Kísértheti

Kísértheti is a Hungarian verb form that expresses possibility or hypothetical action for the third person singular. It is formed by attaching the suffix -theti to the stem kísér-, which comes from the verb kísérni (to accompany) or other verbs with the same stem. The exact sense of kísértheti depends on which underlying verb it derives from and the surrounding context, but the form generally conveys that the action could occur under certain conditions.

Morphology and usage

The -theti suffix is a common Hungarian device for marking potential or hypothetical action. When combined with a stem, it yields a finite form that corresponds roughly to “could accompany” or “might accompany,” with the precise meaning shaped by the lexical meaning of the base verb. Kísértheti can appear in subordinate clauses or in contexts where the speaker discusses possibilities, obligations, or hypothetical scenarios. The form is grammatical in formal and informal registers and can be used with different subjects, depending on the sentence.

Examples

A testőrség kísértheti a minisztert. (The bodyguards could accompany the minister.)

A történetben a hang kísértheti a házat. (In the story, the sound might haunt/haunt the house, depending on the intended base verb.)

Notes

Because kísértheti blends the stem kísér- with a generic potential suffix, its exact meaning rests on the chosen base verb and the surrounding linguistic context. It illustrates how Hungarian uses verb stems plus suffixes to express modality and hypothetical action.