any of the following types of objects, you must use the definite verb endings.

The definite articles “a” and “az”

Any time the object is preceded by a or az (the), the verb is definite.

Proper nouns and names

Names of people, cities, and countries are specific by nature.

Demonstrative pronouns

Words like ezt (this) and azt (that) always trigger the definite conjugation.

Possessive objects

If the object belongs to someone (my car, your book, his house), it’s specific.

Colloquially in some regions, Hungarians drop the accusative “-t” marker on possessive objects, but the verb always remains definite.

Third-person pronouns

Unlike “me” and “you”, third-person pronouns like “him/her/it” (őt) and “them” (őket) require the definite conjugation.

Even if the pronoun is omitted from the sentence, the definite verb ending implies it.

The special -lak/-lek ending

Hungarian has one unique verb suffix that bridges the gap between subject and object.

When the subject is “I” and the direct object is “you”, we use a special verb ending.

This ending is -lak for back-vowel verbs and -lek for front-vowel verbs.

You don’t need to say the pronoun “you” (téged) because the suffix already includes it.

Conjugation examples in HTML tables

To help you see the difference in endings, here’s how a regular back-vowel verb and a front-vowel verb are conjugated in the present tense.

Notice how the endings change entirely based on whether the object is indefinite or definite.

Back-vowel verb: látni (to see)

Front-vowel verb: kérni (to ask/want)