Adhatják

Adhatják is a Hungarian verb form used to express that a plural subject may or are allowed to give a definite object. It comes from the verb adni (to give), combined with the modal suffix -hat/-het that signals possibility or permission, plus the 3rd-person plural definite-object suffix -ják. The result is a form meaning “they may give it/them,” when the object is definite.

Formation and use

The base adni yields the potential modality adhát- in the plural form, and adding -ják marks that the subject is they and the object is definite. The form adh atják is therefore used when speaking about a plural subject giving a specific object. The object being definite is a key factor that triggers the -ják ending.

Examples

- adhathatják a pénzt: they may give the money.

- adhathatják ezt a könyvet: they may give this book.

- Ha adhathatják az ajándékot, beszéljük meg a részleteket: If they may give the gift, let’s discuss the details.

Notes

Adhatják is more common in written or formal contexts. In everyday speech, speakers often use other modal constructions such as adhatnak (they may give) or tudnak adni (they can give) depending on nuance and object definiteness. The definite-object ending -ják only appears when the object is definite; with indefinite objects, different endings or constructions are used.

See also

Hungarian grammar, adni (to give), mood and modality in Hungarian verbs.