Késnénk

Késnénk is a Hungarian verb form that represents the present conditional mood of the verb késni, meaning “to be late” or “to delay.” The form conveys a hypothetical lateness and is most commonly analyzed as the first-person plural conditional: mi késnénk, “we would be late.” It is built from the stem kés- with the conditional suffix -nénk, and it follows standard Hungarian vowel harmony and conjugation patterns for conditional forms.

Usage and function

Késnénk is used to discuss lateness in hypothetical or planned scenarios. It often appears in conditional clauses or in statements about what would happen under certain circumstances. For example, it can express that a delay would occur if a given condition were met, or in planning contexts where punctuality depends on other factors. The form can stand alone with an understood subject, or be combined with other verbs in subordinate clauses.

Related forms

The conditional mood has corresponding forms for other persons: késnék (I would be late), késnél (you would be late), késne (he/she/it would be late), késnétek (you all would be late), and késnének (they would be late). This family of forms shares the same root kés- and the habitual -né/-nénk endings, adjusted for person and number.

Etymology and pronunciation

Késnénk comes from the verb késni, plus the conditional suffix -nénk. The pronunciation is roughly “kays-NENK,” with the accent on the first syllable. The form is standard in written and spoken Hungarian and does not carry specialized technical meaning beyond the conditional construction.

See also

késni; késés; conditional mood in Hungarian; Hungarian verb conjugation.