Adták

Adták is a Hungarian verb form derived from the verb adni, meaning to give. It represents the past tense for a plural subject with a definite direct object. In Hungarian, verb endings reflect person, number, tense, and object definiteness; adták is the past definite form for 3rd person plural (they gave) when the direct object is definite.

Usage and contrasts:

- Adták is used when the subject is a plural noun or pronoun and the object is definite. For example: A díjakat adták át a nyerteseknek. (The prizes were handed over to the winners.)

- The corresponding indefinite past tense form for 3rd person plural is adtak, which is used when the direct object is indefinite or not specified. For example: Adták / Azt nem tudom, hogy adtak-e? (They gave [something], I don’t know if they gave anything.)

Forms related to adni in the past tense for different persons include: adtam (I gave), adtál (you gave), adott (he/she gave), adtunk (we gave), adtatok (you all gave), adtak (they gave, indefinite). Adták specifically marks a definite object and is common in narrative, reporting, and descriptive writing.

Etymology and usage notes:

- The form is etymologically tied to the base verb adni and is one of the standard past-tense constructions in Hungarian.

- In everyday speech and written Hungarian, adták appears frequently when recounting actions where the giver and the definite thing given are specified or can be clearly identified.

See also: adni, past tense forms in Hungarian, definite vs. indefinite object in Hungarian grammar.