Kóstolta

Kóstolta is the third-person singular past definite form of the Hungarian verb kóstol, which means to taste or to sample. In this form the action is completed and the direct object, if present, is definite. For example: Ő kóstolta meg a levest, meaning “He tasted the soup.” The corresponding past indefinite form is kóstolt, used when the object is not definite or not specified.

Morphology and usage notes: kóstol is a basic Hungarian verb, and kóstolta is formed from the stem kóstol with the past definite suffix -ta/-te, plus phonological adjustments that yield -olta in this case. Hungarian distinguishes past definite (with a definite object) from past indefinite forms, and this distinction is reflected in the choice between kóstolta and forms like kóstolt. The word can appear with various subjects, and with objects of different definiteness, for instance: A séf megkóstolta a levest (The chef tasted the soup) or Ő kóstolta meg azt (He tasted that).

Etymology and terminology: kóstol is a native Hungarian verb for tasting. The exact historical origin of kóstol is not always specified in concise references, but it is part of standard Hungarian vocabulary and follows regular conjugation patterns for verbs of its class.

In typical use, kóstolta conveys a completed tasting action by a specific subject, often with an explicit object, whereas the related form kóstolt expresses a past, non-definite tasting. The imperative form is kóstoldd meg, meaning “taste this” or “try this.”