Látok

Látok is the first-person singular present indicative form of the Hungarian verb látni, meaning “to see.” It denotes visual perception in the present and can also be used metaphorically to express understanding or realizing something.

Grammar and usage notes: Hungarian distinguishes definite and indefinite direct objects in the present tense. Látni follows this pattern, so speakers typically use different forms depending on whether the object is definite or indefinite. When the object is definite, the common forms include látom, látod, látja, látjuk, látjátok, látják. When the object is indefinite, forms such as látok are used. The distinction affects both meaning and emphasis in a sentence. The basic meaning of látok remains “I see,” but the nuances change with object definiteness.

Examples:

- Látom a madarat az ágon. (I can see the bird on the branch.)

- Látok egy madarat az utcán. (I see a bird in the street.)

- Látod a napot az égen? (Do you see the sun in the sky?)

Related forms include látni (the infinitive), látás (sight/vision), and other conjugated present forms for different persons. The root lát is part of a core, native Hungarian verb system and is widely used in everyday speech to express perception, attention, or comprehension, both literal and figurative. See also látás, látni.