Hívjanak

The Hungarian verb form hívjanak is a verb phrase derived from the infinitive hívni, meaning “to call” or “to summon.” It is the third‑person plural subjunctive form of the verb, used to express a request, suggestion, invitation, or polite command directed at a group. In English it may be rendered as “let them call,” “may they call,” or “please call” depending on context.

The morphological construction follows Hungarian verb conjugation rules. The root hív‑ is combined with the subjunctive suffix –jan, and the third‑person plural ending –ak is appended, giving hív‑jan‑ak. This form contrasts with the imperative “hívjatok” (plural imperative) and the present tense “hívnak” (they call). The subjunctive in Hungarian expresses conditional, desiderative, or polite nuances that are absent from the simple imperative, making hívjanak suitable for formal or courteous speech.

Typical contexts for using hívjanak include invitations (“hívjanak meg a pihenőbe” – “they should be invited to rest”), permissions (“hívjanak meg a bácsik” – “may they call their parents”), or suggestions (“hívjanak meg a barátokat” – “let them call the friends”). It can also appear in written directives such as signs or notices: “Kérem, hívjanak meg étteremvezető” – “Please call the restaurant manager.” The form conveys a respectful tone toward the addressee or addressed group.

Related forms are hívja (singular, third person) and hívjanak (plural, subjunctive) as well as hívjon (singular, subjunctive). The polite imperative hívjanátok (second person plural, formal) is used when speaking directly to a group of people in a courteous manner. All these variations are part of the broader Hungarian system that distinguishes between the subject’s number, the verb mood, and levels of politeness.

The word hívni and its derivatives have roots in Proto‑Uralic languages, with the semantic field of “calling” remaining stable across centuries. Hungarian maintains its Latin‑based morphology while continuing to use forms like hívjanak for formal politeness, demonstrating the language’s blending of ancient and modern grammatical features.