Elkezdték

Elkezdték is a Hungarian verb form meaning “they started” or “they began.” It is the third-person plural past tense form of the verb kezdeni (to begin) with the separable prefix el-, which gives a perfective nuance. The form is used when referring to an action that was initiated by a plural subject in the past.

In terms of grammar, elkezdték consists of the prefix el- attached to the stem kezdt-, derived from kezdeni, and the past-tense plural ending -ék. The exact ending can vary in Hungarian depending on object definiteness, but elkezdték is the standard written spell­ing for the past plural form. The verb is transitive and typically accompanies a direct object or a clause indicating what was started, such as elkezdték a projektet (they started the project) or elkezdték a tanfolyamot (they began the course).

Usage notes and nuance: elkezdték conveys that the action began at a point in the past and is often used to describe the initiation of a larger process or activity. It is frequently found in narrative and reporting contexts. The prefix el- can contrast with megkezdeni, another commonly used verb meaning “to begin” or “to commence,” where megkezdeni emphasizes the start of a process more directly.

Etymology: kezdeni is a native Hungarian verb, and the noun kezdet means “beginning.” The prefix el- is a common separable prefix that can modify aspect, direction, or completion, as in elkezdeni to begin, with el- highlighting the initiation of the action.

See also: kezdeni; elkezdés; megkezdeni.